A couple of days ago my 2000 UC would not start. After hours of trying to figure out what was wrong, I unplugged my PC and and presto it fired right up and runs good now. BUT today I noticed some pinging in the engine. Does this mean the engine is running too lean? Also do I need to remove my lower fairings now that the weather is warming up to help keep the engine cool?

 

My bike runs 25º cooler ( measured oil temp) with the lowers on- 105º ambient temperature. I did 2 22 mile loops at 55 mph, lowers on, lowers off.

The lowers order the air increasing air flow volume and velocity across the motor- other wise the turbulent air off the fender reduces air cooling.

this increased air flow may increase the heat felt by the rider, as more heat is carried away, and past the legs ( blow torch effect)


pinging is caused by lean mixture, too advanced ignition timing, low octane fuel or very high combustion chamber temps ( which can be caused by lean mixture).


Check your PC settings to start if you know the fuel is good

Mike

 

Ya the infamous power commander it sounds like preignition could be part of the problem. Is the bike fuel injected if so there are some options to tune the bike with out using the Power Commander ask your local Harley dealer for a cartridge down load. Magmo fuel injection is not the greatest for performance but can function well if a proper HD download is installed. That being said it would not surprise me at all if there is another after market company out there that has another means of tuning. Power Commander are good in there own right I just dont trust them on Harleys

 

Pre ignition can also accur by using low octane fuel. Octane is fuels resistance to burn, allowing fuel to get to its full compression before ignition is more ideal. So good 91 oct fual and proper tuning will give you the best of what yer gonna want

 

I do use only high octane fuel, but I never noticed this pinging until I unhooked the pc and plugged the factory ecm back up without it. My bike won't start with the PC hooked up.

 

Unfortunately I think you need a new tuner. I've got nothing against Power Commanders, I run one, but yours seems to be broken. You could try reloading a map again to see if it reboots. Or send it back to DynoJet for repair. Or look for another one.

I bought my PCIII complete in the box on eBay for $75.00 shipped.

 

yes, pining is too lean

 

Use the Harley super tuner you wont regret it. Sense you said your using the right fuel your just not tuned correctly right now for what your running plain and simple

 

Why do you think the tuner was on there in the first place? You're likely to burn the engine up if you don't do something soon!

 

A+!!! And DO NOT get a HD download!!! It keeps you running EPA lean. It defeats the whole reason for gettting a fuel management system.