| Author | Message | ||
     Dallasb |
Just bought a new bike, I replaced the plugs because they were fouled out, and now I'm having a problem with it surging. The bike is an 06 XB9SX and is completely stock. Could I have misjudged the gapping in the ones I just bought? I had to get autolights which I know aren't the best but its all that I could find local. I plan on switching them out this winter to some iridiums. | ||
| Froggy |
How many miles on it? Did it do this with the fouled plugs? It might just need a TPS reset. | ||
| Greg_e |
Anyone have an ECMspy cable you can borrow while we work on getting one for you? One of the first things I did after Froggy helped me get the software working was to do a TPS reset, wasn't needed on mine but I did it anyway. Also checked the mechanical (static) timing and reset all the error codes that were caused by the previous fuel fooler. Isn't surging normally an indication that it is running lean? | ||
| Dallasb |
It has 2200 miles. I rode the bike last night and it ran like it should. Woke up this morning and when i tried to start it, it wouldn't run. After much checking I just went and bought new plugs and it started the surging. So the answer to your question is no it did not to it prior to the change. I don't have access to an ECMspy cable. I live in a small city so very few buells around. I am not sure if this is a rich or lean characteristic but it not only surges it backfires all the time in both decel and accel. | ||
| Dallasb |
Also another question. The previous owner put Mobile 1 Synthetic 20W-50 Vtwin motor in both oil reservoir. Is it ok to run that oil in the transmission? | ||
| Greg_e |
Could one of the plug wires be loose? | ||
| Dallasb |
I thought that was what it was when it was first happening. I'm pretty sure that I have them on there nice and tight. Either way its supposed to rain for the next few days so I'll just tinker around until I can get it right. Thanks guys | ||
| California69gs |
hope you don't have "my" same problem from last year........ I did the same thing, changing the plugs, plug wires, attempted to adjust the timing screw... instead of taking it into a dealer. It likely just needed a TPS reset...intially........... However, if you're finding that when it's warm it runs better and when it's cold, like in the morning, it surges horribly or won't even stay running...... you might have stripped the heads when you put the plugs in. The surging could be the open air getting past the stripped threads......when the bike warms up OR it isn't that cold....the heads expand quickly due to heat and the bike runs a little better. It was a $900 mistake for me and has really scared me away from working on my bike anymore....I just accept that it's part "harley" and will require premium gas and mechanic's, lol. I hope this doesn't sound familiar and isn't your problem.... | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Can we back up to where you say the plugs were fouled? Later, you say the bike ran fine with the fouled plugs. You don't get both: they're mutually exclusive. What did the plugs look like? Just looked at Nashville temps for this morning: pretty cool. Scenario 1: bike started, you blipped the throttle, engine died, starter sounds good but won't restart, plugs wet? You flooded the engine, don't blip. Scenario 2: whirr, click, click, wet plugs? Weak battery, higher temp gave it some help, not plug issue. Scenario 3: click, click, whirr, wet plugs? Condensation, warmer day dried it up, check coil and battery connections, not plug issue. Difference is the plugs, wires, or caps (assuming you rode more than a block). New bike with 2200 miles shouldn't have a weak battery or cracked cables.. Here's a handy chart, we're the v-rod column: http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-spark-plu g.html When the bike finally started, did you a) ride a block and go home? Flooded engine, it needs to clear. b) ride less than half an hour and go home? Engine is mad at you for flooding it and ECM needs more time to figure out what you want of it. c) ride more than half an hour and go home? Check the plugs: burnt toast is too rich so sensors, the FEC is bad. Toast popped too early is lean so sensors, dirty injector. Actually a lot things give a lean reading but they tend to blow up your engine without any popping noises. Loose exhaust will pop, surge and give lean readings, then blow up your engine. | ||
| Dallasb |
