Weird pinging problem | GTAMotorcycle.com

Weird pinging problem

sburns

sburns

Well-known member
Yeah what a surprise a HD with a strange problem...

Lately I've been noticing a metallic tinking sound. I thought it was something loose on the bike. But talking with another rider it appears to be pinging. I've never experience this before with my bike or otherwise which is why I wasn't sure what it was.

I think somehow this might be related to my MAP sensor/ shuttering issue.

So what I am experience is the sound and loss of power especially going up inclines or more aggressive throttle.
I've switch gas a bunch of times, same problem.
What's interesting yesterday when I riding as soon as the sun went down and the humidity dissappeared, the bike came back to life. Throttle was much better and bike sounded good. There was still some pinging but not as much.

Anyhow I probably shouldn't be riding it this way until I figure this out?

I'll most likely change out the spark plugs just in case.

Any idea suggestions?
 
Pipes, air filter, plugs ? If you've modified the power train in any way you may need to have the ECU remapped.
 
TK4 said:
Pipes, air filter, plugs ? If you've modified the power train in any way you may need to have the ECU remapped.
Click to expand...
Everything is stock, even exhaust.

Part of troubleshooting the MAP sensor issue I replaced my plugs with HD plugs and did a reset on the ECU. But I can't remember when the pinging started to happen when I did those or before etc.. Something about the plugs bothers me though and I want to replace them again with something I used before, just need to check my bills.

My other thought the oil is not working well enough in this high heat.
 
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sburns said:
Everything is stock, even exhaust.

Part of troubleshooting the MAP sensor issue I replaced my plugs with HD plugs and did a reset on the ECU. But I can't remember when the pinging started to happen when I did those or before etc.. Something about the plugs bothers me though and I want to replace them again with something I used before, just need to check my bills.

My other thought the oil is not working well enough in this high heat.
Click to expand...
Definitely, the wrong heat range plug could contribute to your problem.
 
Still not throwing any codes?
 
Last week, my buddy tore his harley down for the 2nd time to replace the cam chain tensioner.
Every ~70K kms it needs to be replaced.
It makes a "noise" for a while, until things go sideways.
The kit is about $150 if diy.
(the tensioner is nylon).
 
Gary said:
Last week, my buddy tore his harley down for the 2nd time to replace the cam chain tensioner.
Every ~70K kms it needs to be replaced.
It makes a "noise" for a while, until things go sideways.
The kit is about $150 if diy.
(the tensioner is nylon).
Click to expand...
Yup did that myself as well. Mine is probably coming due again.
 
The circumstances that you describe - heavy load at lower revs in high temps - are exactly those that promote detonation. If there is noticeable power loss, it's severe, and can cause damage.

Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber caused by prolonged rich operation (e.g. from your failed sensor) could be another factor.

If this happens on the road (before you can fix the problem), gear down (revs up) and slow down to reduce load on the engine.

Check spark plug heat range and condition.

Ignition timing is another big factor, but probably is not adjustable. I have slotted the mounts for a crankshaft position sensor to take timing out of a "non adjustable" ignition system to address this...
 
Brian P said:
The circumstances that you describe - heavy load at lower revs in high temps - are exactly those that promote detonation. If there is noticeable power loss, it's severe, and can cause damage.

Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber caused by prolonged rich operation (e.g. from your failed sensor) could be another factor.

If this happens on the road (before you can fix the problem), gear down (revs up) and slow down to reduce load on the engine.

Check spark plug heat range and condition.

Ignition timing is another big factor, but probably is not adjustable. I have slotted the mounts for a crankshaft position sensor to take timing out of a "non adjustable" ignition system to address this...
Click to expand...
Yeah Kinda been babying it while this is going on, keep rev's up on the flats, and coast into hills, throttle after the hill. So far that stops the loud pinging, but not sure if it's still going on but not noticeable.

How do I check the plug heat range? Is there something visually I need to look out for?

I ingintion timing is non-adjustable from what I've read online, dealer adjustable.
 
sburns said:
How do I check the plug heat range? Is there something visually I need to look out for?
Click to expand...
Verify by the service manual the plug has the proper heat range designation written on it.
If it is from a different manufacturer (NGK. Champion, etc.) consult a cross refence chart.
 
Brian P said:
The circumstances that you describe - heavy load at lower revs in high temps - are exactly those that promote detonation. If there is noticeable power loss, it's severe, and can cause damage.

Carbon build-up in the combustion chamber caused by prolonged rich operation (e.g. from your failed sensor) could be another factor.

If this happens on the road (before you can fix the problem), gear down (revs up) and slow down to reduce load on the engine.

Check spark plug heat range and condition.

Ignition timing is another big factor, but probably is not adjustable. I have slotted the mounts for a crankshaft position sensor to take timing out of a "non adjustable" ignition system to address this...
Click to expand...
The bike that sburns is describing would be one of the few that actually has a knock sensor, right?
 
TwistedKestrel said:
The bike that sburns is describing would be one of the few that actually has a knock sensor, right?
Click to expand...
You'd think. Cop duty bikes are ridden hard and put away wet. I would expect purchasing would want as many systems as possible to keep Joe Meathead from blowing it up.
 
TK4 said:
Verify by the service manual the plug has the proper heat range designation written on it.
If it is from a different manufacturer (NGK. Champion, etc.) consult a cross refence chart.
Click to expand...
Thanks I will check that.
Currently I have HD stock plugs.
I was using Champion before this, which is the OEM for HD.
But soemthing about these stock plugs is bothering me, I may have use Screaming Eagle plugs before (prior to Champion), still have to look into this.
 
TwistedKestrel said:
The bike that sburns is describing would be one of the few that actually has a knock sensor, right?
Click to expand...
As far as I know on the engine there are 3 sensors.
MAP (intake manifold)
Heat sensor in the front cylinder
Crank Sensor.
 
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