Engine Knock

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Jan 27, 2014 | 06:23 AM

#21

Hillsidecycle.com

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I'd have someone pull the top-end off it, inspect it and attend to it.
Hell, one of my bikes is a 1967 FLH, it does not use oil.
Scott

Jan 28, 2014 | 05:27 PM

#22

bshapiro

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Engine Knock - oil consumption

Hillsidecycle - agreed, thank you! I am the someone, however, I have until Dec 2015 on the extended warranty. The local H-D service dept is hung up on the oil consumption corp gives them as the line to cross before they think its an issue. You probably hear that from other customers. But I don't agree with their opinion, I am with you on this one. So H-D wants it to show up on a trailer before they will get into the motor. I don't want to go in and replace stuff and jeopardize whatever benefits I have to this warranty. I am a believer in maintenance, not wait till it breaks person.

Mar 18, 2014 | 08:27 PM

#23

bshapiro

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engine knock

I had decided to have an independent shop rebuild the motor, would have been around the 100k mark April 15 between two big rides, from the keys to across the blue ridge. We didn't get that far. Buddy pulls up behind me says he figured out where my quart per ride was going, turned around to look and his windshield was full of oil! So... My buddies and my wife talk me out of spending any oney on a wore out bike. I traded it in for a 2014 street glide.

Last edited by bshapiro; Mar 18, 2014 at 08:32 PM. Reason: spelling and grammer

Mar 26, 2014 | 09:34 PM

#24

Wooddy04EGUC

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From: Bancroft, MI

I'm experiencing engine knock. My 88 has 80k on it. I was in Flagstaff yesterday when cruising about 75 when out of know here I had a loud knocking in the engine. This bike has a fair amount of top end noise but this was bad. Had it towed to a dealer and it wouldn't do it again. That figures so we take off for salt lake. About 100 miles from home it hits again. I got it on video this time and had it towed again to the dealer where it sits now. If I had to guess It sounds like the rear cylinder. But how can the problem disappear for 400 miles then reappear again? Can lifters or valves stick? If it is piston slap how does it just stop for 400 miles and come back? Any other ideas? Sorry for hijacking this thread but it seems appropriate. Thanks.

Mar 27, 2014 | 02:35 AM

#25

bshapiro

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TJ, try some marvel mystery oil, about 20 oz or so mixed in before my oil changes kept the noises away! If it is a dirty lifter it may go away. I was amazed my self, never had used or believed in such things, but my noise would happen irregular. as soon as I added the marvel, immediately, the noise stopped. lead me to believe I had a stuck or sticky lifter. the noise while the engine warmed up had been in the bike since day one, just went away. not to say this is a cure all of any means, a bad lifter is well... a bad lifter.

Mar 27, 2014 | 10:44 AM

#26

Wooddy04EGUC

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From: Bancroft, MI

Thanks bshapiro, Once I get a call from the dealer Ill throw an update up here. Because I had a fair amount of top end noise when talking to the mechanic in AZ. He suggested doing the Big Bore Upgrade and have the heads redone. Any thoughts on that?

Mar 27, 2014 | 12:48 PM

#27

bshapiro

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TJ, I am all for a rebuild, but don't forget the cam chest, you have a chain with tensioners, lifters and cam. the noises mean things aren't fitting together and most likely cause more wear on all those parts. I am however not a fan of making the stock motor any bigger.

Mar 27, 2014 | 02:54 PM

#28

Wooddy04EGUC

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From: Bancroft, MI

ya if I were to go to 95" or 98" I would probably do cams and some mild head work. I had the cam chest opened last week to inspect the tensioners and they were in great shape. I think they were done @ 57k with the oil pump. Not Hydraulic though.

Until I hear back from HD Im just throwing stuff out there. I have no problem increasing HP and torque a bit especially if it needs some work anyways.