How can I tell if my engine is misfiring on one cylinder:

Something is wrong with my engine and I don't know where to start. Every cylinder pulse feels like someone is hammering on the frame. Noticeable at all RPMs and not chain related. Higher RPMs the harder it hammers. My last tank was only 31 MPG and this one looks to be the same or worse.

This weekend I will double check my sync and also look for loose vacuum lines. Aside from plugs maybe being bad with maybe 10K miles on them, and posibbly a bad TC tensioner, I don't know what it can be. Would valves out of adjustment cause vibration? I ride sorta hard, but not every single ride. I've read about people suggesting motor mount, but at only 27K on the bike, I would be surprised. I'll see if I find anything obvious, otherwise it sits until I can get it to John at Jett Tuning and have him look at it.

I miss the smoothness. Before it felt like gentle tapping on the bike with a rubber mallet. Now, it feels like someone is drumming on my frame with a framing hammer. I have read this, as a general guideline of where to look. I want to start with the simple first. http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/5-causes-of-engine-vibration

 

does it do it in neutral?

 

I would try a set of plugs before getting too worried.

 

The easiest way is to use one of those new fangled temp guns, just measure each exhaust pipe temp at the same distance from the head and if one oot of sorts it will stick oot like a sore thumb. Here is a dirt cheap model.

http://www.eachbuyer.com/handheld-i...tm_source=google&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=[PLA]America%28EN%29&gclid=Cj0KEQiAwaqkBRDHx6rzxMqAobgBEiQAxJazJ_Z27E3fTT5zI8TGzrxciW5_v_SEvjdxKkPDB_zzsfoaAqSN8P8HAQ

 

Your doomed, give me your bike with the title and I'll fix it, thus saving you lots of $$$$.
Not sure about may be causing this issue since I'm not a mechanic and I'm as dumb as I look. What I've done to check for cylinder misfiring, cheap and easy, is a spray bottle. Spray each exhaust pipe and time how quickly the water evaporates. Better results are achieved once the bike has reached operating temperatures.
Another cheap alternative is to buy stick-on thermometers, similar to fridge magnets in size and shape, and some are magnetic.
On one bike it was so bad that the water instead of evaporating quickly, it just dripped down the pipe.

 

New plugs, injector cleaner and check all coils make sure they haven't come lose. (Found one on mine).

 

And once your done with the lazer temp gage, you can use it for your bbq or drive your pets nutty. :loco: :wave: toe

 

I almost mentioned what a wonderful tool it is for driving dogs and cats to within an inch of madness.

 

I'll do an oil change next weekend and check for metal. I had a small amount at the last oil change, but that was over 6K miles on it. I listened to some videos of other bikes with a spun nearing and mine does not have the knocking sound, but I will run it again tomorrow morning and listen to it with a big screwdriver I have.

 

A misfiring cylinder isn't likely to make that noise ! :disturbed:

I'm with tinkerbelle: rod bearing.

 

Plugs have about 10K on them. I ran it at idle yesterday morning and no untoward noises or at least nothing that sounded like knocking. I'll give it new plugs and see what happens. I may just drop it off at Jett Tuning, not sure at this point. I have some vibration from the front brakes and my brakes and or forks are sticking too. I think she has been rode hard and put away wet too many times and needs some love. 27K on her now and looks like I may have ridden her hard a time or two too many. I'll have time next weekend to work on it and I'll see if I can get some time this week as well.

Ugh, that's the price for the fun I guess.

 

So, what I have found thus far is that the #3 cylinder plug looks like it is running leaner than the others. I pulled each plug and the other three looked the same, but #3 definitely looked different. I may have a vacuum leak or an injector that isn't flowing right. I did grab a big screwdriver and listen to the engine while idling and I did NOT hear any knocking of any kind. I do have oil on the threads of each plug tho, so it looks like new valve cover gaskets will be needed soon

 

Lint
Try a bottle of Techron on your next fill up to see if it improve :noidea:

 

Luckily, it's not a noise, just a thudding type vibration.

 

Seafoam. ....my be that easy....HOPEFULLY BRO

 

Hey Duccman,
I should like every one of your posts, just because of your avatars!

 

I'll give Techron a shot this weekend.

 

Ahh, OK...we should of gone to chopperfest in Ventura yesterday. ...
Sorry fer the hijack