Spyder running hot with Hindle and Evoluzione O2 modifier

[TonyMac]

Ok, I've always thought that the plastic around the Spyder makes them run a bit hotter than I'd like, but then again, I live in Texas where it's still hot out. When I swapped out the stock pipe for the Hindle, I also installed the SpyderPops Missing Air Dam and I noticed that the Spyder ran much cooler. Significantly so. Whereas before I would run at 4 and 5 bars most of the time, I was now rarely hitting 5 and as soon as I was moving it would drop to 4 quickly. I also noticed a stronger exhaust smell as if it were running richer. On cool mornings at highway speed it would sit at 3 bars, so it was running much, much cooler. I figured that was due to more air flow through the exhaust and that made it run rich and cool. The extra air through the radiator enhanced the effect.

Not one to leave well enough alone, I got my Honda exhaust gaskets, the Evoluzione O2 modifier (and sway bar - great upgrade BTW) and noticed a huge difference. Now, when I start the engine, even on cool mornings (60s here in TX is considered cool) I am now getting up to 4 bars in less than a mile from home and on cool mornings I even hit 5 bars when I slow down and go up the parking garage at work. Where I used to hit 5 bars sitting in traffic, getting moving again it now takes forever in clean air to get back down to 4 again. In 90 degree weather the other day, on the highway at 70, I got behind some semis and slowed down to 65 and hit 5 bars and stayed there for a long time. It's running warm and staying that way.

I took it to South Texas Suzuki who went through it in detail and said everything was functioning normally. The only code noted was that it was running lean which is being caused by the O2 modifier.

Now, I'm not the only one running the Hindle an O2 modifier and I was wondering if anyone else had similar results? Do you consistently run this warm? I suppose warm weather would exacerbate it but here in Texas low 90s is considered cool so I don't know how hot it will get again next summer.

Do I need to remove the bottom splash pans and get more air in there or does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm sure it's nothing to worry about but in my travels with other Spyder riders I've always run warmer then them. Did I get a warm blooded Spyder that is unique?

 

[dave01]

Its been debated on here and almost all bike forums, but as per my findings, anytime you change exhaust or intake parts, you need to add a way of adjusting the fuel mix. Be it a Juicebox or a Power Commander, it will make the Spyder run better ( more correct AF ratio) and that will in turn help it run cooler. A hot spyder is a sign of a lean condition and the fuel/exhaust smell could be from the different pipe and the way the exhaust is vented away from the vehicle. I am in no way an expert on this but have experimented with almost every exhaust/intake combination made for the Spyders.

 

[TonyMac]

Update from South Texas Suzuki

I just got a call from South Texas Suzuki on my problem. The technician did a search and apparently, my VIN series was eligible for a voluntary recall several years back for an optional cooling fan upgrade and my VIN had never been updated. He ordered the part from BRP and it will be here in a few days.

I don't know how many times I asked the techs at Joe Harrison and Yamaha of San Antonio about it running warm. Thanks to Jason at STS for finding what appears to be a smoking gun.

BTW, it was advice from listening to you guys here that made me change to South Texas Suzuki. I'm all for sending your business to someone who cares enough to look into your problem.

Hopefully, this was the root problem and that I've always known about my warm running Spyder.

 

[tanpiover2]

The only code noted was that it was running lean which is being caused by the O2 modifier.


It was my understanding that the O2 mod enrichens the mixture?

 

[stutzmason]

I just got a call from South Texas Suzuki on my problem. The technician did a search and apparently, my VIN series was eligible for a voluntary recall several years back for an optional cooling fan upgrade and my VIN had never been updated. He ordered the part from BRP and it will be here in a few days.

I don't know how many times I asked the techs at Joe Harrison and Yamaha of San Antonio about it running warm. Thanks to Jason at STS for finding what appears to be a smoking gun.

BTW, it was advice from listening to you guys here that made me change to South Texas Suzuki. I'm all for sending your business to someone who cares enough to look into your problem.

Hopefully, this was the root problem and that I've always known about my warm running Spyder.

I have the o2 mod, Hindle (with the baffle removed ), and the splash pans off, no missing air dam, and I hit 4 and 5 bars on the heat display but it depends on whether or not I am running in stop and go traffic or not as to whether or not I hit 4 or 5 bars ... in my experience, this is normal temp range and I am in central Texas ( Killeen, Tx ) similar ambient temps.

 

[coz]

sounds normal

5 bars is normal. lamont has researched this and posted extensively on the subject. mine ran at 5 all summer, including a few 100 degree days. now with cooler weather, i'm at 4-5 bars. just my 2 cents.:thumbup:

 

[NancysToy]

The only code noted was that it was running lean which is being caused by the O2 modifier.


It was my understanding that the O2 mod enrichens the mixture?

That is correct.

 

[NancysToy]

It does enrichen the mixture. But it does so by replacing the actual feedback from the o2 sensor, with a value that indicates a lean condition. The ECU 'sees' that it is lean, and adds additional fuel. Because the ECU sees only the false input from the o2 modifier, the perceived lean condition can never be satisfied, hence the 'lean trouble code'.

Keep in mind, that the o2 Modifier only enrichens in the closed loop areas of the fuel map, which are limited to lower rpm/light throttle areas. Adding fuel in higher throttle and/or higher rpm will require a different fuel control device (Two Brothers or Power Commander).

Thanks for explaining the mechanism by which this works HDX. Since others have not reported a lean fault code with the O2 Modifier installed, would this indicate a problem with the FI or ECM, or is it just an O2 Modifier whose signal is just a bit leaner than the others? Perhaps the fault code first appeared on startup, when the mapping was still dead lean? Even old men need to be educated!

 

[Lamonster]

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...and-temp-readings-after-time-to-eat-some-crow

 

[tanpiover2]

It does enrichen the mixture. But it does so by replacing the actual feedback from the o2 sensor, with a value that indicates a lean condition. The ECU 'sees' that it is lean, and adds additional fuel. Because the ECU sees only the false input from the o2 modifier, the perceived lean condition can never be satisfied, hence the 'lean trouble code'.

Keep in mind, that the o2 Modifier only enrichens in the closed loop areas of the fuel map, which are limited to lower rpm/light throttle areas. Adding fuel in higher throttle and/or higher rpm will require a different fuel control device (Two Brothers or Power Commander).

Excellent explanation, thank you!

 

[TonyMac]

Wow! Great information and a great link by Lamonster. I forgot to mention in my original post that I was two software updates behind (thank you Yamaha of San Antonio) so that would explain why suddenly the heat indicators were reading higher than normal. I have over 3 years experience with this Sypder and know her well and based on the ambient temperature and how hard I'm riding exactly what the heat reading will be so when it was high, it was immediately noticed.

The word from South Texas Suzuki is the upgraded fan will be installed this week. I won't expect a change in heat readings, but will reset my internal clock with respect to expected heat settings.

Thanks to all for the information!