High humidity = really bad running

This is probably a noob question (I'm about a month old with my new-to-me '04 Viffer)... I think I'm noticing that when it gets humid here my bike seems to running very rough and sometimes I even have a hard time starting it. Does anyone else experience this? We've been averaging around 80% or higher.

Thanks,
Anthony

 

True, I've never had any problems with high humidity here in Iowa,I rode sunday and the dew point was in the tropical near oppressive range.

 

Well comming from a drag racing background, where a few hundredths of a second can be the difference between a win and a loss, yes high temps and high humidity really play hell on an engines performance. In additiion the smaller the displacement of the engine the more high humidity and heat will effect its power output.With all that said, an engine shouldn't really run rough or be hard starting due to humidity, I suppose if the air fuel mixture was very much
on the rich side you may notice it running rough, but I would think that would be an extreme case. Anyway I would check my air filter, it should be new or very clean, plus the spark plugs and Ignition wires, you could also check the fuel injectors to make sure they are not carboned up. If nothing else that should keep you busy until the cooler weather arrives! eddie

 

Lanc & TB71... either of you done the Pair valve mod?

rode to work this morning, hard rain, humid ride home with some hesitation on the way back for the first time since I've owned the bike. Mine is bone stock and thought this might be a fix.

 

I just rode a 600 mile round trip to Ft. Bragg NC. The temps were 95-100F with crazy high humidity. I didn't have any problems at all. The bike ran fine with the fan running a lot.

 

The previous owner has done 2 mods to the bike... 1, Turbo City Fuel Pressure Regulator and 2, Dynojet's O2 Eliminators. Do you think this would have any effect?

Some days the bike runs great, other's it doesn't. And it can even vary during the day. Like ,yesterday it was running awful all day (near 100 degrees with 70+ humidity) then late last night when the temp was in the upper 70s and the humidity down to around 40 it ran great. I don't know if just grasping at straws here or what not; but this driving me NUTS!

The previous owner says that he never had problems with it. The only other factor I can think is fuel.. but I've been getting for the same source, same grade (93).

Any ideas?

 

Yo TB71; When you talked about modifications to your bike, you did not mention if you had a power commander or not. If you do what series do you have? If you are running with 02 eliminators and you dont have a power commander in the FI loop, that could be your problem. eddie

 

Eddie,

No, no PC. The previous owner said that the combination of the 2 mods is essentially the "poor man's power commander." The fuel regulator globally enrichens the fuel mixture and the O2 eliminators keep the bike's computer from leaning it out. After talking to a buddy of mine he thinks the bike may be running too rich now and that possibly installing a K&N filter (something I plan on doing anyway) may take care of the problem.

What do you guys think? I"m also considering just removing the mods and seeing if that solves the problem.

Thanks.

 

With the stock fuel mapping and the O2 eliminators, the computer can't adjust the fuel mixture according to the weather. Hook the O2's back up and see if it runs better. Mine is bone stock, and I couldn't be happier.

 

the same gas with the same results? Try a different gas station..

 

Nozzle,

I've been using the same gas from the same station. The problem is not consistant so my thinking is that it wouldn't be the gas. I would think that if it was the gas then I would have a problem all the time.

 

How do I get to the O2 sensors? I cannot find the install instructions for them online.

Thanks.

 

True, try running a tank of 87 octane as stated in the owners manual.

 

take off the left side fairing and the 02 sensors will be at the bottom of the exhaust. follow the wires to a rubber heat shield for the wire harness. the sensor eliminators will be plugged in to the harness there. unplug them and plug the wires off the sensors back into the harness.

 

I have to completely agree with your statement. I noticed this even before I blocked the PAIR valve. High humidity really sucks the juice out of my bike. Any time my engine temp raises significantly I lose power. If I'm stuck in a traffic jam or whatever which allows the temp to raise above the 215 range or so, I notice the loss in power. Obviously with higher temps and humidity the running temp is going to be higher.

I'm enjoying this bike but without question she's the most touchy bitch I've ever owned! :biggrin:

 

That sounds like a friend of mine who can't feel ANYTHING with his bike. We have the same year bike ('03). I started pointing out little things that I noticed after a couple rides on mine that he never noticed until I pointed them out. He's been riding his for about 12,000 miles now. Each of us has different tolerance levels and also different levels of experience with mechanics etc. It makes a huge difference in what you feel and/or recognize.

Oh and Eddie, I wasn't pointing you out that you can't feel anything. Hopefully you don't! Just made me think of a friend. I'm super sensitive to minor changes in anything auto related. Sometimes it's a curse!

 

I too seem to be cursed with the "everything's wrong" gene. It seems like I feel every vibration or hear every click my bike (or truck) makes. I see the bikes some people ride, and say to myself "That thing would drive crazy with all that vibratin' goin on". But, this '07 Ceptor is almost too smooth. Sometimes I wonder if the tires are even touching the road. I was very proud of the bike going to Ft. Bragg. The heat was opressive to say the least, the traffic was insane, but the bike never faltered. It always did exactly what I wanted it to do. All I had to do was make the request. I like to make mods to my bikes (I'm up to 5 now), But I think I'll leave this engine alone. It seems preety sweet, just the way it is.:biggrin:

 

That is the true reason I'm a huge Honda fan. Usually run like clocks without issues anywhere and no mods needed. This Viffer however acts like an office temp with a bad attitude sometimes. I'm finding it to be "unHonda like". :biggrin: My smooth as glass Blackbird really spoiled me.

 

Run the recommended 87 octane and get it back to stock. "poor man" mods are called that for a reason...

Figure out if it's running better or not, then start adding the mods back one-by-one. (I'd recommend just getting a new PC).

 

YO TB71; Go buy a PC3USB, I got a new one for about $250, If you search the internet who knows ,you may get a steal. The powercommander has infinate adjustability but start with the closest map to your bike and go from there, stop making this so hard. anyway who ever suggested running 87 octane gas why ? I dont even use that junk in my lawn mower. what good do you think that it would do?