| Author | Message | ||
     Tortoise |
Got my bike back from the stealership a few days ago for some warranty repairs. They replaced the rocker cover gaskets. Now it is running a lot different than it was from prior to taking it in. It seems to have a little more torque but the top speed is not good. I can only get it up to 85 and that takes a while. I used to be able to go 94. Also, it is only getting about 50 mpg now instead of 63-65. What did they mess with? My fuel/air mixture? Idle adjustment screw? Help? | ||
| Ezblast |
Primary too tight - re-adjust using methods found here. EZ | ||
| Tortoise |
EZ, I thought that someone might suggest that. I should have specified that they did not touch the primary. I have adjusted the primary a couple times before and have learned what the bike sounds like when the primary is too tight. I don't think it is too tight this time but I will check it just to make sure. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I concur with you both! Seriously though, your post says they didnt do anything else but the gaskets and I assume they didnt do a head gasket. It really points to the primary though. Did they do you a favour and do some complimentary adjustments or replace "Das Boot"? Also just having the bike back "a few days" wouldnt be long enough to find out your getting worse gas mileage. They could've test rode the bike, used it for a parts run, showed it off at the local bar or simply lost some fuel when they removed the tank. A call would be in order before whoever worked on it forgets if they did anything else to the bike. Maybe there was an additional warranty repair they neglected to tell you about. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
PS would this be all the work you had done at 9700 miles? Or did they have to redo the gaskets? | ||
| Tortoise |
Gearhead: I can put in a lot of miles in a few days LOL. I went through 2 full tanks already. Yes, this is all the work I had done at 9,700 miles. After EZ's reply I immediately went to the garage, warmed up the bike and adjusted the primary. It did seem a little tight actually. I will see if my top speed is better on the way to work this afternoon. The bike is running very strong since I got it back from the shop. Seems like 0-60 is faster but then it is slow to get from 70-80. I actually like the way it feels now I just wish the gas mileage wouldn't have dropped off so much. If adjusting the primary does not work I will call the shop tomorrow. Just for the record, the last time I took it in it actually needed a primary adjustment and they did not do one. The shop actually listed the primary as being adjusted on their checklist but the spacer was still there. I called and complained. Maybe they remembered and made sure to give the primary a real good adjustment this time LOL. | ||
| Johnnymac |
Just proves you are never alone. I have actually had the exact same thing pop up on my Blast a couple weeks ago. 50mpg (down from 60) and speed hitting a wall at 85mph where it used to run effortlessly to 95mph. At first I thought it was bad gas from my local station. Somedays it will run great to 95mph but usually stuck at 85 and working hard to reach even that. I replaced the boot but no difference. Changed the plug and saw marginal improvement but not like I used to have. Primary sounds fine but will adjust anyway to rule that out. It really has me puzzled as well. I will be watching closely to see if you resolve your issue and will update if I get anywhere with mine. Johnny  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
hmm....California does actually have a different grade of gasoline for Summer and 'Winter'. Maybe other states do also? "a real good adjustment this time" Yeah, LOL, sounds VERY plausible. "Oh, yeah we forgot, we adjusted your primary-it was loose!" Still thinking...... | ||
| Tortoise |
EZ: It was not the primary adjustment. I maxed out the top speed at 85mph again on the way to work. Gearhead: I believe Oregon adds more ethanol for the winter as well. This could be the problem actually. The bike really doesn't feel bad at all. I called the stealership. They claim they made no adjustments to the carb or anything else at all.  Johnnymac: You will probably figure it out before me. I'm still learning. (Message edited by tortoise on October 06, 2009) (Message edited by tortoise on October 06, 2009) | ||
| Ezblast |
Timing ? - not really to many other reasons unless you need more upward jetting - what are you running? EZ | ||
| Slowhand96 |
I think Erik O's suspicion is right on. In Minnesota we have a summer blend and a winter blend. The winter blend has much more Ethanol and I can feel the difference in my Harley, blast and in my jeep. Gas mileage goes down by about 10%, performance suffers and they are harder to start. 10% wouldn't account for a drop from 60 to 50 though..... My Jeep goes from 20 MPG to 14 or 15 and some of that can be accounted for in longer warm up times. | ||
| Tortoise |
EZ: completely stock. The carb has never even been touched. I will have to learn how to check the timing. I have the manual and info here at BadWeb to start with. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
First rule of diagnostics: "What Changed?" Since we have to assume the dealer didnt change anything related to running, we have to ask what else might have changed (or broken). Odds are that nothing else went bad during that time (ignoring Murphy's law). Thats what led me to the gas suspicion. Timing isnt going to change unless the module came loose, the rotor came loose, the TPS is faulty, the module is faulty or there is a bad coil, wire or spark plug (coil, wire or plug wont change timing really, but will delay or alter spark enough to cause poor running). Its possible that winter temps or winter gas could use different tuning for optimum running or mpg. If the bike runs well, is that trouble you really want to go to? The best is too make sure everything is 'up to snuff'. 10,000 miles is time for a new spark plug if you havent done so already. Maybe they left it outside and your air filter is now really dirty and it needs cleaning. But remember "If it aint broke dont fix it"! | ||
| Tortoise |
Gearhead: Air filter is clean. It may need a new spark plug. I ordered a new plug and the puller thingy this summer but haven't bothered checking the original plug yet. I will check it this weekend. I think you have good advice. The bike is running well, I can live with the bad gas mileage for now. I will only get about one more month of consistent riding this year anyways. Once November comes around it starts raining here and doesn't stop much for about 5-6 months. If the problem continues next year it will have to be dealt with. I will certainly remember to post updates here if/when I find anything. Johnymac: If you find anything with yours please let me know. | ||
| Ezblast |
I concur! EZ | ||
| Tortoise |
Update: I was able to give the bike a good look over this weekend. I found that the fuel tank vent hose was pinched between the fuel tank and the frame. I think it was pinched tightly enough to restrict the ventilation. I don't know if this was the cause of the problems yet. It may be a while before I know for sure judging by next week's weather report but I will report back after I try to reach top speed again. I'm assuming the guys at the stealership are the ones that pinched the hose. I don't know how else this could of happened. | ||
| Johnnymac |
Well, I have some input for you, Jacob. A friend of mine owns a local Shell station and he is proud of the fact that his gasoline contains no ethanol. I went out of my way this morning to fill my tank at his station and noticed an immediate improvement. Acceleration is better, exhaust note sounds healthier and on the highway the top end is back where it should be. Can't speak for mileage yet but I will know by tomorrow when I fill up again. This last tank on the crappy fuel took 2.6 gallons to fill and got me only 125 miles. I am betting that my mileage will be back up to high 50's at least, maybe even low 60's. Track down some good fuel and let me know if you see the same improvement as I did. I am betting you will. As for the pinched vent hose, it would create a vacuum effect in your tank and could cause power loss but I don't see how it could cause excess fuel use and poor mileage. If anything I think it would lean out the mixture. Get gas where they don't add the corn juice and you should see the same improvement I did. What sucks is the good place is a little out of my way and the crappy ones I had been using are just a few blocks from home and on the way to work. Oh well. I just need to reroute my commute. Johnny |
