exsessive valvetrain noise
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
From: San Bruno
exsessive valvetrain noise
So I've noticed that I've been getting a lot more noise from the motor lately. Seems to vibrate more too, and even more so when sitting on a slope. I run rendline synthetic, but its been 10,000 miles since I've started running it and never had a problem so I don't think its an oil issue. I'm just hoping my top end isn't taking a crap on me. Changing the oil this weekend so ill be looking for metal. But anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Washington state
From the sound of it you may want to check your cylinders to see if there is any problems.
From an online source they recommend checking the cam chain tensioner. But I really don't know how reliable that source is. I hope all is well.
From an online source they recommend checking the cam chain tensioner. But I really don't know how reliable that source is. I hope all is well.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
What year is your bike ? 2007 and later have the newer style Hydraulic style cam chain/shoes set-up which seems to be much more reliable. I checked mine ( 2008 fxd) at 55k miles and everything looks very good. If yours is older I would certainly check the cam tensioners. You can cut open the oil filter and look through the pleats for shoe material particles.
Having said that, my top end was noisy with Synthetic oil ( singer sewing machine sound of sorts ) .I switched over to Valvolive 20-50 vee twin dino oil and use 1qt of shell rotella dino diesel oil. This for whatever reason makes my top end much quieter, and a few of my friends have switched over to this with the same results. In the winter I run straight Shell rotella diesel oil with great results, then in the spring I switch over to the 20-50 Valvolne/ Shell Rotella mix.....
I live in North West Florida where its hot and humid in summer and believe it or not it gets cold here in the winter, 30s and 40s at night. I ride 365 days a year cold and hot weather and this works great for me. Bike has 57k miles on it with zero troubles.
Having said that, my top end was noisy with Synthetic oil ( singer sewing machine sound of sorts ) .I switched over to Valvolive 20-50 vee twin dino oil and use 1qt of shell rotella dino diesel oil. This for whatever reason makes my top end much quieter, and a few of my friends have switched over to this with the same results. In the winter I run straight Shell rotella diesel oil with great results, then in the spring I switch over to the 20-50 Valvolne/ Shell Rotella mix.....
I live in North West Florida where its hot and humid in summer and believe it or not it gets cold here in the winter, 30s and 40s at night. I ride 365 days a year cold and hot weather and this works great for me. Bike has 57k miles on it with zero troubles.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
Likes: 10
From: Rochester, NY
I usually use regular oil for a break in period on new motors then switch to synthetic oil. Conventional oil breaks down quicker and has more resistance than synthetic oil causing engines to wear quicker. The longer you wait to switch over to synthetic oil the noisier your motor will get due to loosening up from wear.
How many miles are on the engine? It might be time for a rebuild.
How many miles are on the engine? It might be time for a rebuild.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
Before you take the engine apart have a really good look at all the bits of the exhaust and heat shields, make sure nothing is loose. Check that the exhaust isn't touching the frame anywhere. Check the front motor mount has clearance between the top of the rubber and lug on the engine. Also check for any other loose stuff like fuel tank mount bolts.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 710
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From: San Bruno
I've got about 14,700 miles on it. Been running synthetic since 5000 miles. There's a chance I might have an exhaust leak since I put my th on myself at 300 miles without changing the gaskets since they looked brand new. Maybe ill try putting new gaskets on and see if it helps. I ride it everyday except in rain. Guess ill check the tank too just incase its loose. And at 15k miles I hope it doesn't need a rebuild. The dealer probably wouldn't warranty it because I put the ac and th on myself.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 10
From: Suffolk, England
I've got about 14,700 miles on it. Been running synthetic since 5000 miles. There's a chance I might have an exhaust leak since I put my th on myself at 300 miles without changing the gaskets since they looked brand new. Maybe ill try putting new gaskets on and see if it helps. I ride it everyday except in rain. Guess ill check the tank too just incase its loose. And at 15k miles I hope it doesn't need a rebuild. The dealer probably wouldn't warranty it because I put the ac and th on myself.
On my bike it makes noise like that some days and some days it doesnt. But it done it since day one.ive put 10k on mine since last august, i just keep an eye on the oil for metal but is nice and clean so i think its just the nature of the beast