Running a little lean

[Huddleston]

I've read many posts about whether to add the juice box. My ryde is a 2013 RTS SE5. I have a stock exhaust, Kewl metal air filter and Spyder1Attitude Cat bypass pipe. I have had no problems and really like the sound and loss of heat. I just had my second service done (at 6500 miles) and the mechanic says it is showing a code for running a little lean. He suggested I might consider installing something like the Juice Box. However, he says it is not lean enough to cause a problem now. My question is whether running "a little lean" can cause damage to the engine in the long run. Any thoughts?

 

[cjackg]

I've read many posts about whether to add the juice box. My ryde is a 2013 RTS SE5. I have a stock exhaust, Kewl metal air filter and Spyder1Attitude Cat bypass pipe. I have had no problems and really like the sound and loss of heat. I just had my second service done (at 6500 miles) and the mechanic says it is showing a code for running a little lean. He suggested I might consider installing something like the Juice Box. However, he says it is not lean enough to cause a problem now. My question is whether running "a little lean" can cause damage to the engine in the long run. Any thoughts?

Did he give you the Buds report or tell you the Code ?

 

[beanoil]

There are a couple of ways to handle this. Obviously a juice box handle the duties of keeping the injector on slightly longer to add more fuel. Increasing fuel pressure works also, but would be problematic dealing with the pump replacement. Maybe these guys can help... http://fuelinjectorclinic.com/fuel-injector-modification If the injector can be modded for more flow, this is cheaper than the juice box, and doesn't doink with the electrics. I'm not saying they can help, I didn't do anymore than a cursory check, but there are only a few ways to deliver more fuel, and changing injector flow is one of them.

 

[Bob Denman]

Four-strokes can handle a bit of leanness way better than any two-stroke ever dreamed of doing...
Why not just try going back to a completely stock intake setup?
That might just fatten things up enough that it becomes a non-issue!

 

[Huddleston]

He did not give me the code, but I will call and ask for it. Thanks also for the fuel injector site, I'll check into it. I really don't think it is a problem from what the mechanic said, but I am concerned about the long term.

 

[Chupaca]

Have to agree..!!

:agree: stock intake with k&n filter or other better flowing cleaner..!!

 

[cjackg]

Four-strokes can handle a bit of leanness way better than any two-stroke ever dreamed of doing...
Why not just try going back to a completely stock intake setup?
That might just fatten things up enough that it becomes a non-issue!

In the past year several RT owners have replaced the RT oem Airbox with a KewlMetal Intake Kit. Some of these converted RTs still run the stock exhaust, some run slip-on pipes such as TwoBros or Yoshimura, and some have even removed the Cat plus run a straight-thru muffler. As far as I know, None of them added a juice box or fuel tuner or reported having any lean problems.

This is the first time I have heard of the Intake conversion resulting in a lean situation or Code. Maybe Roger, DocRiverside, Dr Buck, CyncySpyder, or others have some thoughts on this based on their experience. For me, I am having no issues with my KewlMetal Intake + Yoshimura slip-on. Going back to the stock airbox seems like a nightmare!

>Followup note:... I think most of the conversions done previously were on pre-2013 RTs. Wonder if anyone else has done it on a 2013...

 

[Huddleston]

Chupaca, I have no idea what you mean:yikes:. Cjackg, going back to the stock airbox would difficult as I had to cut it into several pieces to get it out.:banghead:

 

[cjackg]

Chupaca, I have no idea what you mean:yikes:. Cjackg, going back to the stock airbox would difficult as I had to cut it into several pieces to get it out.:banghead:

I actually have a 2012 airbox in one piece with resonator but am saving it in case its needed some day when I trade my RT in on a new one with bigger engine.:thumbup:

 

[Spyder4Tess]

My question is whether running "a little lean" can cause damage to the engine in the long run. Any thoughts?

I think running lean is going to lead to loss performance.The correct amount of fuel will make the engine run at it's best.
Now if there is any preignition(pinging),that could cause engine damage over time.

Since you went as far as to change the intake and part of the exhaust,I would upgrade the tuning.JMO.

 

[Huddleston]

I have a theory...

I just got back from a 150 mile ride and checked to see if there were any codes. There were none. As I understand it, codes that are in the Syder's history can only be seen when connected to BUDS. What my mechanic may have seen is a lean code in my history. This would have been after the Cat Bypass, but before the computer made its adjustment. The procedure after the bypass is to start the engine and let it run for about 5 minutes (that is when the code would have registered). Then remove the key and take it away from the Spyder for a few minutes, and then restart the engine to let the computer make its adjustment. Since I am currently not registering a lean code, I believe I am good to go without adding a Juice Box. That is my theory and I am sticking to it. Thanks to everyone for your input.

 

[cjackg]

I just got back from a 150 mile ride and checked to see if there were any codes. There were none. As I understand it, codes that are in the Syder's history can only be seen when connected to BUDS. What my mechanic may have seen is a lean code in my history. This would have been after the Cat Bypass, but before the computer made its adjustment. The procedure after the bypass is to start the engine and let it run for about 5 minutes (that is when the code would have registered). Then remove the key and take it away from the Spyder for a few minutes, and then restart the engine to let the computer make its adjustment. Since I am currently not registering a lean code, I believe I am good to go without adding a Juice Box. That is my theory and I am sticking to it. Thanks to everyone for your input.

I think that is very likely, or it may even be a stray code caused by some other event. Checking the codes regularly will make sure. I would also take a look at the plugs sometime to confirm there is no sign of running lean.:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: A plug check is never a bad idea... :thumbup: