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Running Issue?

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Old 07-29-2009, 01:21 PM
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I'm new to Harleys. I just got an '01 EGC with EFI. I don't know if it is running well or not. It does have aftermarket exhaust and air filter. I know it doesn't have a power commander or anything like that. I don't know if it has the HD download. Here is what I am experiencing:

-MPG tops out at 38
-It smells like it is running rich (maybe that is normal for HD)
-When engine gets hot, lately it has been idlling at about 600-800 RPMs (feels like it is going to die)
-Lots of popping and backfiring when decelerating
-Every once in awhile it sounds like a cylinder doesn't fire (just sounds like a puff of air coming from under the tank)

Any thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
 
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Old 07-29-2009, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by usmcdevildog
I'm new to Harleys. I just got an '01 EGC with EFI. I don't know if it is running well or not. It does have aftermarket exhaust and air filter. I know it doesn't have a power commander or anything like that. I don't know if it has the HD download. Here is what I am experiencing:

-MPG tops out at 38 Better than mine.
-It smells like it is running rich (maybe that is normal for HD)
-When engine gets hot, lately it has been idlling at about 600-800 RPMs (feels like it is going to die)
-Lots of popping and backfiring when deceleratingMy RK does that as well as many other models
-Every once in awhile it sounds like a cylinder doesn't fire (just sounds like a puff of air coming from under the tank)Is it when you are idling and the engine is hot?

Any thoughts, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I hope this input helps a little.
 
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Old 07-29-2009, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by jbnl163
-Every once in awhile it sounds like a cylinder doesn't fire (just sounds like a puff of air coming from under the tank)Is it when you are idling and the engine is hot?
This happens at random. Not real often. Maybe once or twice a day. Engine can be hot or cold.

I think its doing it when the engine is coming from idle to a load

Sometimes it will do this when I start it too.
 
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Old 07-29-2009, 09:13 PM
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MM systems are notorious for eating ISC (Idle Speed Controllers), ET (Engine Temperature Sensor), and improperly set idle (Hot and Cold).....

FWIW, you should get the bike to a shop that has the ability to hook up to a computer and evaluate the data stream for anomolies....
 
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Old 08-02-2009, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by usmcdevildog
-Every once in awhile it sounds like a cylinder doesn't fire (just sounds like a puff of air coming from under the tank)
Don't ask me how, but I got the bike to do this again and it actually did it a few times. It felt like my old bike did when it ran out of gas and I had to switch to the reserve tank. It only stuttered for a few seconds, then went back to normal.
 
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Old 08-04-2009, 11:48 PM
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I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I should try installing a fuel management system (Power Commander, Fuelpak, etc) before taking it into the shop to look for some problems...

She finally did die on my today at a stoplight.
 
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Old 08-05-2009, 06:30 PM
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I had that missing and dying issue and when I checked my plugs one was out of whack. Got a new plug set the gap and good to go. Try checking the plugs and are you running Hi octane gas?
Buzz
 
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Old 08-05-2009, 11:35 PM
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Brand new plugs and 91-93 octane (non oxygenated if I can help it.)
This bike only has 8000 miles on it.
 
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Old 08-06-2009, 12:29 PM
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Check what Shouvehead Bob pointed out.
Start with the Idel Air Controler. Sounds like it is not doing it's job.
 
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Old 08-13-2009, 12:11 AM
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Okay here's whats going on now: 2 days ago I adjusted spark plug gap from .040 to .043. Then I adjusted the hot engine idle speed and pulled the 5 and 15 amp fuses on the right side.
After doing that she ran beautifully. No backfire, no dying, no misfire.

Fast-forward to today. Started it up and within 5 minutes of idling in the driveway it died. Its idling at about 600-700rpms cold. (I don't know if it's actually misfiring maybe someone could educate me on how to tell) But it was stuttering again today and a little backfire. Not as much as before though. What gives?

On a side note, I washed the bike yesterday. That's the only thing that happened between the two "test drives"
 


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