report on lifter problem
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 135
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From: Dover, AR
report on lifter problem
my original thread was( problems with Mobile 1 syn. oil.) I took my 08 road king back to the dealer and they replaced all the lifters. i questioned them about the use of Moblile 1 20-50 syn. oil. and they didn't think it had anything to do with the lifters wearing out. so whats up with lifters only lasting 25,000 to 33,000 mi. mine started making noise at 25,000. replaced @ 33,800 mi. started using mbl 1 syn @ 18,500mi. now i'm back to dino oil, afraid to go back to the syn oil.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
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From: eastern oklahoma
use whatever oil you feel comfortable with. the synthetics have proven to be better for longevity and wear properties. did they determine if it was a lifter issue? or an oil issue? dinosaur oil works well, but synthetic is a superior product. your choice though.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 27
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I thought H-D lifters were supposed to make noise. 
I switched to M-1 full synth at 18K miles in my '03 RK and there was no noticeable change in lifter noise from dino oil. The only time there isn't much lifter noise is the first 3 miles after an oil change.
It sounds like a Singer sewing machine on steroids, but I don't mind.
I switched to M-1 full synth at 18K miles in my '03 RK and there was no noticeable change in lifter noise from dino oil. The only time there isn't much lifter noise is the first 3 miles after an oil change.
It sounds like a Singer sewing machine on steroids, but I don't mind.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
This goes back to what I said the other day in another post about newer not always being better. They've probably figured out a way to save a couple of cents by changing the lifters. I heard two employees from a local car engine plant talking about how their company was saving six cents on piston rings but they were not pre-sized like the old ones but were installed as if they were. They were saying they felt sorry for the people who bought the cars with those engines...
I am getting ready to take my '08 Ultra in and get the lifters changed. It has 21,000 miles. My valve train has been loud for the last 12,000 miles or so. I have been told that the excess noise was normal. My ironhead sportster was not much louder than mine is now. The dealer is going to inspect everything else while they are in there, and I'm going to have the cams changed while it's that far apart.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
One dealer service writer tried pulling that crap on me.Said it was "normal" and sent me on my way...............................
went to another dealership and the service writer and tech said just the oppisite.They did the warranty work.
went to another dealership and the service writer and tech said just the oppisite.They did the warranty work.
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Aug 29, 2010 at 07:11 AM.
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There are a lot of noisy bikes in my group with about 20 to 25 k miles! So the variables are always how noisy is noisy and the lifters are a little weak and a little sloppy at start up because they are hydraulic.
So based on a good maintenance interval for the lifter and then any associated parts in the scope of replacing the lifters, what mileage would be a good interval?
So based on a good maintenance interval for the lifter and then any associated parts in the scope of replacing the lifters, what mileage would be a good interval?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
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For some reason or another, when you pay 20k for a bike, harleys quality control is pathetic and anemic to say the least, Harley has had a problem with lifters since the evo days, and still continue to this day, I wouldnt dare use another hd lifter, i would look elsewhere, vthunder,jims, so the answer to your question is no, your oil probably had nothing to with it, you should be asking the dealer why you paid 20k or more for a bike, that needs the engine serviced at 25k miles, and i dont understand why people are openly "ok" with this, Think about it, if your chevy truck needed the lifters replaced every25k miles, youd be calling the bbb and anyone else who would lend a ear, its bullshit, and if had a new bike that ran hot, rattled lifters, shifted cranks, Id ride that bike right up harleys ***...sorry...end of rant....