Cali, The surging doesn't seem to matter whether it is cold or the bike has warmed up. I thread the plugs by hand everytime so I'm hoping that a striped head isn't the case. Angel, Sorry for the wording earlier. The bike ran fine at first with the plugs that came with it. They fouled out yesterday morning because, out of habit, I bliped the throttle at initial startup. After I bought the new plugs is when all these surging issues starting coming up. I haven't pulled these new plugs yet but, with the old ones, both plugs were wet and were very black. I found a post on checking the battery and it doesn't seem to be the issue. It has a solid 12.25V at rest and ~14 after the bike has been started. I rode about 10 miles total yesterday thinking that I had excess fuel and it would burn off. This didn't work. I'll pull the plugs this afternoon if it isn't raining and post some pictures up. O another thing, the bike doesn't want to start when it is cold unless I blip the throttle while I'm turning over the starter. | ||
| Brumbear |
TPS reset for starters absolutley | ||
| Dallasb |
Anyone live in the Nashville area have a ecm cable they would let me borrow for a weekend. I'm working on buying one for myself but funds are limited right now. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Make sure you have the PROPER plugs...make sure they are gapped properly...You said it started acting up after you changed the plugs...I would look in that direction. | ||
| Dallasb |
What kind of plugs would you guys recommend. I looking at ditching the autolights that are in it for NGK DCPR7EIX. It says on their site that it is made for the 2003-2005 xb9r. | ||
| Swordsman |
"O another thing, the bike doesn't want to start when it is cold unless I blip the throttle while I'm turning over the starter." Definitely sounds like TPS. Mine did the same thing just last week. Out of nowhere, bike didn't want to start... had to keep the throttle open to just crank. Check the TPS, and it was a full .8 volts out of whack (with everything backed off and closed, ECMSpy still showed .8 volts registering). reset, and it idled better than it has in a LONG time. Guess I was overdue! So yeah, TPS reset first. ~SM | ||
| Greg_e |
Check the Buell Rider Assistance Network forum above and see if there is anyone near you with ECMspy and a cable that can help. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/boar d-auth.cgi?file=/42/42.html&lm=1255904787 | ||
| Iamarchangel |
From Canada, where we know cold: don't blip, ever, especially in the cold. Once it gets to your current morning temps, expect two starts. Here's my drill: ready, helmet on, sit on the bike (don't let it idle on the kickstand, damhik), start the bike, no throttle, chug chug stall, ECM recycle, start again, no throttle, look around at neighbours looking at you, put your gloves on, wiggle arms, check traffic and go. Your Saturday morning temperature: put your helmet on at the second start so you don't stall at the first stop sign. First start: ECM says, whoa, colder than I thought, recalibrate. Second start: ECM says, got my toque on, good to go. Blip: bad habit, break it. Suggest you stay with the stock 8. Pretty sure the 7 is for hotter conditions. | ||
| Dallasb |
Anyone know the gap that these plugs are supposed to be? | ||
| Iamarchangel |
NGK says 0.04 for the 8. Buell says 0.035 (0.9mm) for the HD. | ||
| Dallasb |
Ok that leads to my next question. Is it ok to gap an iridium plug? Or do you risk breaking the electrode off? | ||
| Greg_e |
Pretty sure the iridiums are pre-gapped, but not positive. | ||
| Dallasb |
Ok thanks. I finally found some plugs at autozone today. I also got one of those nifty ujoints for my socket wrench to help with the rear plug. I took the advise to get the 8 series instead of the 7. I'll get them in tonight and post what I find. | ||
| Dallasb |
Well I got the new plugs in and wow did it make a difference. It started up like it should with no throttle and idled great. The rear cylinder plug was completely black. It looks like either the gap was off or the plug was just a dud. Thanks everyone for your input. | ||
| California69gs |
glad it was a cheap easy fix. | ||
| Dallasb |
Lol your telling me. I was worried that the coil pack had failed or something like that. Sad thing is that its supposed to rain for the next few days here so I won't even be able to ride it. | ||
| Bombardier |
Not adviseable to gap Iridium plugs as they are extremely brittle. Not worth having it break off in the cylinder if you have stressed them by gapping. | ||
| Greg_e |
I know that feeling, still mucking around trying to get the title straight so I can register mine   It's all ready to ride and just sitting in the garage waiting for me. |
