| Author | Message | ||
     Kybueller |
My XB still pings when cold.... and when extremely hot, like idling in traffic. Only at extremes, and never between like after it is warmed up and running good like going down the twisties at a steady pace. Hot nor cold. When I run 110 leaded, it runs good. I mix it with Shell super. Will my O2 sensor be ok? It is so far? I hear they can be trashed easily, but maybe mixing the fuel is making it ok. Should I change to a sensor that handles the leaded? I don't even want to attempt to adjust the timing on this. I would just make it worse. Should I maybe run octane boost? Can I just keep running 110 leaded or AVGAS mixed with Shell Super. Help me Obi Wan Kenobi, your my only help!! Greg | ||
| Holling |
I have not heard of an XB pinging when cold. Is it doing it at idle or under load when cold? I would stop using leaded gas as that will kill your O2 sensor. I run 93 octane in my 9S with no problems. Sounds like a possible timing problem. Octane boost would be better than leaded gas. | ||
| Brineusaf |
I've run 100 (not sure if leaded or unleaded though.. at a normal pump!) at it performed fine... i didn't sense an improvement nor a downfall. As far is the pinging... find the force within you must. | ||
| Buellrcr |
lead gas will ruin a o2 sensor. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I've run 89 in mine with no problems. You need to get it running right, having to change the gas is just a band-aid for other problems that need to be addressed. | ||
| Bads1 |
I really don't understand the lead will coat the o2 and trash it. Race cars I know have them in. My buddy has a Mustang thats used for road racing and the o2's have been it forever. He also has a custom HD that runs the o2's and it has had no problems. | ||
| Kybueller |
I should also mention that this pinging did not develop until the D&D was installed. I sometimes question whether or not to put the race can back on. Problem with that is that I don't have it anymore, and finding them is probably darn near impossible. Perhaps a drummer ss will be a good choice. Why would a bike ping just because I switched the exhaust? I plan to hook the techno software back up and reset the tps and try to give the bike a good going over. Maybe the pinging got worse because of running leaded fuel. I can just imagine that changing the o2 is a bitch. Oh well. Winter is upon me. Mrs. Kybueller will be happy for that so I will spend more time with her. Kybueller | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Are you running anything in conjunction with the D&D? Race ECM, Open AirBox? | ||
| Davy_boy |
My bike was pinging since the day I got it and as soon as I had the TPS reset it went away .  | ||
| Xbeau12s |
I have the pro race kit on my 04XB12S. I run Super in it. When it's hot outside and the bike is completely warmed up and I get on it, it will ping quite a bit but only if I get on it and only if it's hot and the bike is warmed up. I tried AVGAS and my buddy had an 04XB12R and he said "look - it leaves a little white residue" which I found out on here is lead. He has been running it forever with the stock O2 sensor and nothing bad but I stopped using it because I don't want to ruin it. I had th TPS reset and the AFV reset to 100% and it cured most of it (not all) must be something air cooled engines like to do | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Mine has pinged since day 3 (the first 2 were COLD and at altitude) the warmer it gets outside, the more it pings, TPS reset and all. Buell shop said not to worry about it, so I dont, I have the extended warranty so if she blows... | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
A properly running Buell XB9 should never ping. I used to run regular gas in mine, and it did not ping. Running leaded gas will destroy the stock O2 sensor in short order, which will not help matters. Running different fuel is not the solution. There have been many posts on this subject. I believe that Glitch solved this problem after numerous false starts, by correctly setting the timing, and that this has worked for other brothers. If you can't find this in the knowledge vault, you might want to send a pm to Glitch. | ||
| Kybueller |
I am running the K@N and race ecm. I'll reset afv and tps and see if it helps. Greg | ||
| Pwnzor |
Let us consult the holy tome that is the factory service manual on the subject of fuels:  In Erik's name we pray, Amen | ||
| Bads1 |
Josh52 here on this board has been running leaded gas in his 9 for over a year without problem with 02 failure | ||
| Samiam |
Pwnzor's back! Yay! Sam | ||
| Tbowdre |
Im usually just lurking.... but i second the hell yeah pwnzor is back | ||
| Blake |
