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Hello all, have this bike 40K miles, mobil 1 since new (I am second owner). I recently have noted how noisey the valvetrain is on this motor. Its not terrible, but is a pretty decent clacking when engine is hot, just a light tick when cold. I have had two years, and didnt think much of it knowing that these motors are known to tick, until reading more about people replacing lifters in evo's preventatively. Can anyone give a sense for how much clatter is concerning? Should I open the cam chest to inspect?
The 98 should have the good lifters. I have 50,000 on my 99 with no problems so far. I did change out the inner cam bearing at about 23,000, but those usually give a siren sound when they go bad. You might try a stethascope to locate where the noise is for sure, or just a screw driver up to your ear and placed on the cam chest and then on the rocker box.
It is rare but you might want to check the screen filter that is in the cam chest. If it is plugged it would restrict oil flow to the lifters.
Last edited by Jim Kraft; Dec 3, 2015 at 06:28 PM.
Service bulletin was issued to the dealers back in the day, stating to "inspect and/or replace at 25,000 miles".
Open that cam chest up and hopefully no damage has yet occured.
If a roller has come apart, oil pump needs to be looked over, and all oil lines and oil tank need to be completely cleaned.
We replace them with S&S here.
Scott
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1998 FXDL - Valvetrain Noise
