Author |
Message |
Alstroker
| Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 10:50 pm: |
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My 04 Firebolt is running rough and missing. I have never had any problems before other than a bad plug wire but that was easy to replace. A friend of mine with a Ulysses says his is doing the same thing and that it is the ethanol content in the fuel now. It seems to run ok when you run higher rpms but at partial throttle is when I notice the rough running and missing. What do you guys think. |
Redbuelljunkie
| Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:15 pm: |
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There was never any ethanol in the fuel here in N. Florida until a few months ago. Now all pumps show there's 10%. I have heard this is due to oil prices and trying to keep costs down. I have also heard that ethanol can affect performance/mileage. Don't know if there's a relationship- but it seems reasonable. |
Xbrfirebolt
| Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:32 pm: |
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Sounds like a fouled spark plug. I believe the front one usually fouls. It was on my '08 XB12R. It's the easiest one to check first anyways. |
Boltrider
| Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 11:51 pm: |
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California has been running a 10% ethanol mix for years, and I haven't noticed any issues with my bike or anything else for that matter. The only thing you might notice is a tiny decrease in fuel mileage. |
Moosestang
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 08:01 am: |
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I'm also in North Florida and noticed the 10% or less ethanol that never used to be there. I've always run 93 in my car and bike, but I have no idea how that much ethanol will affect either one. my car is supercharged and needs atleast 91 to prevent detonation. I'm wondering if the 93 octane is more like 95 octane with the ethanol mixed in or did they just mix it with 91. I know ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline. Maybe I should be running 89 in my bike now, since the octane might actually be higher. |
Randomchaos
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 10:25 am: |
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Higher octane isnt bad for a stock Buell. They are prone to pinging anyways, so the higher the octane, the better for them. How long has it been since you have had the TPS reset? Ethanol has nothing to do with it. The bikes are able to run up to 15% ethanol with no issues. |
Ez_rider
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 11:11 am: |
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Check your engine temp sensor in the rear cylinder head. mine was loose, causing the temp readings to fluctuate all over the place, and the ECM was running the motor way too rich because of it (ECM thought the motor was cold, but it was actually at normal operating temp). I found the issue with ECMSpy (temp gauge in ECM Spy was bouncing all over until I tightened the sensor). Have you noticed any difference in how often or how long your fan runs? My fan was running very erratically when this happened. It would start and run for only a couple seconds, then shut off, then repeat, etc. |
M1combat
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 04:14 pm: |
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Check for an intake leak. |
Clarkjw
| Posted on Monday, August 25, 2008 - 04:51 pm: |
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Check oil level too. It's been a hot summer and sometimes these air cooled bikes burn of alot. |