First of all, to all my US cousins, a big hello and 'idling Evo handshake' from a newbie in the UK !

I wonder if you can help me with a real problem I have?

I have replaced the Cam cover on my 98 Road King twice now in as many months (for cosmetic reasons only). And for those of you who know that this involves stripping the top end, and push rods etc, you will know this is a royal pain in the butt. Anyway, all went back together peachy until the first start the day before yesterday:

The oil warning light stays on after starting, but VERY dimly, in fact almost imperceptibly (only thing that has changed here is a new switch and an adapter to angle it away from the chrome covers on the lifters)

also...and more worryingly:

There is a very very quiet and low frequency noise coming from the RHS of the engine, almost like a low frequency slipping belt and again, almost nothing, but there nevertheless.

Could this be the affect of the new bushes bedding in, or, is there something more sinister at play here? Please, no more top end strips, I could do it in my sleep now

Just in case it makes a difference,I also fitted an M6 auto primary adjuster at the same time...

Any thoughts, am i just Mr Paranoid?

Love

Worried of the UK,

(who now thinks that the little bit of rust on the cover was not all that bad and is shocked to find that he is now riding a 'Classic' WHAT [][])

 

Neil,
Are you positive that you have the correct part number cover for your engine? Is this an original factory HD part, or aftermarket? If aftermarket, was the cover made by a reputable manufacturer or is it an Asian knockoff?

I'm asking these questions as the difference in model years effects oil flow. Secondly if the cam bushing was not line honed correctly or the oil flow is cutoffthiscould be causing the noise you are hearing. Sounds like the cambushing is getting torn up, the answers may lay in the questions I asked.

 

Hi Buddy,

Many thanks for replying, good to hear from you.

The current one is a genuine, brand new and squeeky clean harley part. The mechanic told my that I wouldn't need to ream or hone these bushes as it is a stock part, two things:

1. As I was cranking the crank by hand to find the TDC, the camshaft unmeshed itself from the crank, could this have over-strained the Needle roller bearing in the crank?
2. The noise from the RHS is so quiet, I wonder if I am dreaming it!!
3. On a ride this morning, got into work and I noticed (HORROR!) for the first time, there is a blow of oil coming from the rocker cover. Would the pressure switch be sensitive enough to pick tis up? (I notice that 'at speed' there is no sign whatsoever of the oil light, only at low rpm and idle)

Neil

 

First off welcome aboard.
I noticed you mentioned a new oil switch, silly idea but your sure the switch is the right one and is working fine. WOuldnt be the first time soemnes ripped a motor aporat to find it was a faulty switch. Do you have acess to a pressure gauge so you can check what prssure the pump is creating ?

 

Its a switch from an FLHT, with a grand plan about 4 mths ago of installing a proper oil pressure guage on the motor (2") and its genuine Harley, new about 3 mths ago....

 

Where abouts int he UK are you Neil ?

 

Hey Neil, if you put a set of adjustable pushrods in, like Crane Timesavers or equivalent, you will not have to strip the top end to pull the cam cover. I cut my old ones out with a bolt cutter. I think Buddy may have spotted the problem. Good luck.

 

Now then....do I blame the great god of V Twin gremlins, or, do I come clean....hmmmm....

I think, out of respect for my fellow Evo-doers that I should confess, honesty is good for the soul

1. The dim oil light - I have changed the stock FLHR single pole sensor for an FLHT twin pole sensor (For a future oil guage) . One pole is earth and provides the power for your red warning light and the other is the analogue output for the guage. The analogue output will give varying voltage, depending on oil pressure, can you guess where I am going with this? Swapped the wires round, everything is fine....

2. The blowing rocker gasket - I put the middle and upper rocker covers on at 2am (bit of a night owl) and when I took them apart to check the torque settings of the rocker last night, I discovered I had two lower rubber gaskets....so, I tink I must have had one in place, put the new one on the lower rocker then put all the otehr bits on top...I have just idled the engine in the garage for 30 mins (no sign of oil) and I am about to go out for a blast....5 will get you 10 that it was this Welsh idiot, rather than anything to do with ma hawg

Who's gonna slap me first?

Neil

Ribcracker - High Wycombe

 

small world hey I am over the border in Luton

 

Well burger me!! I just did my road test from Wycombe up to miltom Keynes and back via the M1 and M25...

I could have hurled abuse at you from the motorway

All the best

Neil