Update: Still hesitating engine after SERT--Help!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
After a couple more days of the same thing (after at least 30 minutes of riding before issue occurred), I took it back to the shop for the tech to ride. He also experienced the problem. The Harley tech said it was a lean engine problem.
I asked what the fix is, and they said a tuner. I decided to buy their recommended "fix" for the lean engine...a SERT and Dyno (also a 15K service).
I asked what the fix is, and they said a tuner. I decided to buy their recommended "fix" for the lean engine...a SERT and Dyno (also a 15K service).
This is similar to the problems I was having with my '07, but in my case it was the TPS, and its your good fortune that you don't have one. There is a connector on top the induction module of some (all?) TBW bikes that can cause problems like this because of bad contacts. Also, a leak in the corrugated hose inside the tank can cause fuel-pressure problems. Other possibilities might be a defective spark plug or plug wire, but I wouldn't bet any money on either since you aren't getting any fault codes. Clogged gas cap? Maybe, and that should be easy to diagnose.
Again, I would cease talking to that dealer until you call HD CS, and tell them the entire story of how they diagnosed the problem as a $1000 fix that came out of your pocket, which ultimately didn't fix anything. They will probably have a service rep look at the bike and they will go from there. You haven't been given good service, IMO.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 86
From: Centeral Coast, California
Baloney. As has already been said, a new bike will run smoothly right out of the box with no tuner or dyno tune and without misfiring. If it is running so lean as to make it misfire it is a warranty issue. I would call HD customer service and tell them what the dealer said and what they sold you as a fix. I would demand a refund, as they had no business selling you a bill of goods that they knew should've been handled as a warranty issue.
This is similar to the problems I was having with my '07, but in my case it was the TPS, and its your good fortune that you don't have one. There is a connector on top the induction module of some (all?) TBW bikes that can cause problems like this because of bad contacts. Also, a leak in the corrugated hose inside the tank can cause fuel-pressure problems. Other possibilities might be a defective spark plug or plug wire, but I wouldn't bet any money on either since you aren't getting any fault codes. Clogged gas cap? Maybe, and that should be easy to diagnose.
Again, I would cease talking to that dealer until you call HD CS, and tell them the entire story of how they diagnosed the problem as a $1000 fix that came out of your pocket, which ultimately didn't fix anything. They will probably have a service rep look at the bike and they will go from there. You haven't been given good service, IMO.
This is similar to the problems I was having with my '07, but in my case it was the TPS, and its your good fortune that you don't have one. There is a connector on top the induction module of some (all?) TBW bikes that can cause problems like this because of bad contacts. Also, a leak in the corrugated hose inside the tank can cause fuel-pressure problems. Other possibilities might be a defective spark plug or plug wire, but I wouldn't bet any money on either since you aren't getting any fault codes. Clogged gas cap? Maybe, and that should be easy to diagnose.
Again, I would cease talking to that dealer until you call HD CS, and tell them the entire story of how they diagnosed the problem as a $1000 fix that came out of your pocket, which ultimately didn't fix anything. They will probably have a service rep look at the bike and they will go from there. You haven't been given good service, IMO.
Last edited by gipper; Mar 27, 2012 at 05:04 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Took it to Harley today. Warmed up the bike well on the way, and at a stop light in town, it almost died on me.
Well, at least the bike is throwing codes now. The Harley Maintenance Manager said both the front and rear cylinders are misfiring. Plus, they found a small oil cooler leak (most likely unrelated).
The codes found were:
P0134:Front Oxygen sensor inactive
P0154: Rear Oxygen sensor inactive
P0031: O2 sensor heater low/inactive
Any of these related to misfiring?
So, they're going to take a nice long look at the bike. But....
...while I was there talking to parts guys, the Maint. Manager quit! Walked out.
In the last two weeks, one of the main managers quit (Zach), and now the service manager! I told one of the remaining tech guys that there was no rush, and to take his time. He was almost alone in the shop after the manager left (they pulled a parts guy who had maintenance training), and the shop was full on bikes.
This could take a while.
What a trip.
Well, at least the bike is throwing codes now. The Harley Maintenance Manager said both the front and rear cylinders are misfiring. Plus, they found a small oil cooler leak (most likely unrelated).
The codes found were:
P0134:Front Oxygen sensor inactive
P0154: Rear Oxygen sensor inactive
P0031: O2 sensor heater low/inactive
Any of these related to misfiring?
So, they're going to take a nice long look at the bike. But....
...while I was there talking to parts guys, the Maint. Manager quit! Walked out.
In the last two weeks, one of the main managers quit (Zach), and now the service manager! I told one of the remaining tech guys that there was no rush, and to take his time. He was almost alone in the shop after the manager left (they pulled a parts guy who had maintenance training), and the shop was full on bikes.
