Can someone identify this sound?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Behind you, making faces
Can someone identify this sound?
I just took the '94 Fatboy out for about 5-6 miles. I noticed I was hearing a sound that shouldn't be there. It was sort of a huffing, puffing, hissing sound, and by the time I got back home, it was twice as loud as when I left.
I don't have YouTube, but I made a video on my phone. You can especially hear it when I go around the back of the bike. It's that steady hissing sound.
Click to see and listen:
http://www.southtech1644.com/files/FatboyPuffing.mp4
So what do you think? Exhaust leak? Vacuum? Something really bad like a head gasket?
Please advise.
EDIT: I forgot this part. The power of the bike doesn't seem diminished at all.
I don't have YouTube, but I made a video on my phone. You can especially hear it when I go around the back of the bike. It's that steady hissing sound.
Click to see and listen:
http://www.southtech1644.com/files/FatboyPuffing.mp4
So what do you think? Exhaust leak? Vacuum? Something really bad like a head gasket?
Please advise.
EDIT: I forgot this part. The power of the bike doesn't seem diminished at all.
Last edited by Windseeker; May 21, 2021 at 08:09 PM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Behind you, making faces
Not just yet. This only started less than an hour ago.
The bike only has about 36,000 miles. I know that may not mean much, but that sounds low to be having head gasket issues, doesn't it?
The bike only has about 36,000 miles. I know that may not mean much, but that sounds low to be having head gasket issues, doesn't it?
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Behind you, making faces
In that case, the most important question is:
Does the engine have to be dismounted and removed from the frame to fix this?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Huffing, puffing sound....like a locomotive has been described as a blown head gasket. That's what I hear also, but it's a quick walk around clip, and tough to zero in. Things can go south at any miles really.
Edit: You can replace head gasket and rocker gaskets while engine is in the frame. Something you can definitely do.
Edit: You can replace head gasket and rocker gaskets while engine is in the frame. Something you can definitely do.
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Behind you, making faces
Is there anything else I can film/record to help anyone further diagnose? I know it's not the same as seeing it in the flesh, but would that help?
Also, if I were to decide to tackle the job, how long does it typically take? And, should I go ahead and do both heads?
Also, if I were to decide to tackle the job, how long does it typically take? And, should I go ahead and do both heads?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
Sure, a longer video may help. Get closer to the cylinders moving from front to rear, on both sides and don't go fast. Rev up the engine past idle It might eliminate somethings, but a true test would be a compression test to see the difference between two cylinders. Is there any oil coming out anywhere at the head gaskets?
If you are asking about the time it takes to do a head gasket replacement, 2-4 hours, and that's if you have all the tools and parts. Once you start a project, you never know what comes up though. Unless you are in a hurry, take all the time you need. Let's first figure out exactly what's going on.
If it's a head gasket, then just replace that one. No need to do both.
If you are asking about the time it takes to do a head gasket replacement, 2-4 hours, and that's if you have all the tools and parts. Once you start a project, you never know what comes up though. Unless you are in a hurry, take all the time you need. Let's first figure out exactly what's going on.
If it's a head gasket, then just replace that one. No need to do both.
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Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Behind you, making faces
Sure, a longer video may help. Get closer to the cylinders moving from front to rear, on both sides and don't go fast. Rev up the engine past idle It might eliminate somethings, but a true test would be a compression test to see the difference between two cylinders. Is there any oil coming out anywhere at the head gaskets?
If you are asking about the time it takes to do a head gasket replacement, 2-4 hours, and that's if you have all the tools and parts. Once you start a project, you never know what comes up though. Unless you are in a hurry, take all the time you need. Let's first figure out exactly what's going on.
If it's a head gasket, then just replace that one. No need to do both.
If you are asking about the time it takes to do a head gasket replacement, 2-4 hours, and that's if you have all the tools and parts. Once you start a project, you never know what comes up though. Unless you are in a hurry, take all the time you need. Let's first figure out exactly what's going on.
If it's a head gasket, then just replace that one. No need to do both.
I know that probably sounds lame to you guys, but my time is also worth something.
What does this job usually cost, just a ballpark?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 942
Likes: 323
From: Grew up in Texas, moved to AZ
No judgement here. Nothing wrong with supporting your local Indy. Ask around for a respected shop where you are located, and I'm sure you would be set. You can help out the next guy by letting us know what the issue was. Good luck.
