EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga, TN
EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
Most of my riding on this bike (2007 XL50) has been when the temps outside were in 90+. This morning the temps were mid-50s, and I took a 3-mile (one way) trip down to the corner and fueled up. I noticed that if you blipped the throttle at idle there was a noticible hesitation. Is the EFI on the '07s set-up to deliver more fuel until the temps get to "normal" operating range? I checked the oil temp when I returned (after 6 miles of 35-40 mph) and it was only 150. Is this hesitation normal for my EFI bike, or does this need some attention?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
Well, I thought FI model runs better in the cold, I guess I am wrong then.
Fall is here, it takes me a lot longer to warm my bike, it was 48 this morning when I rode to work, love my heated vest.
Fall is here, it takes me a lot longer to warm my bike, it was 48 this morning when I rode to work, love my heated vest.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo, MI
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
I have the same problem. I've actually had mine stall on me a couple times until it's fully warmed up. Well....I should say it stalled as I was trying to take off. I'm finally getting my SE A/C today so I'll be able to put it on and download the correct map on my PCIII and see how it runs. I'm putting new plugs in, too. Is your bike stock? If not, what all do you have done to it?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
The EFI on a Harley should work as efficiently as the EFI system on your car and/or truck, even in cold weather, and there shouldn't be any noticeable hesitation or 'lag'.
My Softail is fuel injected, and it's been started and ridden in temperatures as low as the teens. True, it has a SERT and has been dyno tuned, but there is no hesitation at all.
The stock EFI engine on my Road King has been ridden in very low temperatures as well, and has no lag or hesitation.
Do you notice the same problem with your other bike (the '08 883L)? If not there might be a slight 'first year problem' with the EFI on your '07 Sportster, and the dealer might have a canned download to help with cold weather hesitation.
My Softail is fuel injected, and it's been started and ridden in temperatures as low as the teens. True, it has a SERT and has been dyno tuned, but there is no hesitation at all.
The stock EFI engine on my Road King has been ridden in very low temperatures as well, and has no lag or hesitation.
Do you notice the same problem with your other bike (the '08 883L)? If not there might be a slight 'first year problem' with the EFI on your '07 Sportster, and the dealer might have a canned download to help with cold weather hesitation.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
An air-cooled twin like the H-D will eventually warm up just fine. Unlike liquid-cooled engines, there is not a "standard" operating temperature sincethatwillvary depending on the ambient temperatures for air-cooled engines. All sounds perfectly normal to me.
I noticed a distinct lack of need for the choke to be on as long as I was used to after I went to Stage 1. I used to have to run with at least a partial choke a good 3 or more miles when it was cool. Since the Stage 1, my choke is off after 1/2-mile. Apparently, the engine truly breathes a more normal rate with improved air flow on the intake and exhaust. I don't know if you've done a Stage 1 to your bike(s), but if not, do it. I'll bet you'll notice a nice improvement all the way around. If you already have done Stage 1, I guess the EFI just wants more time when it's cooler, but my guess is you've not done a Stage 1.
I noticed a distinct lack of need for the choke to be on as long as I was used to after I went to Stage 1. I used to have to run with at least a partial choke a good 3 or more miles when it was cool. Since the Stage 1, my choke is off after 1/2-mile. Apparently, the engine truly breathes a more normal rate with improved air flow on the intake and exhaust. I don't know if you've done a Stage 1 to your bike(s), but if not, do it. I'll bet you'll notice a nice improvement all the way around. If you already have done Stage 1, I guess the EFI just wants more time when it's cooler, but my guess is you've not done a Stage 1.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 2
From: Rochester N.Y.
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
I just upgraded my '08 XL1200N to a stage one and S/E slip-on's. Did the download also. Now on cold mornings I get a pop when I first start out. It has stalled on me one time, if I let it warm up for just a few seconds it dosen't do it. We'll see when I try to fire her in the teens! I may call my service guy just to run it by him and see what he says.
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[IMG]local://upfiles/42003/09BF7E18F00148F5991BA6A24CF21A6A.jpg[/IMG]
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: Grosse Ile, Mi
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
Thumper26,...........I rarely disagree with you on any posts because you are right. I have to respectfully disagree with you on this one however. The fuel injection sensor should be picking up the temp and adjusting its mixture to the enviornmentwith an allowance for being started cold. The type of hesitation being described sounds faulty. 
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
RE: EFI hesitation before fully "warmed-up" ??
For an EFI bike, I'd expect you to be able to start and go on a cold motor, without any hesitation or sputtering, regardless of ambient air temps. So something doesn't sound like it working 100%.
This sounds SLIGHTLY familiar to the problems that exisited briefly with some of the early 06 BT's that were built with the 8 degree injectors. I'm not sure how well the attachments will do but I posted the service bulletin that talks about that. The crux of the issue was cold start and driveability problems with the 8 degree injectors. Maybe there is a similar issue developing with the first year EFI Sportys. I know its apples and oranges but its possible the Sporty injectors are at fault here as well. It might not require new injectors but if the service guy said they are working on it, hopefully there is a fix in the works for those affected.
I bring it up because I had this problem. Cold starts gave me comparable stuttering and stalling like you'd experience with a cold carbed bike. After they replaced the injectors, all was great. I can start my EFI bike cold and motor right up my driveway (steep incline) with no hesitation. Same starts on my carbed bikes necessitates a lot of friction zone and throttle control to avoid stalling.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/2A12231BA8F243289FA4238D6090E41C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/E6065DC8EC1741DBBF23485FD26082BA.jpg[/IMG]
This sounds SLIGHTLY familiar to the problems that exisited briefly with some of the early 06 BT's that were built with the 8 degree injectors. I'm not sure how well the attachments will do but I posted the service bulletin that talks about that. The crux of the issue was cold start and driveability problems with the 8 degree injectors. Maybe there is a similar issue developing with the first year EFI Sportys. I know its apples and oranges but its possible the Sporty injectors are at fault here as well. It might not require new injectors but if the service guy said they are working on it, hopefully there is a fix in the works for those affected.
I bring it up because I had this problem. Cold starts gave me comparable stuttering and stalling like you'd experience with a cold carbed bike. After they replaced the injectors, all was great. I can start my EFI bike cold and motor right up my driveway (steep incline) with no hesitation. Same starts on my carbed bikes necessitates a lot of friction zone and throttle control to avoid stalling.
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/2A12231BA8F243289FA4238D6090E41C.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/5927/E6065DC8EC1741DBBF23485FD26082BA.jpg[/IMG]