| Author |
Message |
    
Hhkiwi
| | Posted on Monday, October 17, 2011 - 09:27 pm: | 
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I would appreciate feedback from the experts here on a problem with my 2008 Blast.
I purchased my bike about 6 months ago with less than 600 miles on it and have since added another 1300 miles.
The engine has always been pinging noticeably even though I am using premium gas. For example, when I cruise at 30 to 35 mph in third gear – that’s going at constant speed/partial load – the pinging is very obvious. My consumption has also been fairly high – in the order of 30 mpg, i.e. nowhere near the claimed 60 mpg. I am not a racer but I am not exactly going slow either – and I do know that the Blast engine wants to be revved.
Back in August, at around 1000 miles, I had the bike for its first service with the local H-D dealer but nothing’s changed in terms of the pinging. Now last week things got worse. When I cruise at 50 mph in fourth the engine misfires and starts losing power. When I pull the clutch it will stall but shifting down into third and letting the clutch go will start it again. The problem only occurs at partial load and mid-range RPM – when I accelerate and go faster/rev the engine higher, everything is back to normal. There’s no problem at idle either, e.g. waiting at the lights. The engine ticks over nicely although every now and then I notice that the revs drop momentarily but then go back to normal again.
Last but not least, I have a small oil leak somewhere near the front top of the engine – one or two drops of oil per day end up on the front part of the muffler (original exhaust).
BTW, the bike is completely stock except for a K&N air filter.
Before I take the bike back to the dealer I’d be grateful for some expert advice as to what might be the problem with my bike.
(Message edited by hhkiwi on October 17, 2011) |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Monday, October 17, 2011 - 11:14 pm: |
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Replace the spark plug and the spark plug wire.
Or the ignition module is on it's way out.
(Message edited by two_seasons on October 17, 2011) |
Hhkiwi
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 12:37 am: |
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Thanks, I removed the spark plug wire and will check its resistance tomorrow.
Just found that my front engine mount/isolator has disintegrated and needs to be replaced. I know it's a thumper but is it normal that the isolator packs in after less than 2000 miles?? |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 12:54 am: |
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Not sure why yours broke. Cast are not as strong, from what I hear.
Here is one from American Sport Bike, a sponsor, that you may be interested in...
http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/6790.html
Can't go wrong doing business with Al & Joanne. |
Hhkiwi
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 01:11 am: |
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Thanks - and sorry, it's the actual isolator (the round rubber part) that's given up, not any of the metal bits around it. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - 08:23 am: |
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Adjust the timing also... that could be causing your ping.
The isolator shouldn't be going that quickly. Don't know why it would have failed.
You are also more or less still in break in, that could be making the engine run hotter.
Also, a 2008 with 1900 miles may have sat for a while. Three to six months of sitting on my dirt bikes pretty much guarantees some kind of carb gooing, even if I use Fuel stabilizer. So maybe the carb needs popped off and cleaned as well (not a bad job at all). |
Hhkiwi
| | Posted on Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 08:32 pm: |
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OK, today I replaced my front isolator (the old one had a crack), the upper and lower rocker box gaskets (the lower one had a leak), the spark plug and the spark plug wire. I also checked my timing - it was spot on.
Yet I still have the same problem with my engine - it pings excessively and I experience a loss of power when cruising with occasional misfires.
What should I look into next? |
Johneblast
| | Posted on Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 10:26 pm: |
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Das Boot! Check the intake boot for cracks or leaks. That will definitely cause excessive ping and loss of power. What exhaust are you running and have you jetted the carb to match the exhaust? Has the air/fuel mixture screw (it comes from the factory plugged and set 1 1/2 turns out) been drilled out so you can adjust it. If it hasn't, drill out carefully as not to go deep enough into the adjustment screw. Just my two cents. |
Johneblast
| | Posted on Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 10:28 pm: |
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...forgot to mention that the air/fuel mixture screw should be 2 1/2 out from lightly bottomed out. |
Hhkiwi
| | Posted on Saturday, October 22, 2011 - 11:33 pm: |
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Thanks, Johneblast, checked the boot today - it looks fine. My Blast is completely stock, i.e. stock exhaust, stock carb.
Found a troubleshooting page in the 2008 Blast Service Manual on poor performance, poor fuel economy and excessive pinging. Problem is that the procedure requires a "breakout box adapter" (HD-42962) to check voltages. Does anyone know where I could get one of those adapters? |
Johneblast
| | Posted on Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 12:17 am: |
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I'm pretty sure you can check everything out with a volt/ohm meter. |
Two_seasons
| | Posted on Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 12:19 am: |
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You can use a multimeter to check voltages.
Breakout boxes just make the procedure easier. It allows you to plug in connectors instead of measuring discrete wiring, pin to pin, between connectors. HD does sell them.
Make sure that your intake seal isn't leaking. To test, run un-burning propane or mapp gas lightly around the intake seal. If your engine speeds up, the seal is bad and will need to be replaced. |
Johneblast
| | Posted on Sunday, October 23, 2011 - 12:20 am: |
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You may find a lot more info at the Thumper forum. They have all the info for the Blast there. |
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2008 Blast engine trouble