"Josh52 here on this board has been running leaded gas in his 9 for over a year without problem with 02 failure." Some people play Russion roulette for over a year without a problem. I'd still recommend against it. Excellent information Matt; thanks for posting it. One clarification, the "91 octane" is for the "pump" (R+M)/2 octane rating method (average research plus motor octane ratings). For places that designate their octane using only the "research" (RON) method, use no lower than 95 RON octane.  | ||
| Bads1 |
Blake, Matts is the factory manual. Whats does it read?? It says use a unleaded or leaded fuel 91 or better. I don't use it because the bike doesn't need these fuels to run or perform well. | ||
| Blake |
I'll be darned. I may be a victim of erroneous conventional wisdom. Thanks for pointing out what the service manual says. I think an "owner's manual" also qualifies as a "factory manual." We need clarification. | ||
| Brianb |
May be time for a tuneup. Check your timing. Flowing more air/fuel makes the engine run hotter which is probably why you are hearing the ping. Retard the timing and run good fuel. This will result in power loss as well. Advance the timing and run 100 oct race fuel. You get your power back and ping shouldn't be evident. | ||
| Pwnzor |
The owner's manual is almost nothing like the Official Factory Manual, which I have as you will see below.  That little book they gave you when you bought the bike has very little information in it. Any information I give will be directly referenced from my personal experience or this book. Or if Al tells me. I hope that clears things up for you. The manufacturer says it is A-OK to use leaded fuel. It would not be in their best interests to permit the use of a fuel which would cause thousands of warranty claims within the initial 2 year period. | ||
| Brineusaf |
Matt - will you post the pic of your bike with the polished belt guards on it in my classifieds post? Someone wants to know what it looks like and my wife took the camera to her Oma's. I'd appreciate it. | ||
| Perry |
I know bikes bound for various countries are configured slightly differently. Is it possible that my owners manual (as well as my bike) is specific to the USA (EPA standards) while the factory service manual is not? That could be why the owners manual says unleaded only, and the service manual says it's okay. I could imagine even the ECM being different for different places, to meet different emissions standards etc. Geez, we even have the California specific models with the extra filter. If indeed leaded fuel is okay for our bikes, then BMC actually LIED in the owners manual when they straight up said it would damage the fuel system. On the other hand, perhaps it is true that it will damage US configured bikes fuel systems. I am really tempted to go buy the leaded racing fuel if it indeed doesn't hurt the O2 sensor (as per the service manual) since my bike still pings in temps over 90F. But haven't we heard several people claim their O2 sensors were toasted in short order by the leaded fuels? Hmmm.... Time for an anony to set the record straight. | ||
| Pwnzor |
The manual has sections in it which are pertinent to California models only. Therefore I conclude that it is inclusive of all models indicated on its cover. My owners' manual was practically useless, full of misspellings and grammatical errors. How am I to trust such a hastily produced document? I think it more likely that the literature is designed for widespread public dissemination. It would need to adhere to local laws, and as such can NOT recommend using leaded fuels. It does say NOT to use racing gas. Or octane boosters. Kyle I'll post that pic of my swingarm right now. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I've seen o2 sensors go bad literally in minutes on race gas at the track. just because some people have gotten away with running something doesn't make it a good idea. | ||
| Bads1 |
Brian then why don't they go bad on my friends race car or his custom for that matter?? | ||
| Diablobrian |
A couple of reasons. Different types of lead additives, and the o2 sensor on your Buell is a 2 wire that depends on the heat of the exhaust to warm it up to operating temperature (which allows lead "plating" while it is still relatively cool). Where most cars use 3 or 4 wire o2 sensors that heat themselves up electrically. Like the the ones you have to retrofit to use the power commander on your Buell. | ||
| Samiam |
Matt, I like how "well used" your pic of the factory manual is. Sam | ||
| Pwnzor |
I became a mechanic about 2 years ago when I discovered that stealerships were going balls-deep on me when I wasn't looking.  Always refer to The Book. The Book shall set you free. (Message edited by pwnzor on October 20, 2006) |
