| Author | Message | ||
     Sarodude |
I can only report my observations, so here they are... Our 02 FXD had a nasty habbit of pinging on 91 Octane fuell. I generally tried to ride around it but sometimes I just needed to squirt a bit more without a downshift. It had developed a tendency to slightly afterrun if things had gotten really warm. Starting was also laborious if the engine was warm since it seemed to fire way too soon and try to spin the engine back the other way. FYI, timing has checked out ok - at least according to what the book says. Anyway, I filled an old oil bottle with water. The cap received a hole and a plastic hose. With the bike warmed up, Loli manned (or womanned) the throttle while I squeezed. Great billowing jets of steam shot out the back - right onto the freshly washed Blast. The bike needed a healthy dose of throttle to run through this procedure. Anyway, here's what I can report: * Pinging on 87 octane is now like pinging was with 91 octane. 89 octane eliminates ping. * Starts easier without trying to fire early and turn backwards. * Hasn't been hot enough to notice the afterrun thing yet - but It'll probably be reduced. * PUKE, PUKE, PUKE. This procedure seemed to have allowed a significant amount of water / vapor past the rings. A bike that produces virtually NO puke puked up a STORM! * The above statement would suggest that your engine and oil should be seriously warmed up before this procedure. Also, go for a serious ride afterwards. Better yet, maybe just change the oil. Why did it work? Don't really know. Did it clean out carbon? I don't really know that, either. I do, however, know that the consistent behavior of the engine has been restored to what I remember the brand new bike doing. DISCLAIMER: If you've never heard the term "Hydraulic Lock" and are interested in doing this procedure, DON'T until you read up on it some. I'm not condoning this. Not sure if I shoulda done this or not. It did seem to improve life for me, though. -Saro | ||
| Sickquad |
So you fill an oil bottle with oil, added a hose, then what did you do with the water in the bottle? | ||
| Sarodude |
Quad- Filled an oil bottle with WATER, not oil. The container and delivery method were more anecdotal than anything. The water was squirted (I wasn't clear when I said I squeezed)into the carb. Keep the revs well above idle and be ready with more throttle. Whatever you do, be gentle with the water! Since liquid water is not compressible, too much water per cycle may seriously damage your motor. I've heard of IL4 car engines FOLDING THEIR HEADS IN HALF when some poor sap drove into a deep puddle with a cold air intake that drew from under the car. Tales of Hydraulic Insanity are fairly real. Studs break. Rods bend. Heads fail. Don't let that happen to you. -Saro | ||
| Ara |
I understand that a bottle that sprays a fine mist is preferable to a squirt bottle. | ||
| Aesquire |
That's the classic de-carbon'ing technique. Thanks for the caution, some fool might get out the garden hose to "improve" his bike.  Change the oil, please.  edited by aesquire on June 10, 2003 |
