Topic: RUNNING RICH WITH PODS?!

[rk]

I had the exact thing happen with my 400... little splatters of gasoline being spit out of the inlet.

I took the carbs off, cleaned them (again), bench sync'd them as best I could... runs like a charm as of now.

[TwoTired]

Also, stock coils and points, voltage is near perfect. I forgot to mention that I took the pods off to run it today and i noticed little puffs of gas coming out each intake inlet on the carbs. Is this normal or am I just being completely stupid here?

If it is spiting out the inlet of the carbs, there must be positive pressure pules in the intake runner from the piston rising.  I'd check the intake valve seal (Compression test), tappet adjustment, or cam timing.  If you've had the cylinder cover off, I'd be concerned about bent valves due to installation issues.  The manual has a warning about the adjusters hitting the side of the valve stem rather than the top.  It will bend the valve stem every time if not addressed properly.

[Xnavylfr]

I have my theory! But I won't share!!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Lostboy Steve]

Bottom line is if your engine, carbs, ignition are all in good shape the bike shouldn't have much issue with pods or airbox. I have run both on my 77 550 and decided on the airbox ONLY because it actually runs better and has a much broader powerband with the box.

[MattyK]

Alright, when I get back in town I will replace all four plus, check the floats levels again, and adjust the cam chain and see where this all takes it. Anything else?

[MattyK]

Alright everyone, I replaced all four plugs, checked the float levels, and attempted to adjust the cam chain (not sure if it helped or not). Anyway, all the plugs seem fine now except for cylinder 4, It comes out black. Also, the corresponding carb throat is the one that spits out little puffs of gas, float adjustment again? I triple checked it, 22mm everytime, same as the others. Another issue is the plug wire for the fourth cylinder. The 90 degree connector came unattached from the wire, is it supposed to be able to do this? I looked inside the 90 piece and there was a little stem inside that looks like it's supposed to be able to be detached. Ill post a video of the engine sounds too, cam chain sound is still there.

[MattyK]

Plug wire

[Scott S]

If that cap is loose, you're most likely not getting spark on #4, hence the fouled plug.

 Snip off a couple of mm's from the end of that plug wire and screw the cap back on....it just twists on to the wire. Hold the spark plug to the head and turn the engine over and check for spark.
 Clean or replace that plug first.

[MattyK]

Alright thanks, ill give it a shot. Im still working on uploading this darn video...

[TwoTired]

The plug cap should have screw post inside the end that screws into the end of the plug wire.  If it screws in tightly, you are good to go.  If not the the lead need to be trimmed so that the screw post can grab the wire and insulation firmly.

It may not cure the plug fouling but, it is still proper corrective action.

Baby steps...

The spit back on just one carb position still says an intake valve issue.  Check tappet clearance and compression check the cylinder to compare to other cylinders.
Common cause for this is improper cylinder cover installation, forcing a bent valve.  Won't fix that at the carbuettor.

[MattyK]

Scott and TT you guys were spot on the plug wire. It wasn't getting spark, trimmed it, and now it does. Sorry I know im not exactly being easy to work with, im still learning . Anyway heres the video

1974 Honda CB550 engine and carb sounds.

Ill check the tappet clearence and conmpression next, thanks.

[Scott S]

 It's probably gonna snap and pop with no filtration, as it's most likely lean.

 Have you tried turning the idle mixture screw(s)?

[MattyK]

Well it sounded the same with the pods on too. An yes I have, I was referring more to the internal sounds, is the gearbox usually (semi)-loud? That seems to e the main sound here besides the carbs.

[MattyK]

Sorry everyone, I snapped a tappet cover and that prevented me from riding for a week. In the meantime I checked the tappet clearances and the compression, all okay. I rode the bike today without pods, no filter at all, for about 10 minutes. When I got home and checked the plugs they were white...SO im guessing the pods I had were just crappy and extremely restrictive?

[Scott S]

 Let me guess.....cheap Emgo tapered pods? Try the Uni foam pods.

[TwoTired]

FYI, "PODs" are a style, and have no inherent functional or operational specification as to how they perform.

Stating your bike has them is about the same as stating your bike's color.  Changing the color doesn't usually change operating parameters.  Air induction changes are quite another matter.

[MattyK]

You guessed it Scott, would a more high quality set of "air induction apparatuses" or screened velocity stacks be better to build around from here?

[Scott S]

 Nothing beats the stock air box, but if I was going to run pods,I'd use the foam Uni filter pods or the (expensive) K&N pods.