2008 Pitbull Engine Cough

littlef66

Littlef66
I purchased a 2008 pitbull last November. I just got through the break in period before winter hit. I finally had a chance to open it up on the interstate today and I noticed a small problem that I thought one of the more experienced BD owners would know the solution to.

The bike runs great but when I am on the interstate running between 70-80mph at 3000rpm the engine seems to "cough" or slightly sputter. Almost like it is not getting any gas for just a brief second. It will do this about every 2 miles. It only happens when I slightly let off of the throttle or when I keep a constant speed without much throttle movement. It never happens when I am accelerating. Does this mean I am running too lean? Any suggestions on what the problem might be.

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks
 

littlef66

Littlef66
I have new V&H dual radius pipes and I have a cone spiked air filter that i added a few weeks ago. The only problem is that it was doing this same thing with all of the stock components on it.
 

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
if not that would be a good start, also depending what cone filter you have you might have to run it so it points straight up (I did and it fixed my cough), also after putting the pipes and air cleaner on did you re-adjust your carb??
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
I purchased a 2008 pitbull last November. I just got through the break in period before winter hit. I finally had a chance to open it up on the interstate today and I noticed a small problem that I thought one of the more experienced BD owners would know the solution to.

The bike runs great but when I am on the interstate running between 70-80mph at 3000rpm the engine seems to "cough" or slightly sputter. Almost like it is not getting any gas for just a brief second. It will do this about every 2 miles. It only happens when I slightly let off of the throttle or when I keep a constant speed without much throttle movement. It never happens when I am accelerating. Does this mean I am running too lean? Any suggestions on what the problem might be.

I really appreciate your help.

Thanks

I take it you installed the BDM kit that comes with the bigger jet kit?

Mine was just doing that last week. And it's done it many times. You need to pull the float bowl off which is easy now with the airfilter set up you have and clean out the intermediate jet. I has very small holes at the top of it and they clog up. Take some 100 lb air to it. Do the main jet to and then take a feeler gauge and clean out the slit in the top of the brass tube that has the blue o-ring on it. Check your float lever and ensure the bowl is clean.

Should fix you up.

:cheers: :cheers:
 

littlef66

Littlef66
I did get the new jet kit. The dealer said that the carb is set up to run in 75-90 degree weather. It was 70 here today so I dont think that would have made a big difference. The dealer just cleaned the jets out. I am not a complete idiot but definetley not as knowledgable as most of you on here. Do you think it is running to lean. My dealer said i might have to come back for carb adjustments. I would like to be able to adjust it myself, but I dont really know what screw will make the fix.
 

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
try running your orig air cleaner out to your dealer and see if the problem goes away!! those cone air filters actually create a reverse vacuum and pull air out of your carb causing problems, like I said I had too run mine straight up so the air would go thru it and not around it!! :cheers:
also if you do a search there is a really good thread on adjusting your carb its pretty easy!!
 

littlef66

Littlef66
I will try it with the cone pointing up. even when I had the stock airfilter on the same issue was happening. Did putting the cone up eliminate all of your issues?
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
I did get the new jet kit. The dealer said that the carb is set up to run in 75-90 degree weather. It was 70 here today so I dont think that would have made a big difference. The dealer just cleaned the jets out. I am not a complete idiot but definetley not as knowledgable as most of you on here. Do you think it is running to lean. My dealer said i might have to come back for carb adjustments. I would like to be able to adjust it myself, but I dont really know what screw will make the fix.
Setting up a carb for 75-90 degree weather is new to me! :loony:

Can't do much for you till you get in there and verify what jets you have and that they are clean. Also, YOU should be able to adjust the carb so down load the S&S file from there website and learn it. Don't rely on someone else to fix your bike when they don't really know what's going on with it. Your carb is very simple to work on.

You should be able to tell us where your accelerator pump is set at, what jets you currently have and whether you have adjusted the air/fuel screw properly.

We're here to help you though.
Good luck,

:cheers:

Oh, you should have the vent screw removed also!
 

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
like Ray said you need to do your adjustments so we can see where you at with your carb!!! Yes it fixed my problem ,but my carb is adjusted properly!! you just have to get your hands dirty and play a little:2thumbs:
 
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littlef66

Littlef66
outdoorsman--It only happens on the hwy. I did a little reading in the how to section on carbs and it mentioned this hwy cough. they said that I will need to go up on my int. jet since it changes at about 2750 rpm
 

outdoorsman26

Well-Known Member
and there you have!!!:2thumbs: it good luck and let us know if you have any more problems we are here to help:cheers: just as a reminder make sure your carb is adjusted properly!!!
 

ALDog

Active Member
I had the exact same issue on the interstate. Below 2750 RPMs just cruising along and it would cough every once in a while. I went up on the intermediate jet and no more cough :up:
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
I had the exact same issue on the interstate. Below 2750 RPMs just cruising along and it would cough every once in a while. I went up on the intermediate jet and no more cough :up:
Thank you. That is a tell tale leaned out on the upper end of int jet.

As said... check the how to section.. I have a carb tuning thread
 
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