| Author | Message | ||
     Ackme |
I am new here, so forgive me if this is in the wrong place. I've a 2002 M2L with about 2,600 miles that I picked up in March of this year. It runs great, except at prolonged highway speeds above 70 mph. It starts to sputter like it is running out of fuel. The first time this happened I assumed that is what it was and flipped to reserve. However it has happened several times since and I know it is not low fuel. Around 70+ mph after a few minutes the engine will sputter and slow down to about 40 mph and then clear up, at least until I resume cruising speed above 70 again. I assumed I might need a new fuel filter and was about to order one, but I told a friend who has a Harley that that has happened to who said it was a carburetor adjustment that was needed. | ||
| Akbuell |
Does sound like fuel flow. A new fuel filter can't hurt. Along w/checking the tank and shutoff, to make sure nothing is in there, blocking fuel flow. And most importantly, check your fuel tank vent hose and vent system. A blockage there will cause those kinds of symptoms. A quick check, if you can do it, is to run the bike w/the gas cap loose. Extreme caution is advised, though. Having raw fuel (it may happen) spewing out of the tank at 70+ is to be avoided. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
That sounds like a tank breather issue to me too. | ||
| Ackme |
I took it out at lunch and hammered it pretty hard. It was stuttering very quickly this time. Around 65 mph in third gear. It stalled. Couldn't do a rolling start, but it started up right away once it sat for a second or two. It felt like it was not getting enough air. I'll check the vent hose and filter this weekend. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Next time it sputters and dies, do nothing other than flip the locking tab on your fuel cap. See if you get a "pfoosh" sound out of the tank and if the bike immediately re-fires. If it does, bad vent line. Been there, done that  | ||
| Ackme |
On the ride home from work it seemed to be running a bit rougher than normal. I got up to speed, the engine sputtered and I flipped open the locking tab on the filler cap. It did not affect the sputtering and stalling. Seems the harder I ride it the worse it runs. Next, to find a fuel filter, which doesn't seem to be in the service manual. I'll call the parts department in the morning. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post what I find. | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
they dont have a filter | ||
| Jjjoutside |
This is a REALLY long shot, but I had those same symptoms and it turned out to be the cam position sensor wire had rubbed it's insulation off where the harness meets the swingarm. I could cause it to cut out (or run, depending on how the wire hit the swingarm) by bouncing up and down on the pegs while going down the road. I don't know how common it is, but I know I found three or four instances of this problem when I searched the archives last year. FWIW, I could have SWORN it was a fuel issue too... had me fooled. BTW... I think the only "filter" you'll find is the strainer on top of the petcock in the tank. JJJ | ||
| Bad_karma |
When all else fails check your intake manifold seals. Joe | ||
| Phat_j |
his bike may have had a filter added aftermarket.... if so, this could be the problem...... if not, i would look to the carb adjustment that he was refering to..... seams as if the float level is too low, and or not letting in enough fuel... | ||
| Rich |
The in tank filter screen might be clogged. There's one on the petcock, no? | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I would check intake manifold seals. Spray contact cleaner around manifold. make sure bike is warmed up and run it up to 2grand (rpm) if idle changes you have a leak! Don't spray cleaner directly into manifold because it can give you a false reading. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
I'd go for the petcock filter/screen first then carb float adjustment IMO Also you may have damage the spark plugs by running lean. check them | ||
| Akbuell |
Since it seems you have the fuel system checked out by now, I think JJJ has the answer. Every time I chased a fuel system problem like yours, and nothing was found, the true culprit turned out to be in the ignition system somewhere. | ||
| Ackme |
"they dont have a filter" Oh thank God! I was seriously getting frustrated trying to find one in the service manual and online.  This is a stock M2L. Nothing aftermarket has yet been added. (Gonna try and keep it that way) I will check what you guys have recommended and let you know. You have no idea how much this is appreciated. You guys are a fantastic resource. | ||
| Ackme |
I have had the bike out of the shop for about a week and a half after they did a 1,000 mile service and discovered it has NO oil. The dipstick is "wet" still, but no oil. My fault for not checking sooner, but holy crap! This really sucks. | ||
| Akbuell |
If your oil light didn't come on when it was running, AND it has been sitting for a few days, pull the oil cap and start the engine. Make sure the oil press light doesn't stay on once the engine starts, then look in the oil tank. You should see something going on (IE foamy oil) coming in there. The oil tank will, from time to time, drain into the crankcase, leaving the tank "empty". If you add oil, the pump will empty the crankcase, fill the already full oil tank, and blow the cap (and excess oil) out. Several members here know this from personal experience. | ||
| Ackme |
Ok, panic resided. I drained the oil and found it had a little more than a quart in it still, just not enough to show on the dipstick. It still seemed to ride a bit rough, though it is hard to tell since I haven't had it all that long. I didn't get it to stall on me, but that usually only happens when it is good and hot. Hopefully I'll get this resolved soon. The weather couldn't be better right now. | ||
| Ackme |
I had the shop take a look at my bike. I don't (yet) have the tools. They said there was bad gas in the tank. They also cleaned the carb, and now it runs like a champ. Now I gotta make up for all the miles I missed while it was down. | ||
| Ackme |
Well, I guess it was just wishful thinking. I didn't ride much over the weekend so didn't discover that it is still stalling and dying at high RPM, usually above 70mph. It ran great on the ride home from the shop so I assumed it was fixed. Now it is doing it again. Back to the shop it goes. | ||
| Ackme |
Update: The bike has been in and out of the shop now several times. Currently, it has been in the shop since 6/7/8. They have cleaned the carbs, adjusted the jets, cleaned the float, replaced the coil and sensor. Still, it stalls. The mechanic is stumped. Can anyone in the DFW area recommend a good mechanic? I need to give someone else a shot at fixing this. | ||
| Ackme |
The shop called today. They said they have finally found the problem. They said it is a faulty check valve, but there isn't another one to be had in the state. I will try and order another through Buell. | ||
| Ackme |
Just received a rollover vent valve in the mail today from the HD dealer in Odessa, TX. It was easy enough to replace. I'll test it out in the morning, though I did start it. At idle, you can hear the new valve rattle. In gear and rolling, it quietens down. I can't see how I could have done it wrong, as it just screws in, but I have learned that I have knack for finding a way to screw up a simple, straight forward process. | ||
| Ackme |
update: I rode to work this morning. No more rattling. It felt good until I got on the highway. In fifth gear at about 75mph, it stalled and died. | ||
| Ackme |
I believe I know what is causing the stalling/dying. I disconnected the vent hose from the check valve at the gas tank filler and it stopped dying and stalling. I haven't yet determined if it is the hose itself or the charcoal canister, or somewhere else in line, but that is definitely the problem. Finally! Thanks for all the advice. |
