backfire / sputter/ running ragged

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Dec 16, 2013 | 11:30 AM

Missi

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From: Connecticut

backfire / sputter/ running ragged

2001 FLHTCI, stock except SE slip-ons,, was running mint, 25,000miles cam chain tensioners done,,, SE hydrolic, plus new lifters an 203 cam,, got it back ran like a new bike,, after 500 miles top end started tapping a little, 250 miles more started to back fire now an then, back to HD,, they said the SE tensioner was broke out of the box, put new one in, I know they didn't change inner bcaz it only was in shop an hour... took bike,, still backfire, they said not there problem,,, 250 more miles started more valve train noise,, brought it back replaced rocker arms,, bike still back firing worse every ride, now started to sputter, loose power once in awhile. bring it back an they say need stock mufflers on, its not mufflers I say,,ran fine b4 an its a Harley ,,I don't want stock,, they said spent whole day tuning it etc,new intake gaskets, new sensors, etc,, still runs like ****,, " all they can do, sorry",,, This is my only transport an I have no $$$ Plz help.. My boy friend said I should look for suggestions here,, He thinks maybe week valve spring or jump time,,?? but they told him they did leak down test an compression is fine,, Thanx in advance Missi,,,
ps just checked plugs then manual,,, valves not seating or poor ignition timing ????

Last edited by Missi; Dec 16, 2013 at 12:43 PM.

Dec 16, 2013 | 03:20 PM

Bingee

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From: Ohio

Backfiring? Thru exhaust or intake? If intake you have a fuel problem. Not enough. If exhaust it could be timing, fuel, air leak, ignition, and so on. Possible heavy carbon buildup. But not likely. Oil pump could be leaky causing low pressure.

Dec 16, 2013 | 05:01 PM

mkguitar

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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins

hard to tell from here but if the tensioner was "broke out of the box" does that mean the valvetrain was run out-of-time with the crank and pistons---possibly causing damage.

like bent valves?

possible you have a case to take action against them if they installed broken parts or did shoddy work.

but hard to tell from your description.

Mike

Dec 16, 2013 | 05:12 PM

X Iron Butt

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From: Chesapeake Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkguitar

Missi I go along with Mike on this. You might take your story to another dealer or a local Indy that might be willing to document a teardown. I realize this is your only transportation but you could have some serious damage and need big $$ to fix. Your bike probably would have run well until the cam timing jumped and then caused more damage than you want to pay for. Not sure how much your BF knows but a compression check would be a start and then go from there. If it's low check cam timing by removing cam cover. If it isn't jumped the dealer could have set it back with valve damage Mike mentions already done.
Good Luck Keep us posted.

Dec 16, 2013 | 06:42 PM

Harleycruiser

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From: North Florida

Op said they did a leak down and compression. My money is on a bad lifter

Dec 17, 2013 | 10:06 AM

Missi

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From: Connecticut

Thanks to everyone.... Lifter sounds like could be the problem...? it back fires through exhaust not intake,, I suggested to dealer jump time,, a bent valv,,e or week valve spring, they said compression good, an "they just cant make me happy",,, I said I don't want them make me happy.. just fix the F*c^!ng bike,, My boy friend is a self proclaimed back yard hack,(does own work but said go on this sight,, to get help..) said he wont take this to legal option, He agrees above valves or timing, he did new exhaust gaskets,, Thank u all again plz any other ideas will an are appreciated..

Dec 17, 2013 | 11:19 AM

Scrmnvtwins

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From: Indiana, USA

Supposedly compression is good which would suggest the cam and crank timing is good and there is no stuck valve.

Seems the valve train has been repaired and if I read thru there is no more top end noise.

if there is noise it could be a bad lifter and if stuck open should be perfect adjustment and no problems, if stuck collapsed is no open of either the intake or exhaust. If intake is collapsed the cylinder is not charge with fuel. If exhaust is collapsed the cylinder may not be getting the proper exchange of out with old making room for in with new.

Ok backfires thru exhaust, back to Fuel or Spark issue as it sounds like it is intermittent, sometimes runs good, sometimes runs bad.

Is this fuel injected or carburated?
Rich Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) = fouled plugs from too much fuel. This is an '01 if a fuelie f it is running the Magnetti Morelli Fuel Injection which is prone to problems

or the ignition timing is severly retarded, there is a magnetic hall switch in the cam chest that signals ignition firing. Maybe the magnetic pickup switch is going out?