10 Limited 103 upper engine rattle noise
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
103 noise
I had a 2012 FLHTK that was making a lot of motor noise.. Fought with dealer and Harley for three months and they replaced the bike.. Now have another 2012 FLHTK and it is noisy when cold.. Sounds like valves rattling but this one , the noise goes away when it gets hot !!! Any thoughts whether this is just a typical problem with the 2012 103 ? Has 600 miles on the new one ..
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Dude... the stones hitting the fender noise IS pinging. You described ping perfectly.
You really need to bite the bullet and get a REAL tuner like PCV, TTS, or SESPT.... learn how to use it, or get a dyno tune, and FIX this issue.
Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.............
You really need to bite the bullet and get a REAL tuner like PCV, TTS, or SESPT.... learn how to use it, or get a dyno tune, and FIX this issue.
Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.............
Recently I am now hearing a 'metallicy' sound that gives me the heebyjeebies. This occurs in 4th gear at around 2500 rpms. I am about due for my 5,000 service and called the dealer about my issues. Taking it in next week. The HD service shared that there have been some issues with loose pistons. Not saying this is what it is, but this noise it NOT normal and I am not ignoring it or turning up my music to mask it. A stock bike should not have pinging issues and I definitely should not have to shell out extra cash for a new turner to fix what sounds like a factory/design issue.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
While valve train noise maybe annoying to some, it is normal and is more than likely not hurting a thing in all but the most extreme cases.
On the other hand, if you have pinging this is a much more serious condition and engine damage can occur if not corrected.
There are many more variables, in addition to RPM, necessary to constitute lugging, i.e., gear selected, throttle position, road conditions, uphill, downhill, headwind, tailwind, etc., etc., etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 12
From: Broomfield, Colorado
If a person replaced the push rods with adjustable (S&S or SE) push rods would that help any? The valve train noise from my 2012 Ultra is really bad...it is going into the shop next week, but from what I'm reading here I'm going to get the "it's normal they all do that" story.
Cheers,
Paul in Colorado
Cheers,
Paul in Colorado
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
103 more noise?
Had a noise develop in my 2011 ultra limited. took it to the dealer and they replaced the bearing on in the transmission. i had 4500 miles on it. my buddies started at 1000 miles. both of us got our bikes back and the transmisiion noise is gone but the front cylinder is noisy. I have listened to both of our bikes and they sound pretty much the same. The dealership is saying it is normal that the 103 is noisy. I hope that if there is a problem that it shows itself before the warrranty expires. the trans. bearing i was told they had got some bad bearings at the factory. the dealer i use has only had the problems on the limiteds for some reason.
I had a flstf 96" in 2007 sewing machine, not to bad.
The Redshift 575 cams took noise up a notch
Stage III
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: north Florida
engine noise
I keep reading all these threads and posts regarding the engine noise and getting more depressed about it all the time.
I've owned several Harleys and never had one that developed the noise this 2010 FLHTCU 103" has.
For the first 3K I was extremly pleased with the bike. Then around 3K it developed a "chattering" noise at 1800 up, most noticeable at cruising RPM 2200-2800.
Been back to the dealer 3X for this issue. Was told all the same bunch of BS as most of y'all. Get louder exhaust, turn up the radio, It's NORMAL.
Well.... By Golly, it wasn't there for the first 3K and now it is. NOT NORMAL! If it had made that racket during the test ride, I would have NOT purchased the thing.
The stealer put me on another FLH/103 with 20K on it and guess what? Same noise, only louder!
So, does this make it a normal condition? Maybe.... yet, unacceptable.
The MOCO has to be aware of the issue, and untill it becomes a "safety" concern, they'll choose to do nothing about it.
I can do something about it. I can get rid of this thing as fast as I bought it. Better yet, file a "Lemon law" case against MOCO!
Untill enough of us (customers) get enough of it, they'll continue to "crank out" defective engines out of York or Milwaukee or Mexico or China or wherever these things are coming from. We are paying too much for these machines to have to deal with NVH issues that are unacceptable.
SPEAK UP, Be Heard. Contact Customer service, MOCO, dealers, etc.
BTW, As an experienced technitian, I doubt the noise concern is valve train, spark knock/detonation, lifters, primary drive or cam chain related. I believe it is a little deeper such as piston (wrist) pins, piston skirt (collapse) or cooling nozzle restriction and/or the deletion of such nozzle.
I'm not a HD tech and know nothing of the way this engine is designed. However, I do know (racing) engines in general and what is normal and what is NOT.
I was pleased with my purchase and now I'm disgusted with it. Back to riding the XL1200 or the VRSCSE2.
I've owned several Harleys and never had one that developed the noise this 2010 FLHTCU 103" has.
For the first 3K I was extremly pleased with the bike. Then around 3K it developed a "chattering" noise at 1800 up, most noticeable at cruising RPM 2200-2800.
Been back to the dealer 3X for this issue. Was told all the same bunch of BS as most of y'all. Get louder exhaust, turn up the radio, It's NORMAL.
Well.... By Golly, it wasn't there for the first 3K and now it is. NOT NORMAL! If it had made that racket during the test ride, I would have NOT purchased the thing.
The stealer put me on another FLH/103 with 20K on it and guess what? Same noise, only louder!
So, does this make it a normal condition? Maybe.... yet, unacceptable.
The MOCO has to be aware of the issue, and untill it becomes a "safety" concern, they'll choose to do nothing about it.
I can do something about it. I can get rid of this thing as fast as I bought it. Better yet, file a "Lemon law" case against MOCO!
