Need engine......
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
One time I had a flywheel installed on my bike. During the process I got cross-ways with the mechanic. Do not remember what I said or how it happened. Anyway the job was completed. I took the bike home. A few days later I decided to change the cams. I did the work myself. When I opened up the cam chest, I found that the bolt that holds the flywheel in place was loose. Not even hand tight. Was it a coincidence? I do not know. The moral of the story....do not **** off your mechanic!
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 93
From:
Update
Well, they came and picked it up, and I drove down. I hung out for a couple of hours, they said they are sure it is lifter noise as I had thought. They have the lifters in stock and told me they will fix it, clean it and bring it back to me tomorrow. We'll see.....I have cooled down a bit and had a chance to think and if the lifters fix it and there are no further issues, then it's all good, I guess. One of the things that this dealerships provides on every bike the sell is a lifetime power train warranty. The only requirement if to have all fluid changes done on time at a legitimate service facility, not Bob's backyard, and have it documented. I plan on that anyways, I can't do it myself anymore.....
Lon
Lon
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 440
From: SETx
Skip the svc writer, go straight to the svc mgr, if no luck there, go to the dealership GM or even the franchise owner. I would give them one shot to make it right. If they don't REPLACE THE ENGINE, just calmly say thanks and leave with all the documentation you can. Take pics, have dates, times, pics of dipstick, everything you can dream of documenting and call H-D Corporate customer service. They have one. And explain to them what happened. A dealer (especially these days) is going to fight to not have to pay for that. If you have all your ducks in a row, HD should make them replace it on their (dealership) dime.
Many moons ago ago I worked as a tech at a Ford dealer that had similar things happen from time to time. The service dept would usually dig their heels in and not make it right, until Ford Corporate either called about a complaint from the customer or sometimes they'd even show up if a rep was in the area and investigate complaints. If the customer had any sort of legit case, they'd fix it. I've seen them buy back a few diesel trucks over the years.
In these situations, documentation and calmer heads will prevail but, at the same time the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Dont let them feed you a line and shuffle you. You didn't do this to the machine, they did. They should make it right.
do not let them go inside that engine. They will band-aid it and send it down the road to cover their asses. I'm not sure how the oiling circuits are arranged in the M8's but the lifters probably weren't the only thing starved for oil. At the VERY MINIMUM, document all of this. Pics of it on their tow/trailer, everything. And make them give you in writing something that says any internal engine issues will be repaired by them, at no cost to you, for the life of that machine. I wouldn't accept anything less.
Many moons ago ago I worked as a tech at a Ford dealer that had similar things happen from time to time. The service dept would usually dig their heels in and not make it right, until Ford Corporate either called about a complaint from the customer or sometimes they'd even show up if a rep was in the area and investigate complaints. If the customer had any sort of legit case, they'd fix it. I've seen them buy back a few diesel trucks over the years.
In these situations, documentation and calmer heads will prevail but, at the same time the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Dont let them feed you a line and shuffle you. You didn't do this to the machine, they did. They should make it right.
Well, they came and picked it up, and I drove down. I hung out for a couple of hours, they said they are sure it is lifter noise as I had thought. They have the lifters in stock and told me they will fix it, clean it and bring it back to me tomorrow. We'll see.....I have cooled down a bit and had a chance to think and if the lifters fix it and there are no further issues, then it's all good, I guess. One of the things that this dealerships provides on every bike the sell is a lifetime power train warranty. The only requirement if to have all fluid changes done on time at a legitimate service facility, not Bob's backyard, and have it documented. I plan on that anyways, I can't do it myself anymore.....
Lon
Lon
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 12, 2018 at 04:10 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,518
From: Tulsa
do not let them go inside that engine. They will band-aid it and send it down the road to cover their asses. I'm not sure how the oiling circuits are arranged in the M8's but the lifters probably weren't the only thing starved for oil. At the VERY MINIMUM, document all of this. Pics of it on their tow/trailer, everything. And make them give you in writing something that says any internal engine issues will be repaired by them, at no cost to you, for the life of that machine. I wouldn't accept anything less.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
did anyone notice where he said the dealer offers a lifetime powertrain warranty on all bikes they sell with the stipulation that either they, or a legit servicer, perform all services on the machine? which the op is more than willing to do since he isn't going to do any of the services himself.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 440
From: SETx
did anyone notice where he said the dealer offers a lifetime powertrain warranty on all bikes they sell with the stipulation that either they, or a legit servicer, perform all services on the machine? which the op is more than willing to do since he isn't going to do any of the services himself.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 259
Likes: 43
From: NC by way of CT
I agree with the above statement... It will never be the same.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 580
From: Arkansas
My dealer, before it changed hands, replaced the engine in my 2014 Limited with about 12K miles on it after it developed a bad knock. They tore into it and found the oil pump had come apart causing score cylinders and pistons, and bad lifters. They replaced those items but it still knocked. They couldn't find the cause of the knock. I talked to them and asked them if they would ask HD to send a replacement engine. They called HD and had one shipped the next day. The same dealership now, different owners, can't replace a radio without screwing up.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 555
Likes: 93
From:
did anyone notice where he said the dealer offers a lifetime powertrain warranty on all bikes they sell with the stipulation that either they, or a legit servicer, perform all services on the machine? which the op is more than willing to do since he isn't going to do any of the services himself.
Lon
loud and clear, but I'd have something outlining this specific occurance and circumstances to go along with it at a minimum. Not to mention, would you wanna strike out on a 5-6000mi ride on that bike after they throw some lifters and fresh oil in it? Say he leaves the house, gets 2500mi down the road and it eats ****. Provided he's close to a dealer, are they going to honor that other dealers deal? Is he going to waste a day getting something approved? Who's footing the tow bill? All things I'd verify. I personally wouldn't take the bike back with that damaged engine in it. Repaired or not. We're talking about a $35,000 Trike with 1000mi on it, not a 5yr old machine with 20-30K.....
Lon
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; May 12, 2018 at 04:11 PM.