Starting Issues
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Had that happen at 15,000 and 42,000 on my 07. Both times it was the over-run clutch in the starter. The second time I replaced the over-run with a aftermarket one 64,000 and going strong!
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Okinawa Japan
good to know, I dont know what all they have checked but they are still working on it (I hope anyways), maybe they are waiting on parts to come in or something. I am going to go by there tomorrow, I dont really wanna nag them so I am trying to be patient.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Okinawa Japan
Alright everyone, I am not a mechanic but I will try my best to explain what I was shown to me at the Harley shop. The problem is because of a faulty O-ring! When the starter is taken of the bike and pulled apart, the clutch and gear are sticking out of the starter body. In the starter body (if you wanna call it that) there is an O-ring that stops oil from getting into the starter. The O-ring is faulty from what they told me. They said that when the primary oil heats up it becomes thinner and is leaking past the O-ring and into the starter therfore binding the starter up causing the grinding and crap. By looking at the starter gear, clutch and everything else it is NOT causing any damage, other than pissing me off. Their was no chips in the teeth, not any marks at all that could be seen on them. Since my bike is under warranty they ordered me a new starter so I hope it fixes the problem and they are not just guessing about it. He did say that when he pulled the starter apart it had way to much oil in it and he is positive that it is the O-ring but we will see. When I get the bike back I will let all know fit still does it, wont be for atleast a week till I get it back though.
After talking to them about it, thinking back to the day I first rode it I do kinda remember that it never started back right when the motor was hot. When it was cold it always started like it had some serious *****, if it was warm it would just kinda roll over and start very smoothly but I always thought it was because its fuel injected, warm engine so it wasnt getting any choke, maybe not though. Maybe it has leaked since it was new and I never knew it, maybe when they did my 5000 mile tune up I had them use synthetic on everything and since its thicker it made the issue more obvious. I dunno but I will let everyone know the out come.
After talking to them about it, thinking back to the day I first rode it I do kinda remember that it never started back right when the motor was hot. When it was cold it always started like it had some serious *****, if it was warm it would just kinda roll over and start very smoothly but I always thought it was because its fuel injected, warm engine so it wasnt getting any choke, maybe not though. Maybe it has leaked since it was new and I never knew it, maybe when they did my 5000 mile tune up I had them use synthetic on everything and since its thicker it made the issue more obvious. I dunno but I will let everyone know the out come.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From: Parker, CO
Where are you guys at on "the Rock"? I spent a year and a half on Kadena back in 68/69time frame.
I had a delayed start problem on my '07 FXSTC and it was the spark plugs. It would grind when it was hot and not start. New plugs fixed it and it only had about 5k on it at the time.
I had a delayed start problem on my '07 FXSTC and it was the spark plugs. It would grind when it was hot and not start. New plugs fixed it and it only had about 5k on it at the time.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Okinawa Japan
I have already replaced the plugs and plug wires hoping it would help but it didnt. Syn is not the problem, I was saying that when I changed the fluids I used syn and maybe that had something to do with the problem being noticed. If it is a faulty O-ring than no type of oil out there would of helped or caused it but it might of made it more noticable. I hope that a new starter does fix the problem, the weather is beautiful and I have been off work for a week and a half with NO riding time.
Our shop is on Camp Kinser and I live about 2 miles from Kadena, If I could have my way I would never leave this tiny island.
Our shop is on Camp Kinser and I live about 2 miles from Kadena, If I could have my way I would never leave this tiny island.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Okinawa Japan
if they pull the starter off, pull it apart and their is an O-ring that sits inside the casing. Its probably about as big as a baseball because its as big around as the case itself, yea its hard to explain but its the O-ring that seperates the starter from the starter clutch and starter gear inside the casing. I wish I had pictures but even if I did I dont think anyone would recognize what Im talking about unless the starter was pulled apart and sitting in front of them. Harley did say that they recomend replacing the entire starter, not th O-ring.