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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
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Message started by Tyler Pebley on 05/17/05 at 03:43:13

Title: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Tyler Pebley on 05/17/05 at 03:43:13

So I bought my used 1997 Savage with 12,000 miles on it. It wasn't really clean or in the best shape but looked ok to me. So i've been riding it for about 2 weeks off and on and it has been ok.

There has been no backfire except for on shutdown. HOWEVER, I went riding yesterday and all of a sudden it seemed really bad. It would backfire really bad everytime I rolled off of the throttle. I have NOT done the white spacer thing.

Does it sound like a bad spark plug or maybe it needs a carb tune up? Thanks for the help. Tyler

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Kropatchek on 05/17/05 at 04:05:30

Bet you switched to RES shortly after. When you almost reach the Res level in the fueltank there might be an interruption in fuelflow causing a momentairy lean situation. I switch to RES at that moment and look for the next available gasstation.
Don't forget to switch back to ON after refueling.

Greetz
Kropatchek ;D

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Reelthing on 05/17/05 at 04:11:40

you might want to check if all the exhaust bolts are tight from the head on back

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by WD on 05/17/05 at 07:56:32

Definitely check/tighten the exhaust flange bolts. The Savage is really bad about shaking them loose. I was on the way to lunch yesterday, had to turn around and head back to work because the bike got so loud.

Once the exhaust bolt inspections are done, fire up the bike and take a close listen to the top end of the engine. You might be due/overdue for a valve adjustment. My bike is, but, on the bright side, it will be the first adjustment needed in just shy of 12,500 miles of riding. I've checked them before, just haven't NEEDED to adjust them yet.
-WD

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Greg_650 on 05/17/05 at 10:41:02

Reelthing wrote:

you might want to check if all the exhaust bolts are tight from the head on back

Yep. And check the muffler clamp?

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/17/05 at 11:10:58

Definitely. I dropped a lot of backfiring when I fixed my header-to-muffler leak.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by gandalph40 on 05/18/05 at 10:00:59

I would check the entire exhaust system before anything else. Mine has just over 13k on it now, and everytime this happens (yes, it's happened more than once), the Sporty muffler I'm running has been leaking at the connection to the header pipe. I cannot get it any tighter without the sealer, but, the flip-side is, I only have to tighten it about every 1000 miles.

Run the whole pipe, check all your connections and I'll bet you find one loose.

If not, then, get into the head!

Tom

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/18/05 at 11:10:02

I tried all kinds of stuff to get a good seal. The putty seemed to work for a while and then it started to leak again. I recently picked up some repair tape for mufflers and catalytic converters at the local Autozone and put in around the connection between the header and muffler. We'll see if it holds very long. I think what I really need to do next time I get by the Autozone is pick up a U-bolt muffler clamp and use it instead of the type that came with the muffler.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by WD on 05/18/05 at 18:33:01

The muffler repair tape lasts exactly 2.2 miles and falls apart. I tried it last month, went back to u-bolt exhaust clamps because I can't find the good ones locally (miniature Kenworth style band clamp).
-WD

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by gazab44 on 05/19/05 at 01:23:52

WD wrote:

I have also used repair tape..only lasted 2 miles >:(..you must of bought the good stuff WD LOL

Bought new clamp, some shimming..so far so good

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/19/05 at 06:09:54

ROFL! Okay, I won't expect much and I'll get a u-bolt clamp this weekend.

WD: Is this the type of clamp you're talking about?

http://www.jegs.com/photos/55530730.jpg

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Reelthing on 05/19/05 at 06:21:37

dang that should do it!

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by WD on 05/19/05 at 07:20:30

That would be the critter in question. I could get a stainless steel unit from JC Whitney, but after the exhaust and grip/lever cover fiascos, I'll never order from them again. I need a 1 15/16 by 2 inch unit, or the pipe is getting welded solid.
-WD

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/19/05 at 08:43:58

There is a 2" version available at http://www.jegs.com/, where that photo comes from.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by gazab44 on 05/20/05 at 02:15:58

Savage_Rob wrote:

WD: Is this the type of clamp you're talking about?

http://www.jegs.com/photos/55530730.jpg

WOW !! thats neater than my silencer...oops muffler LOL

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by gandalph40 on 05/20/05 at 07:47:24

Not meaning to be dense, but which way do you install this? Big end forward or towards the back?

And, is 2" the right size? I really like my muffler, but I have decided I have to stop this leak (found another leak yesterday...blackening my oil check window)

Tom

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/20/05 at 08:31:02

I would assume wider end aft. I ordered one yesterday so when I get it on, I'll let you know if it's the right size.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by gandalph40 on 05/20/05 at 08:38:18

I also assume big-end aft. Can you take a picture after you get it mounted? Thanks!

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by bobo383 on 05/20/05 at 21:26:51

I think I'm going to bite the bullet and have my Screamin' Eagle welded on by the local muff shop. Sounds great, and it's too tough to buffalo down with the u-bolt clamps that worked so well on the stock sportster muff. I tried the muff tape too, with the same results as you guys got. Sux.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by Savage_Rob on 05/21/05 at 21:18:34

LOL, first real riding today after doing the head seal plug, and the broken head bolt, and the dead electrical system (which I'm still not sure about but she's running and I have my theories)... Anyway, yup, the exhaust tape pretty much either went up in smoke, fell off or is going to be pulled off very soon. It lasted maybe 2 miles before it began but might have actually taken 15 miles to fully destruct. Anyway, I hope the new clamp does it. It should arrive next week sometime. At least it looks like there are no oil leaks. I'll give it a few weeks to be sure though.

Title: Re: Backfire just got REALLY bad, ideas?
Post by bobo383 on 05/22/05 at 07:10:14

This post got me looking and thinking - I started getting pops out the pipe after putting on the Screamin' Eagle, and I had removed the entire head pipe for that. I went in yeterday for a look-see, and my head-to-pipe exhaust gasket is trashed. No wonder I got popping and black smoking at the same time on the first Amal run.

Got another one ordered. Thanks, guys!