Untill enough of us (customers) get enough of it, they'll continue to "crank out" defective engines out of York or Milwaukee or Mexico or China or wherever these things are coming from. We are paying too much for these machines to have to deal with NVH issues that are unacceptable.
SPEAK UP, Be Heard. Contact Customer service, MOCO, dealers, etc.
BTW, As an experienced technitian, I doubt the noise concern is valve train, spark knock/detonation, lifters, primary drive or cam chain related. I believe it is a little deeper such as piston (wrist) pins, piston skirt (collapse) or cooling nozzle restriction and/or the deletion of such nozzle.
I'm not a HD tech and know nothing of the way this engine is designed. However, I do know (racing) engines in general and what is normal and what is NOT.
I was pleased with my purchase and now I'm disgusted with it. Back to riding the XL1200 or the VRSCSE2.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Porter TX
Man I am with you...bought back in April spent all summer in and out with topend issues..now they say noise may be piston related..sounds like valves just tapping top of piston..hope to hear from dealer soon..btw this is second engine in bike 2012 RK this motor 927 miles last one did not make till 500
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
Ping
Dude... the stones hitting the fender noise IS pinging. You described ping perfectly.
You really need to bite the bullet and get a REAL tuner like PCV, TTS, or SESPT.... learn how to use it, or get a dyno tune, and FIX this issue.
Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.............
You really need to bite the bullet and get a REAL tuner like PCV, TTS, or SESPT.... learn how to use it, or get a dyno tune, and FIX this issue.
Valvetrain noise sounds like a sewing machine, or a LOUD sewing machine, or a sewing machine that goes tick, tick, tick.............
Hope my (soon to be acquired ) PV will fix the ping, I hope the 222 cam is not prone to produce ping.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
I keep reading all these threads and posts regarding the engine noise and getting more depressed about it all the time.
I've owned several Harleys and never had one that developed the noise this 2010 FLHTCU 103" has.
For the first 3K I was extremly pleased with the bike. Then around 3K it developed a "chattering" noise at 1800 up, most noticeable at cruising RPM 2200-2800.
Been back to the dealer 3X for this issue. Was told all the same bunch of BS as most of y'all. Get louder exhaust, turn up the radio, It's NORMAL.
Well.... By Golly, it wasn't there for the first 3K and now it is. NOT NORMAL! If it had made that racket during the test ride, I would have NOT purchased the thing.
The stealer put me on another FLH/103 with 20K on it and guess what? Same noise, only louder!
So, does this make it a normal condition? Maybe.... yet, unacceptable.
The MOCO has to be aware of the issue, and untill it becomes a "safety" concern, they'll choose to do nothing about it.
I can do something about it. I can get rid of this thing as fast as I bought it. Better yet, file a "Lemon law" case against MOCO!
Untill enough of us (customers) get enough of it, they'll continue to "crank out" defective engines out of York or Milwaukee or Mexico or China or wherever these things are coming from. We are paying too much for these machines to have to deal with NVH issues that are unacceptable.
SPEAK UP, Be Heard. Contact Customer service, MOCO, dealers, etc.
BTW, As an experienced technitian, I doubt the noise concern is valve train, spark knock/detonation, lifters, primary drive or cam chain related. I believe it is a little deeper such as piston (wrist) pins, piston skirt (collapse) or cooling nozzle restriction and/or the deletion of such nozzle.
I'm not a HD tech and know nothing of the way this engine is designed. However, I do know (racing) engines in general and what is normal and what is NOT.
I was pleased with my purchase and now I'm disgusted with it. Back to riding the XL1200 or the VRSCSE2.
I've owned several Harleys and never had one that developed the noise this 2010 FLHTCU 103" has.
For the first 3K I was extremly pleased with the bike. Then around 3K it developed a "chattering" noise at 1800 up, most noticeable at cruising RPM 2200-2800.
Been back to the dealer 3X for this issue. Was told all the same bunch of BS as most of y'all. Get louder exhaust, turn up the radio, It's NORMAL.
Well.... By Golly, it wasn't there for the first 3K and now it is. NOT NORMAL! If it had made that racket during the test ride, I would have NOT purchased the thing.
The stealer put me on another FLH/103 with 20K on it and guess what? Same noise, only louder!
So, does this make it a normal condition? Maybe.... yet, unacceptable.
The MOCO has to be aware of the issue, and untill it becomes a "safety" concern, they'll choose to do nothing about it.
I can do something about it. I can get rid of this thing as fast as I bought it. Better yet, file a "Lemon law" case against MOCO!
Untill enough of us (customers) get enough of it, they'll continue to "crank out" defective engines out of York or Milwaukee or Mexico or China or wherever these things are coming from. We are paying too much for these machines to have to deal with NVH issues that are unacceptable.
SPEAK UP, Be Heard. Contact Customer service, MOCO, dealers, etc.
BTW, As an experienced technitian, I doubt the noise concern is valve train, spark knock/detonation, lifters, primary drive or cam chain related. I believe it is a little deeper such as piston (wrist) pins, piston skirt (collapse) or cooling nozzle restriction and/or the deletion of such nozzle.
I'm not a HD tech and know nothing of the way this engine is designed. However, I do know (racing) engines in general and what is normal and what is NOT.
I was pleased with my purchase and now I'm disgusted with it. Back to riding the XL1200 or the VRSCSE2.
With respect - I don't think you have any idea what you're talking about. I'm on my third Harley all bought new and every one of them has gone through a process of breaking in. The engine does get louder after a few thousand miles. They do that.
What makes it a safety concern? What evidence do you have that the engines are defective?