I've got a new noise on my 2013 FLHTK. If I start it up cold and shut it back down within 30 seconds I hear a metallic clink from the area of the front head. It's pretty repeatable and I'm wondering if there is anything that could cause that noise and also cause oil consumption.

I'll also add that about a year ago I started hearing noise while the engine was cold running down the highway. I attributed it to the throttle body which had never made noise before that. Now I'm wondering if what I thought was the throttle body noise is related to the new noise. Does anyone know if temperature has any effect on throttle body noise?

I've got a trip planned for September and want to make sure I take care of any issues before then.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

My guess would be the compensator and you think it's coming from the head. You didn't say how many miles on the bike.

 

Thanks for reply, Max.

I don't think it's the comp. Sounds like it's more on the right side. 140,000 miles on it. I replaced the flywheels (S&S) and had the heads ported at 83,000 miles.
Tonight when I rode it home from work, I heard it again at shutdown. It's a warm day and was up to operating temperature, so I'll have to back up on saying it only happens when cold.

Randy

 

Maybe a bad cam chain tensioner?

 

That's a good thought.

You don't think it could be from the head? The only thing I could think of was a loose valve guide, but don't know if that makes sense.

 

I would think that if it were a valve guide or seat for that matter, it would make more noise when hot as a loose seat or guide will only become looser as everything heats up.

 

I slept on it last night and I think you have a good point. The cam pads make the most sense.
I think I'll just take a looksee in the cam chest.

Thanks for the help

 

a hydraulic lifter is another source. when cold and the engine was down for a while, spring pressure will devoid the lifter of oil and the hd lifters can take a good while to operate correctly.

 

I appreciate the input, but it is not a lifter. It's difficult to describe a noise, but if you heard it you would understand.

 

Anter thing to look at could be a loose pinion sprocket. If either that or chain tensioner, the noise would stem from how the motor stops when cool. The motor will stop quicker possibly leaving it in a position where lifter rolls past a the tops of a cam lobe and the valve spring pressure rotates the cam forward. The action either snaps the chain or rotates a loose sprocket and you get the click. It's a guess for sure but tensioners do fail and pinion sprockets come loose.