Kevin07
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted August 13, 2014 12:30 AM
2008 ZX14 Running Excessively Lean
Hi All, looking for some help.
I have transplanted a ZX14 engine that was purchased second hand into an Off Road race car. Using the original ecu, fuel pump etc with a custom airbox and a full Yoshimura exhaust
Fired it up today and it appears to be running way too lean, the exhaust glows red where it exits the head after a couple of minutes at idle.
The only thing I am unsure of is there are 2 hoses going into # 3 and 4 throttle bodies that according to the manual go into some sort of vacuum switch and then into a canister and eventually back into the fuel tank, I think this is some sort of emission stuff, but we didn't get any of that with the engine so I just blocked those 2 hoses off with a bolt in the end. Doesn't make any difference plugged or unplugged still running lean.
This is a California model I believe, we sourced the engine from the USA
Cheers for any ideas on where to look for the problem
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Knewjack

Novice Class
Posts: 49
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posted August 13, 2014 06:47 PM
Hook up a wideband and get a true reading for starters I think.
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MotoCycho

Expert Class
Posts: 337
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posted August 13, 2014 11:37 PM
Agree. Get some AFR numbers asap.
As for the the hoses that connect back to #3 & 4 at the throttle boddies, those are just CA passive emission crap to recapture hydrocarbons. Unless the caps u used aren't sealing & sucking air, it won't cause ur lean running. Mine are fully capped and have been since 07. Make sure ur caps are tight and move on.
I'd suspect ur air box design is flowing too much. A lot goes into the design of the Japanese motorcyle airbox. I realize it's not something u can transplant with the lump of A zx-14. Got any pics of what you have made up?
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Kevin07
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted August 14, 2014 03:39 AM

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Kevin07
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted August 14, 2014 03:42 AM
Thats on a zx14r in another car, but the one on the ZX14 is pretty much the same.
Interestingly, dont have the lean problem with the 14r, but thats an Australian engine and has the O2 sensor which I assume the ECU can use to monitor AFR's
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Kevin07
Parking Attendant
Posts: 4
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posted August 14, 2014 03:52 AM
Edited By: Kevin07 on 14 Aug 2014 11:53
In case anyones interested, this is the car running the 14r

And the car we are transplanting the 14 into

Lot of fun to drive with a locked rear axle and yes, lack of traction can be an issue !
Cheers
Kev
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Ozonkiller
Expert Class
Posts: 350
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posted August 14, 2014 02:01 PM
Air box should have nothing to do with lean at idle.
When you say pipes are glowing at idle, that wouldn't surprise me with single wall pipes. Both my 14 and BMW boxer have single wall pipes and they'll both glow in dim light.
I'd say that if there is truly a problem, it's late ignition timing more so than fuel. Also waaaay rich will allow fuel to burn in the exhaust, causing the same symptom.
I agree, sniff it and see what your A/F really is. Otherwise your just guessin'
Tom
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