| Author | Message | ||
     Mattdub |
Hello all. My 2000 Blast has about 7800 miles, most of those carrying my late friend who was borderline too large for the bike. When I got it, I changed the sparkplug and it seemed to run better. Over time, it has become harder to start, longer to warm up, and prone to 'miss.' (What I'm calling a miss involves air popping back, the wrong way, through the air cleaner; you can feel it under your right knee.) I just changed the plug again (it was pretty black), but that made no change. Now the bike is very hard to start and rarely if ever will keep running. Any ideas? Thanks much in advance. Matt. | ||
| Ezblast |
Has it been modified? GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Mattdub |
No, I'm about 99% sure the bike is 100% stock. Thanks. Matt. | ||
| Blake |
Sounds like a leaky intake manifold boot. If air is allowed to leak into the intake tract between the carburetor and the engine, the bike will not want to run at low speeds and will be difficult to start. Try adjusting the idle speed to a fast idle, around 2,000 rpm, and spray contact cleaner or WD40 all around the seals on either side of the intake manifold and where the boot seals to the outlet of the carburetor. If you notice a drop in the idle, you have identified an intake tract air leak. You may need to replace the seals to solve the problem. | ||
| Mattdub |
I'll try that, Blake, and will report back. Thanks a lot! Matt. | ||
| Ezblast |
Make sure your plug wire is not loose, check to make sure your intake boot is ok - the wd40/breakcleaner test works - make sure clamps are tight, make sure battery connections are tight. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Mattdub |
Plug wire and battery connections AOK. As predicted, the boot was torn under one of the clamps, around about 1/3 of the circumference. It was hard to get the boot out without risk of tearing it more. It looks like a new boot might pop in pretty easily, though. Should I remove the intake (or the carb?) to install the new boot? I'm guessing a dealer is the quick source for the part, which shouldn't cost too much.... Guys, thank you very much. No telling how much time and grief (it looks like) you saved me! I'll post result. Regards, M. | ||
| Ezblast |
You need to remove the airbox mounting bolts from engine - redlocktight when putting back in - then leaving the air box itself on - with clamps on the intake boot loose - put on the boot to intake, then pop carb into boot - make sure everything is square and then bolt/tighten everything back up. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Mattdub |
Is it always this much of a PITA to get hold of Buell/Harley parts? Suggestions for good sources of OEM parts much appreciated. Any tips for removing the fuel tank cover? Service manual (what a joke) says 'Remove mounting ring from around threaded hole.' I'm not having any luck getting the mounting ring off. Thanks again to all who have posted. Matt. | ||
| Ezblast |
Just undo the oil cap, pull the relief line off, unscrew bottom bolt, and lift off - leave collar on. OEM cheap - ChicagoHD.com - link in the links section. The Tank is even more fun - see that thread elsewhere on this board - lol - just take your time and you'll be OK. GT - JBOTDS! EZ (Message edited by ezblast on October 20, 2004) | ||
| Mattdub |
EZ wrote: 'Just undo the oil cap, pull the relief line off, unscrew bottom bolt, and lift off - leave collar on.' Thanks. When you say 'bottom bolt' do you mean the bolt on the aft end of the cover, near the seat, the one with the nylon washer? If so, I've done all that, but the cover still hangs where the dipstick goes. That is supposed to just pull free once you've removed the dipstick/oil cap? Thanks again. Matt. | ||
| Ezblast |
yes - there is also the dipstick collar/washer - note how it is on - pull that off also and it should be free to lift off. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Rockbiter1 |
I took a flat head screwdriver and pried it off..be carefull you don't scratch your plastic. The ring snaps back on very easily | ||
| Joey |
I just pulled on the tank cover until it popped off. | ||
| Mattdub |
Thanks everybody. I finally figured it out: the cover just snaps off the threaded hole/retainer ring assembly. I was trying to remove the retainer ring assembly from the bike. I've got it now, though. Downside is, removing the cover didn't buy me much in the way of access! Oh well, got the wheels off so I can replace the bald Dunlops with some new sticky Pirellis, while I wait for the intake boot to arrive from the dealer! Blastin' soon! Thanks again guys. Matt. | ||
| Mattdub |
My Blast is now running great, thanks to the great advice I received here to replace the split coupler boot. And I'm much more confident and comfortable on the bike with the new tires. Thanks a lot to all who posted. Blast on! Matt. |
