[Zauric]

I have a 2000 Roadking that started running rough in the middle of a trip. It only happened when it was hot. After about 30 or 40 miles down the road. The rear intake gasket went bad. I replaced it and the spark plugs. I took it for a test ride and she was humming once again. I resummed my trip the next day and after about 60 or seventy miles it started running rough again. I looked at the plugs and they were black. I also noticed that I was only getting half the gas mileage I should be getting. The difference now is it doesn't have to heat up to run rough. Any idea's about what this problem could be would be greatly appreciated

[chucktx]

black plugs indicate a rich situation. check aircleaner and intake. i have found birds in intakes before. if carbed, check choke for full open. hope this helps
chuck

[Zauric]

My RK is injected. I'll try cleaning the filter. What else would make it run rich? Do I need to put it on the pc and re-calibrate the injectors or re map it?

[chucktx]

i am not real familiar with efi.....but the board is loaded with gurus!!! lol if you can do the pc check your self in would not hurt.....but i dont see a efi getting "out of adjustment" unless something is telling it to overfuel.......your problem is either overfueling, or lack of air. have fun and keep us posted
chuck

[Zauric]

Thanks for the info Chuck. I'm relocating to the Ozarks in a couple of weeks and hope to get it running right so I can make the initial ride to find a home for my family. There are some great roads I'm hoping to ride.

[edgehaha]

Zauric,

This out in left field, but is it possible you used an octane gas lower than 91? I know you've had your scooter for a few years, but maybe you spaced out at the pump and put 87 in your tank. Some of your symptoms sound like vapor lock.

Air filter is the most obvious problem.

Did you do a recent stage I on your bike? I've heard of techs uploading the wrong flash (or maybe they screw up and don't do the upload at all) for the ECM and the bike runs lean, but your symptoms indicate running rich.

Try smelling your plugs when you pull them and see if they smell like burned oil or gas. That could be another indication of your problem

[Zauric]

No, I'm pretty religous about the grade of gas I put in Bernadette. LOL I don't want her talkin back!! Is there something I could have messed up when I took the intake off the heads when I changed the gaskets? I haven't had a stage I done. The only work done was replacing the worn intake gaskets. The rear gasket failed and I had and air leak during my last long distance trip.

[edgehaha]

I'd certainly look at the gasket to make sure it's lined up. If it slipped during reassembly, it may be blocking air flow, that could be the cause of a rich fuel mixture. I would be concerned about air leaking past your filter. Maybe some road dirt slipped past your throttle body and intake manifold.

[Zauric]

Thanks Edge. I've put new plugs in and ran it with the air cleaner off for a while. Then looked at the plugs. They looked white or grey. not black any more. I'm gonna give it a road test with the air cleaner on and see how she does. Thanks for the tips about the gasket slipping. If she fails the road test, that will be the next thing I look at.

[Zauric]

Ok.... I think I've found the problem. I think it's the fuel pressure regulator. I was talking to a mechanic and he gave me some insight into this. The part cost's about 80 bucks so it'll have to wait for a bit. Thanks for all the help guys, I'll let you know if that was the problem.