checking lifters when running
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
checking lifters when running
Chasing down an intermittent clatter. If I raise the pushrod tubes, will much oil spit out if I run the motor for a few seconds, long enough to check for a loose/collapsed lifter?
Thanks
Thanks
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
How many miles? What rpm does the clatter occur? When does it occur - acceleration, cruising, slowing down. After the bike sits for several days, a week or more, do the lifters make any noise for a second or two at initial startup? Is noise from front or rear cylinder?
Given your question, you may want to have some one look at it for you.
Given your question, you may want to have some one look at it for you.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
When an engine is running it is essentially smothering everything inside it with oil. Opening up any cover is likely to get you covered in oil - it may not be much in quantity, but oil goes a long way when makiing a mess! I wouldn't disturb a pushrod tube as I am not sure what good that will do.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
Bike has 13k. Noise just started 2-3 weeks ago. Right at 1st start up of day. Does it at idle and when riding. It goes away after abut 5 min of running, and then never again rest of day. Then back again next day. I original thought it was coming from primary case, chain tensioner not yet advanced to next step as it sounds tingy, just like when the exhaust is cooling off and the shields are popping. My thinking was chain was hitting inside of primary case. But since it quits, I tossed that idea. Next thought was lifter bleeding down and taking that long to pump up. I just thought if I could raise up the lower push rod tube 1 at a time, I could feel the suspect lifter if there was one. Bike would just be ran a few seconds when cold as that's when it makes this noise. It's not normal ticking. It has not done it last couple days though. Oil has been changed on schedule. I bought the Rockouts for the see G machine noise and thinking doing lifters, adj push rods when I do those, but wanted to make sure a lifter is bleeding down over night. I understand bike is under warranty, but if lifter is bad, rather go with S&S and shoot for making motor even quieter. I've done tons of rebuilds of autos and boat motors over the yrs, including blower motors, just never had a HD apart before, thus the question.
Thanks
Thanks
Last edited by CVO SG; Aug 24, 2016 at 01:59 PM. Reason: Spelling
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: US
Added.... Have trouble isolating where the noise is really coming from do to all the ticks. Tried watching tons of YT videos looking for clues on different tones. A lifter sounds more likely to me for a tick that comes and goes given the characteristics of clicking and also that the stock lifters don't get good reviews here. Not worth a warrenty claim to me if I can make it better if this turns out to be the problem
Last edited by CVO SG; Aug 24, 2016 at 02:13 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
It does sound like a lifter bleeding down if I am understanding you correctly. I read that some have taken their bike in for warranty work and paid the extra money for the other brand of lifters. ie S&S Labor free as covered under warranty. Worth looking into
Lifters can get debris inside which will cause them to bleed down. Sometimes, usually not though, they will "fix" themselves.
Either ride it more and see if the noise went away. Or, take it to the dealer.
Lifters can get debris inside which will cause them to bleed down. Sometimes, usually not though, they will "fix" themselves.
Either ride it more and see if the noise went away. Or, take it to the dealer.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 600
Likes: 231
From: Dewey, Arizona 86327
Harbor Freight has a mechanic's stethoscope for cheap that works really well. there's a metal stick that contacts a diaphragm and that goes into a pair of earpieces. You hold the stick on different parts of the engine to hear where the noise is loudest and most distinct. Goes a long ways to figuring out weird taps and knocks.
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