Triumphrat

Dan_K · 08-15-2005, 03:05 PM

Hey all,
My 95 Thunderbird has recently started exhibiting some odd behaviour. It's a little tricky to diagnose precicely, since after having returned from the shop (apparently needed a new coil) the tach is dead. The bike runs very well at low revs despite feeling a little underpowered, but somewhere around 5000+ RPMs it sort of falls apart. In any gear once I reach that magic rev limit it begins spluttering and coughing like crazy, and refuses to go any faster without serious prodding. The spluttering occasionally produces some blue-ish smoke from the pipes. It feels like the left side of the bike is choking to death while the right side tries to maintain speed.
I have a friend who is more mechanically adept than I and he said it seemed like the fuel mix was not getting enough air (too lean?). He recommended that before I try disassembling the carbs, to spray some carb cleaner in the air intakes, which I tried without improvement, and also that it might be some problem with the spark plugs, which I plan to try this week. I've also run my last few tanks with some carb cleaning fuel treatment, without success.
Anyone who's solved a similar problem, or has any advise?

Thanks

Dan

fbird · 08-15-2005, 04:18 PM

Definately check the plugs and wires first. Its possible the plug wire wasn't put on all the way when the coil was replaced. Or possibly a plug fouled out from not getting enough spark with the bad coil. If the bike was running good before the coil issue I doubt it would be a carb issue. Good Luck Shawn

maxpower · 08-15-2005, 06:43 PM

What was it doing before you took it to the shop? And what was done at the shop?
I had mine display similar behavior (running poorly and no tach) after I had the gas tank on and off several times changing the coolant. As it turned out, I had managed to dislodge one of the coil leads. ...popped it back on and all better!

You can easily check for missing connections, If you peek up under the right side of the tank You should be able to see all 3 coils and if any wires are off of their respective terminals.