'Hey guys. I have an '04 Screaming Eagle E Glide with 70 k miles on it. Just recently, the engine has started skipping. The rear cylinder is not firing all the time at idle. Did a compression test with these results: Both plugs out: the front cylinder hits 150 lbs consistently with WOT and with no throttle. The rear cylinder hits 70 lbs with a few revolutions and then all of a sudden, it hits 150 lbs.. I release the pressure guage and try it again and get the same readings. There seems to be no pattern when it hits 150 lbs., sometimes it will turn over a few more or less times before it hits 150 lbs. AND, to complicate things, when actually riding, anything over idle, it runs smooth as can be. No skip at all and plenty of power. All this with the engine cold or hot. The bike has around 70K miles on it and still runs strong, just don't idle too good. The engine has never been worked on or modified in any way except at 30 k miles, I had the dealer install a new screaming eagle cam chain tensioner with high flow oil pump and I just put in an Axtell oil bypass unit which did raise the oil pressure at all RPMs. The skipping was before the oil bypass unit was added too . I'm thinking that the exhaust valve may be sticking or maybe a bad hydraullc lifter, something along those lines. Anyone have any ideas or thoughts as to what might be causing it?Thanks

 

Sounds like it needs a new top end. Unless it's skipping timing like the tensioners quit. When's the last time the tensioners were checked out? Yes I know it was switched for the se one but it still uses plastic shoes.

 

What Engine temperature does this happen at? above 300ºF or there about? ...sounds like EITMS skip-fire which is meant to stop the engine overheating in traffic.

Did the 04's have EITMS??

 

Thanks for the replies. To answer a couple of your questions: The cam tensioners are in very good condition, show very little wear. My '04 model does not have EITMS. Anyone else?

 

oops. Guess y'all can tell I'm a computer dummy! lol made too many replies.

 

So it does this all of the time?

Fire up the bike first thing in the morning and it does it then as well?

 

My guess is you have a sticking valve. Very common in aircooled engines. Usually shows up on cold starts and at idle.

 

Yep, it skips when its cold or when the engine is hot. If it is a sticking valve, what's the fix? Guess it means tearing down the top end, huh?

 

I would pull the heads and disassemble them. You will probably find the stem seals worn out and pulling oil down the guide which can create a buildup at the end of the guide. Usually the exhaust is the worst. You have good compression so you can freshen the heads up and keep going.