This could take a while.
What a trip.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Bristow, VA
Oh, and forgot to answer:
I road for about 10K miles before the Harley guys installed the SE Heavy Breather and V&H slip ons. They did a basic download from Harley for the map. I did not have a tuner at the time of install.
Road for about two months (maybe 2K miles?) before issue started.
After the SE Racing Tuner was bought, Harley took the bike in, did a SERT and Dyno, and also a 15K mile service.
I road for about 10K miles before the Harley guys installed the SE Heavy Breather and V&H slip ons. They did a basic download from Harley for the map. I did not have a tuner at the time of install.
Road for about two months (maybe 2K miles?) before issue started.
After the SE Racing Tuner was bought, Harley took the bike in, did a SERT and Dyno, and also a 15K mile service.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: At home
Skippy, Sorry to hear the news. This is a Warranty issue. I agree your problems can be caused by a bad gas cap, or plugged fuel vent system. It could also be internal, like bad valve springs. But a bad oxygen sensor will cause this kind of problem. Again, more good advise about bad wires or connections somewhere. In other words. It's their problem. Who knows if it will be a quick or time intensive search. By the way...last time I was there, my parts receipt said Warren's.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 297
Likes: 0
From: New York
just a idea keep it simple get some gas treatment and fuel injector cleaner i found the same thing happened to me only it was my truck ran horrible mechanic could find nothing wrong i ran some fule treatment no more issue, we have to remember the ethanol causes alot of carbon to build up and it sounds like you are starving for fuel at certain intervals i would fill the tank and put some injector cleaner in before i did anything else
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 2
From: Volusia County, FL
[quote=Skippy97;9583747]Took it to Harley today. Warmed up the bike well on the way, and at a stop light in town, it almost died on me.
Well, at least the bike is throwing codes now. The Harley Maintenance Manager said both the front and rear cylinders are misfiring. Plus, they found a small oil cooler leak (most likely unrelated).
The codes found were:
P0134:Front Oxygen sensor inactive
P0154: Rear Oxygen sensor inactive
P0031: O2 sensor heater low/inactive
Any of these related to misfiring?
So, they're going to take a nice long look at the bike. But....
quote]
Glad it's throwing codes and the dealer has it. Yup, iclick had great advice. I was even going to recomend hooking up your SE Pro tuner, go into record mode, ride around until the bike started acting up, hit the record button and then download the file and email it to the Service Mgr. I bet if they looked at the recordings and saw all the hesitation, low idle, almost stalling, etc.. it might help your case. But seems like it's not needed now.....
Well, at least the bike is throwing codes now. The Harley Maintenance Manager said both the front and rear cylinders are misfiring. Plus, they found a small oil cooler leak (most likely unrelated).
The codes found were:
P0134:Front Oxygen sensor inactive
P0154: Rear Oxygen sensor inactive
P0031: O2 sensor heater low/inactive
Any of these related to misfiring?
So, they're going to take a nice long look at the bike. But....
quote]
Glad it's throwing codes and the dealer has it. Yup, iclick had great advice. I was even going to recomend hooking up your SE Pro tuner, go into record mode, ride around until the bike started acting up, hit the record button and then download the file and email it to the Service Mgr. I bet if they looked at the recordings and saw all the hesitation, low idle, almost stalling, etc.. it might help your case. But seems like it's not needed now.....
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Aurora, IL
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
From: NH
Seems like a lot of HD service depts use the tuner/dyno as their fallback position for just about any issue that they can't easily diagnose, they make a lot of dough on those. A tuner and a good tune is definitely not a bad thing but it should only be done with all else running properly to get you a better performing and efficient motor. It is not a cure all
They owe you the money you spent on a false cure. Then again the SERT isn't a bad thing to keep but they still owe you something, not the least of what they owe you is a properly running scooter.
They owe you the money you spent on a false cure. Then again the SERT isn't a bad thing to keep but they still owe you something, not the least of what they owe you is a properly running scooter.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 285
From: Alva Florida
Our 2010 SEUC had SERT on it from the dealer new. Cat removed, Rineharts, and stage 1. Had a cough at 2200 rpms. Seemed ok at idle, and above 2200. Dealer tried twice to tune cough out of it. Their Tech never could, Harleys answer.....put a Powercommander V on it. Ran fine with the PCV made same HP and torque on dyno.
It wasnt the part its the tuner. It takes a very experienced tuner to get a SERT tuned correctly. Not every shop has a tuner that has the experience to tune them correctly.
Find another tuner.
It wasnt the part its the tuner. It takes a very experienced tuner to get a SERT tuned correctly. Not every shop has a tuner that has the experience to tune them correctly.
Find another tuner.