Burning Smell after Installing PCIII and Thunder Air Kit on a VN900 Custom

Antonee · 03-09-2008

Assistance needed here... I installed a Thunder MFG. Air Kit and a Power Commander III on my 2007 900 Custom. Must've jostled something under the gas tank as now I smell something burning (maybe plastic) in that region after running the bike for a few minutes. I've uninstalled the PC III and inspected all of the connectors but now even without the PC III, the smell is still present after a few minutes of idling. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? My next step is likely to be towing the bike to the nearest Kawasaki dealership and having them check it out for me...

botz723 · 03-09-2008

Ant dont panic. just do evrything in reverse order. is it possible somethings just leaning against the head and burning ie a hose from the airkcleaner? also look for things that are just silly. did you possibly run over a plastic bag or something that got stuck to the pipes? look everywhere. remove the gas tank if you have to. if you tow it to the dealer for something that you couldve found first it will cost you a bunch of cash for nuthin. good luck and let us know what it was.

sl3slinger · 03-09-2008

i may be off track here, but sometimes they put like a thin layer of oil coating on parts for shipment, could be ya smell that coating burning off.

Antonee · 03-12-2008

Thanks guys... I think both were viable possibilities. I put the old air intake back on to test for the oil coating hypothesis. I also retraced my steps by removing the tank again inspecting for pinched wires and damaged connectors. Unfortunately, starting the bike back up produced the scent again well before any engine parts got hot... within approximately 2 minutes of idling. Looks like I'll be heading to the dealer.

botz723 · 03-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonee

Thanks guys... I think both were viable possibilities. I put the old air intake back on to test for the oil coating hypothesis. I also retraced my steps by removing the tank again inspecting for pinched wires and damaged connectors. Unfortunately, starting the bike back up produced the scent again well before any engine parts got hot... within approximately 2 minutes of idling. Looks like I'll be heading to the dealer.

Sorry Ant. Good luck.

Antonee · 03-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by botz723

Sorry Ant. Good luck.

Well, got the bike back from the dealer today. They said they followed behind my work and didn't see anything wrong... they even commented that they thought I did well with the installation. Not really sure what the smell was but it seems to have tapered. Still, I appreciate the assistance. Thanks guys.

mbigica · 03-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonee

Well, got the bike back from the dealer today. They said they followed behind my work and didn't see anything wrong... they even commented that they thought I did well with the installation. Not really sure what the smell was but it seems to have tapered. Still, I appreciate the assistance. Thanks guys.

At least you have some "Peace of Mind" now. I know when I work on my bike I get real nervous if something even seems remotely wrong.

So - Now that it's back - notice a difference

BassAddict · 03-20-2008

Sorry to hear that they couldn't find anything. I hate paying money for a shoulder shrug.

On the positive side - if the smell goes away and everything keep working, whatever vaporized couldn't have been too important.

Antonee · 03-23-2008

I did notice a bit of a difference - minor improvement in sound and a bit of a performance kick but not too much. Unfortunately, right after I got the bike home and posted this outcome, I had to bring it back because I was on that VN 900 Fuel Hose Recall list. I feel like I haven't ridden in ages!!

Z-In-Jax · 03-23-2008

Be happy it wasn't' gas that was burning... It really sucks that the dealer didn't find whatever it was that was getting hot, hope it doesn't come back to haunt you some day, but it couldn't have been that important if its still running...

Antonee · 03-23-2008

True dat...

kc6wfs · 03-24-2008

I think i know what it was.. I just saw the thread...

With the stock air box there is a small part on the bottom of the aircleaner that lets excess oil sit and acumlate. I bet when you changer the aribox/filter some of that oil spilled on the heads or exhaust pipe.

03-09-2008	#1 (permalink)
Antonee Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 137	Burning Smell after Installing PCIII and Thunder Air Kit on a VN900 Custom Assistance needed here... I installed a Thunder MFG. Air Kit and a Power Commander III on my 2007 900 Custom. Must've jostled something under the gas tank as now I smell something burning (maybe plastic) in that region after running the bike for a few minutes. I've uninstalled the PC III and inspected all of the connectors but now even without the PC III, the smell is still present after a few minutes of idling. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? My next step is likely to be towing the bike to the nearest Kawasaki dealership and having them check it out for me...

03-20-2008	#8 (permalink)
BassAddict Live Long & Prosper BTK Expert Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 555	Sorry to hear that they couldn't find anything. I hate paying money for a shoulder shrug. On the positive side - if the smell goes away and everything keep working, whatever vaporized couldn't have been too important. __________________ BassAddict 2007 Nomad, Ebony & Metallic Titanium

03-23-2008	#10 (permalink)
Z-In-Jax Custom '07 1500 Classic Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 1,428	Be happy it wasn't' gas that was burning... It really sucks that the dealer didn't find whatever it was that was getting hot, hope it doesn't come back to haunt you some day, but it couldn't have been that important if its still running... __________________ Z VROC #25736 2007 1500 Classic Work in progress..

03-24-2008	#12 (permalink)
kc6wfs Plasma Blue Forum Supporter Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Saugus, Ca Posts: 3,663	I think i know what it was.. I just saw the thread... With the stock air box there is a small part on the bottom of the aircleaner that lets excess oil sit and acumlate. I bet when you changer the aribox/filter some of that oil spilled on the heads or exhaust pipe. __________________ 2007 Vulcan 900 Custom Plasma Blue -- www.myspace.com/nitrophotos

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03-09-2008	#2 (permalink)
botz723 Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 660	Ant dont panic. just do evrything in reverse order. is it possible somethings just leaning against the head and burning ie a hose from the airkcleaner? also look for things that are just silly. did you possibly run over a plastic bag or something that got stuck to the pipes? look everywhere. remove the gas tank if you have to. if you tow it to the dealer for something that you couldve found first it will cost you a bunch of cash for nuthin. good luck and let us know what it was.

03-09-2008	#3 (permalink)
sl3slinger Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,808	i may be off track here, but sometimes they put like a thin layer of oil coating on parts for shipment, could be ya smell that coating burning off.

03-12-2008	#4 (permalink)
Antonee Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 137	Thanks guys... I think both were viable possibilities. I put the old air intake back on to test for the oil coating hypothesis. I also retraced my steps by removing the tank again inspecting for pinched wires and damaged connectors. Unfortunately, starting the bike back up produced the scent again well before any engine parts got hot... within approximately 2 minutes of idling. Looks like I'll be heading to the dealer.

03-23-2008	#9 (permalink)
Antonee Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 137	I did notice a bit of a difference - minor improvement in sound and a bit of a performance kick but not too much. Unfortunately, right after I got the bike home and posted this outcome, I had to bring it back because I was on that VN 900 Fuel Hose Recall list. I feel like I haven't ridden in ages!!

03-23-2008	#11 (permalink)
Antonee Third Gear And Gaining BTK Intermediate Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 137	True dat...

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