| Author | Message | ||
     Affatbe |
Hello all, I am new to this site and was referred by a friend. I was told you would be the best, and I should reach out to you for help! I currently ride a '05 Buell xb12r firebolt. 10,000 miles I decided to rebuilt the bike over the winter months and have since rebuilt the bike. runs great on complete cold start up but when the bike gets up to temp or over temp it gets really hot in rear cylinder head (tell on my right leg) and starts pinging like a monster! mostly the lifters but very loud and concerning -I have oil flow, but not sure if enough to get to the top of the engine? (no light) -Changed oil 4 times since rebuilt (including filter) -Removed oil pump and no obstructions -Inspected check ball above filter (clear) -Replaced oil pressure sensor -No metal in oil (thankfully) I think that the bike may be running very lean and this is causing the over heating but not sure. again no light Since the weather has been getting warmer I can feel slight hesitation and lack of power in bike. and idle is a little off. I can't ride for more than an hour at a time. I think the problem boils down to over heating but not sure??? -oil flow? -running way too lean? Either way the problem persists and I am getting desperate. If you have any insight into what may be the problem I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!  | ||
| Fast1075 |
Define "rebuilt"...did you modify the engine??? What happened where you would need to rebuild at only 10,000 miles? | ||
| Hughlysses |
First thing would be to check the static ignition timing. Too retarded will make it run hot; too advanced will cause spark knock. If that's on the money, then start looking for other causes. | ||
| Affatbe |
fast, I had thought that the engine had locked up on me before I decided to rebuild. Had a previous owner so I figured it wasn't so far fetched | ||
| Affatbe |
Hughlysses, How would I check that? | ||
| 1_mike |
What Hugh said...also the right side scoop will help even out the air flow to the rear cylinder, make it a little closer to the front cyl. temperature. Either Buell (Harley) or the aftermarket are sources for the scoop. And the DO work...! The stock and race ECM have the timing values about the same through out the RPM range (at least on the 05 models). But as noted, the static timing may have been changed during your disassembly/assembly of your engine. Get a manual, double check the static ignition timing before you mess with the ECM. Mike | ||
| Sloppy |
+1 Static timing. +10 get a Service Manual. In the meantime, invest in an "octane booster" to prevent pinging. It doesn't take long for pinging to damage an engine. | ||
| Greg_e |
To add to the list: Intake leak causing it to run lean. Defective O2 causing it to run lean (but not so much it throws an error code). Using gas that is below the suggest octane rating (below 91). Also cams out of time by a tooth could cause issues, and a few other things. In other words it could be a real mess to sort out. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Did you use stock pistons??? it would explain a lot if you used high compression aftermarket pistons or the ever popular XB9 pistons in the XB12 motor.... | ||
| Ourdee |
My first question is are you running 91 + octane gas. | ||
| 1324 |
Another thing to check....is the fan operational? I had a problem with mine once and parked idling in the garage on a HOT day actually caused the lifters to momentarily collapse. It was HOT, as verified by ECMspy. Which brings up my second point. If you haven't already, I'd recommend monitoring the actual rear cylinder head temp with ECMspy. This will help diagnosis further. I know this sounds stupid, but is there anything loose in/around the engine? These are noisy engines, and I once had a breather filter vibration (on my valve cover) sound EXACTLY like detonation. So, we need more info... | ||
| Affatbe |
thank you all for your feedback. to answer a few of your questions. I did not make any mods to engine I am running 93 octane cams are in line don't think its an O2 sensor because it's all the time and no light don't think it's just the rear but that's all i can feel thank you all for you fast feedback and I think the timing is the first place i will look Is there anyway I can check the ecm? what do I need to do so besides the dealer? Thx | ||
| Hughlysses |
Timing is (1) likely culprit (2) relatively easy to check and (3) easy to correct if off. I wouldn't worry about other possibilities until you eliminate that one. | ||
| Brumbear |
timing and a right side scoop and your fan is working and you did a tps reset correct? | ||
| Affatbe |
that is correct. still unsure how to check timing... | ||
| Affatbe |
I have an update for those helping me out and need some insight as to what this is??? I removed my oil pump again tonight and found two foreign objects in the top of the pump where the oil goes in/out to the cam gear cover I'm attaching pictures! I know it's not out of the oil pump and would have been too small to travel through it. I think it is the tip of the oil pressure sensor??? What do you think    | ||
| Affatbe |
Still having same issue?? Any other ideas?? | ||
| Greg_e |
I'm not familiar enough with the insides to comment on those pieces, if I was to take a guess they look like oil sprayers that are used to cool the back side of the pistons, but something like that should have been stuck in the filter not the oil pump. | ||
| Nightripper |
I don't think you can set the timing anymore on new sportsters or buells. When you remove the old timing cover there is nothing in it, to advance or retard. Alot of bikes with electronic ecms the timing is set by the computer and it can't be done manually. Correct me if I'm wrong. | ||
| Greg_e |
He has an 05, you can set the mechanical timing by adjusting the plate and electrically by the ECM (so you can potentially mess it up in both places). It was 08 where they moved the pickup and made it nonadjustable. | ||
| Nightripper |
that is how my 2004 sportster is , there is nothing to adjust | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Maybe a crazy thought but it looks like a part of a plunger from a hydraulic lifter!  | ||
| Gunut75 |
Ahhhh, maybe not so crazy. Looks the same to me. |
