Engine noise
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Barbados
Engine noise
I have a 2012 Softail slim and need to identify an engine noise; see video. I have not been able to figure out where it is coming from. No dealer here, so any advice is greatly appreciated.
I’ve checked and removed the primary case and tensioner, the pipes, air filter and intake manifold. The noise accelerates when revving the throttle and when riding. Has anyone had the same issue?
https://youtu.be/qtnc8WeMOU0
I’ve checked and removed the primary case and tensioner, the pipes, air filter and intake manifold. The noise accelerates when revving the throttle and when riding. Has anyone had the same issue?
https://youtu.be/qtnc8WeMOU0
Last edited by DutchBarbados; Dec 22, 2022 at 08:06 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,211
Likes: 11,337
From: San Diego, CA
It could be several things......
Did you just buy the bike or have you owned it awhile...?
If you owned it awhile, did it just start making that noise, or has been like that for awhile?
Any recent service, repairs, mods...?
In just that brief video, it sounds like valve train to me... so here are a couple guesses...
It could be the rocker arm shaft end-play chatter, where the rocker shafts tap the rocker base bolts. A product like Rockout Rocker Shaft Inserts could fix...
https://www.rockout.biz
Of it could be you have a lifter going bad. The 2012 bikes had the substandard OEM "C" lifters (#18538-99C).... The prior versions were much better and just about any aftermarket lifter is better, my I use Johnson Hylift 2313SE lifters from WFO Larry (Larry's Motorcycle & Machine - http://www.larrysmotorcyclemachine.com/lifters.html), or S&S...
Again, just two wild-*** guesses from that short video clip.. hard to diagnose a noise from the sidelines, without hands on...
Good luck with your diagnosis...
Did you just buy the bike or have you owned it awhile...?
If you owned it awhile, did it just start making that noise, or has been like that for awhile?
Any recent service, repairs, mods...?
In just that brief video, it sounds like valve train to me... so here are a couple guesses...
It could be the rocker arm shaft end-play chatter, where the rocker shafts tap the rocker base bolts. A product like Rockout Rocker Shaft Inserts could fix...
https://www.rockout.biz
Of it could be you have a lifter going bad. The 2012 bikes had the substandard OEM "C" lifters (#18538-99C).... The prior versions were much better and just about any aftermarket lifter is better, my I use Johnson Hylift 2313SE lifters from WFO Larry (Larry's Motorcycle & Machine - http://www.larrysmotorcyclemachine.com/lifters.html), or S&S...
Again, just two wild-*** guesses from that short video clip.. hard to diagnose a noise from the sidelines, without hands on...
Good luck with your diagnosis...
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Barbados
Thank you hattitude, It makes a lot of sense and I was running out of options. I will focus on the rocker shaft and lifter. First time I’m hearing about rocker lockers too. Have to order the parts and gets some gaskets, will keep you updated. Thanks!!! Dutch
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,211
Likes: 11,337
From: San Diego, CA
It was just a guess based on that video.... offered as something for you to investigate...
But you are there. You can see, touch, feel, and hear it better than we can via a video clip...
If you decide to dive into the engine and check those parts, I'll trust your judgement... I know I've opened a cam chest and rocker boxes for less....
If you want to investigate the rocker end play and lifters, you can open the rockers to inspect the rocker shafts. While that's open, remove the push rods, remove the pushrod covers, remove lifter covers, and and pull the lifters... all without needing to open the cam chest..
There was a thread on here about Rockout Rocker Shaft Inserts and it showed a pic of the witness marks left on the rocker shafts, where the rocker arm base bolts pass through them. When the shafts are twisting and tapping on the rocker base bolts, they leave an oval witness mark.... I will try to find that pic to post it up for you... If you see these marks on your rocker shafts, they were definitely making noise...
Good luck and keep us posted......
EDIT: I couldn't find the thread I was referencing, but I found a pic that shows the witness marks made by the shafts tapping on the rocker arm base bolts..
Last edited by hattitude; Dec 22, 2022 at 09:36 PM.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: Barbados
Update; after pulling out everything possible I finally found the issue. There’s a black paint in the valve springs area of the front cylinder that is deteriorating causing hydraulic lifter issues. Will need to clean and flush the system and purchase new lifters. Happy to have found the issue now before meshing up the engine. More updates to follow…
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