New noise causing concern,any ideas?
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Vandergrift,Pa
New noise causing concern,any ideas?
I have heard a strange rattle 3 times now while under hard acceleration in 1st or 2nd gear on my 2008 Ultra. Motor is stock with Rush pipes,Arlen Ness Big Sucker AC and Thundermax tuner. First time I heard it I was passing a farm tractor pulling a hay wagon and thought it may have been the wagon rattling. Second time was passing a slower vehicle and thought it may have been gravel flying off my front tire and hitting the bike. Today I was accelerating hard up a hill on clean pavement from a stop and heard it again. Seems to be coming from primary side of motor. Never makes this noise any other time,bike is running fine otherwise. Any ideas what I may be hearing? I am also running Redline Synthetic oil in all holes if that matters. Thanks for any advice you may have.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 17
From: Rosamond, Cali
My vote is for 'pinging' under load, too. Fuel octane, heat, lean condition, timing over-advanced, or some combination of these things are the most likely source(s). It happens when the engine is loaded down, going up a hill, pulling off from a stop, accelerating without downshifting...the kinds of things you describe.
If you're not using Premium fuel, try that. Or, try Premium fuel from another vendor. If that doesn't work, you can try to richen it up. If your Thudermax has auto tune, I'm not sure about richening it. I think it will try to find its own A/F ratio. If you don't have auto tune, the best way to handle it is to get it dyno tuned. You'll have to find someone that does the Thundermax. You can also try a 'richer' map in the TMax. If you have auto tune, the map will eventually be superseded (by the auto tune settings the unit will 'learn'.)
How long have you had the TMax? If you just got it, and it has the auto tune module, it might not have had time/opportunity to 'learn' the settings at the ranges where you're having issues...it's possible. If so, then this issue might resolve itself. For it to do so though, you'll need to have auto-tune.
The thing about the Thundermax (I had one on a bike I sold) is it doesn't have an anti-knock capability like the stock ECM. This could be making the issue more noticeable.
Alan
If you're not using Premium fuel, try that. Or, try Premium fuel from another vendor. If that doesn't work, you can try to richen it up. If your Thudermax has auto tune, I'm not sure about richening it. I think it will try to find its own A/F ratio. If you don't have auto tune, the best way to handle it is to get it dyno tuned. You'll have to find someone that does the Thundermax. You can also try a 'richer' map in the TMax. If you have auto tune, the map will eventually be superseded (by the auto tune settings the unit will 'learn'.)
How long have you had the TMax? If you just got it, and it has the auto tune module, it might not have had time/opportunity to 'learn' the settings at the ranges where you're having issues...it's possible. If so, then this issue might resolve itself. For it to do so though, you'll need to have auto-tune.
The thing about the Thundermax (I had one on a bike I sold) is it doesn't have an anti-knock capability like the stock ECM. This could be making the issue more noticeable.
Alan
Last edited by AlanStansbery; Jul 1, 2012 at 07:36 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Vandergrift,Pa
Thanks for the input,it does sound like pinging or marbles in a can. Always run premium fuel,not always brand names though. I do let off when I hear the sounds also. I have had the Tmax for about 10 months now,installed by an Indy and checked early this year again by the same Indy. He has since got out of the business so I may need to learn more about this on my own.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,881
Likes: 32,991
From: King George, VA
Check the forward mount bolt of the saddle bag support rail. It just ahead of the bad and below the side cover. Another thing to check is the engine guard lower mount bolt.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
u may need a firm ware upgrade if u do the upgrade it will remove your pinging if that what it is. every so often you need to check zippers for firm ware upgrades i do all the time and they just did a new upgrade and the motor runs alot smoother. if u did the upgrade then do a autotune should resolve any problems your having. i have had my tmax for 18 months and never ever had any issues with it my bike runs perfect. hope this helps
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