| Author | Message | ||
     Armymedic |
I picked up my new 06 this weekend and rode it 850 miles home. Sweet! However, mileage was only about 32mpg for several tankfuls then up to 42mpg for a tank and now back down to 30mpg. Check engine light coming on now in city riding and power when taking off is very poor (like riding in 2 gears higher than normal) and then sometimes it breaks out of this and really takes off! I used Al's instructions for shorting pins 1 and 2 of the diagnostic port, which gave me code 13 (02 sensor) which makes sense to me. I also replaced the front plug as I was sure it was fouled but it didn't look too bad but the gap was much more than what is specified in the owner's manual. Questions: How do you replace the 02 sensor? (Service manual purchased from Ebay today, waiting on it!) How do you access the rear spark plug? Any other suggestions welcomed! When my bike runs right, it rocks! but this feathering the clutch and working the throttle just to get going is the pits. | ||
| Etennuly |
Rear plug is not as difficult as it looks. I use a 3/8 drive ratchet and a foot long Snap-on wiggle flopping extension. I put a piece of masking tape over the socket hole so that it will grip the plug, and use the same going back in. Don't forget to use some anti-sieze on the plug threads for the steel to aluminum mating. Also there are many plug wire pullers that are available. I use a really long pair of curved needle nose pliers with tape on the jaws. Can't help with the sensor, haven't been there. The service manual is on line at Buell.com if you don't have one.  | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
The O2 sensor looks like a real treat! 1. Remove the intake cover assembly 2. Remove air cleaner assembly 3. Remove Rear shock 4. Remove fan 5. Remove cable straps and unplug 1 place connector (137) 6. Remove O2 sensor from exhaust header using Snap-on P/N YA8875 (32 dollar O2 sensor socket). Install 40-50ft lbs for the sensor Have fun! | ||
| Armymedic |
Geez, I'll have the dealer do the 02 sensor as that should be a warrantied item! My guess is that's why my fuel economy sucks so bad. Thanks for the info! | ||
| Armymedic |
Started up bike this morning. Lots of heat off front header. Rear header cold as ice. What would cause only one cylinder to fire? | ||
| Aeholton |
Fouled rear spark plug. It would explain your other symptoms too. (Message edited by aeholton on October 09, 2008) | ||
| Armymedic |
Thanks, Will change spark plug today. We'll see. | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
Definitely explains the other symptoms. The question that would come to mind though is "Why did the plug foul?" Since you have an 06 I would recommend the Pro-Series plugs. I fouled my original plugs in cold weather starting (like 15 degrees out). I put the proseries in and I have had NO issues with fouled plugs now. Just my .02 | ||
| Armymedic |
Who makes the Pro-Series plugs and where can I buy them? | ||
| Armymedic |
Are you referring to the Double Platinums like on Buell Parts? I would imagine folks would also recommend the NGK Iridiums. | ||
| Aeholton |
http://www.buell.com/en_us/gear/accessories/index. asp?Menu_ID=2&ProductLineID=2&CategoryID=1 | ||
| Chrisrogers3 |
Here is the Buell P/N 32822-01Y These are the ones I use. | ||
| Armymedic |
Definitely explains the other symptoms. The question that would come to mind though is "Why did the plug foul?" Yes, I'm thinking fouled spark plug leads to bad 02 sensor error code. | ||
| Armymedic |
Those plugs state "Race Application Only". Will that void my warranty? | ||
| Froggy |
No | ||
| Armymedic |
I'll try those then. Thanks for the input! | ||
| Etennuly |
Your O2 sensor may be throwing a code because the plug is fouled. I would change the plug and run the bike. If you have the ECM Spy, or other, you can erase the code, otherwise it will clear out on its own after I think it is 50 starts. Get the code cleared out and run the bike again(if the new plug makes it run good) then re-check for codes before you change the sensor. It may not need it because the fouled plug will allow raw fuel to cover the sensor. | ||
| Armymedic |
Fouled rear plug it was! Also found that gap size in both was .40+, not the .35 in the manual. Installed standard NGK plugs and off I went! Man, what a smooth running bike! No CEL either. Side note: Bought the Pro-Series plugs and went to install them and found out they are not the standard 5/8" spark plug socket size. I'm glad I had the other plugs I had bought from the other day. Guess I'll take my Buell plugs shopping for a suitable socket. | ||
| Paul56 |
11/16" works. | ||
| Thunderbox |
It is absolutely abnormal to be fouling a plug. You have to have something else wrong for that to happen. The solution is not to keep replacing plugs but to find out the real problem. Correct the problem not the result. I believe there is a large number of Ulys out there that have never and will never foul a plug. Mine has been perfect in 23000. Plugs changed once as recomended in the manual. | ||
| Armymedic |
I agree, however from reading the forums here, it seems to be a common problem. I just picked the bike up last Sat. and rode it home. Who knows how the previous owner rode it? Or what he did? I plan to keep a close eye on how I ride and the maintenance that it needs. The previous owner did not do any of his own maintenance but rather had the dealer perform all maintenance, and from what I've heard people say, that can be a bad thing. In fact, some of the maintenance he had the dealer perform was for exactly the same symptoms I posted but there was nothing in all the paperwork about ever replacing any plugs, only a TPS reset. I tend to think that for whatever reason, the problem was not fixed, leading to/caused by a bad plug in the rear cylinder. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
What Thunderbox said; 43,000 miles and never a fouled plug. | ||
| Aeholton |
I've never fouled a plug either. I believe most fouling can be attributed to using throttle when starting or before the engine as a chance to warm up. I always start my bike without giving it any throttle and then put my earplugs/earphones in, put my helmet on and then gloves while it warms. Granted I live in sunny FL and haven't had to start my bike on cold mornings, but I believe proper engine warm up is effective fouling prevention. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Aeholton, sounds like you have been watching me get ready also. I do a very similar procedure but I also put on a balaclava. It is just a little colder here that it is in your part of the country. You lucky fella. | ||
| Froggy |
Hah, I am surprised I didn't foul one at Buelltoberfest. She hated those cold mornings on top of the already screwed up AFV!  | ||
| Aeholton |
Hah, I am surprised I didn't foul one at Buelltoberfest. She hated those cold mornings on top of the already screwed up AFV! Yeah, that first morning your bike didn't want to stay running. |
