Severe Engine Rattle Noise
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Severe Engine Rattle Noise
I have a 09 streetglide with 30K miles on it.
1 yr and 10K miles ago I had a SE compensator installed by the dealer.
Over the last few weeks and the engine has developed a very annoying rattle that starts @ 3000 RPM, Is loudest between 3200 & 3700 and fades away to some extent, but not completely above that. It sounds like the engine is about to come apart in pieces. I cant stand driving above it 3000 rpm.
Having read quite a bit recently about SE compensator issues, my first reaction is to assume that is what is making the noise. However, the more I think about it and change my riding pattern to try and determine what may be causing it, Im not so sure any more. Everyones description of their compensator noise seems different so it is hard to reach a conclusion before taking it apart.
My understanding is that the compensator is really a torsional (rotational?) shock absorber designed to dampen torsional vibration between the engine and the transmission. With the twin cam motor design being asymmetrical, vibration is inherent, and the compensator is meant to reduce the transfer of this vibration or power pulses throughout the drivetrain. (Am I correct here?) It appears to do so by using a heavy spring pack and drive cog (for lack of a better term) that drives the front chain sprocket.
Pictures posted by others show that the spokes on the chain sprocket are showing wear marks over time. I would expect that any play introduced by excessive wear on the sprocket spokes would only create a rattling noise during periods of high torsional vibration when the compensator spring is being over-ranged.
My engine runs as smooth a silk up to 3000 RPM. It does not appear to become much worse above that, to the point where I would expect the compensator to be put through its full range of motion so to speak and rattle the hell out of the chain sprocket. This rattling noise is consistent regardless of what gear I am in, what speed I am doing, or how much load is on the engine. When I quickly snap the throttle open and closed many times in succession, I cannot induce or reduce the rattle. It is under these conditions I expect the compensator to be called into play. However, it is strictly an RPM induced noise.
This is what has me wondering if it really is the compensator. Could it be a lifter that has a bad check ball and leaks down under higher RPM thus causing clearance in the valve train and the rocker arms to clatter?
Any thoughts?
1 yr and 10K miles ago I had a SE compensator installed by the dealer.
Over the last few weeks and the engine has developed a very annoying rattle that starts @ 3000 RPM, Is loudest between 3200 & 3700 and fades away to some extent, but not completely above that. It sounds like the engine is about to come apart in pieces. I cant stand driving above it 3000 rpm.
Having read quite a bit recently about SE compensator issues, my first reaction is to assume that is what is making the noise. However, the more I think about it and change my riding pattern to try and determine what may be causing it, Im not so sure any more. Everyones description of their compensator noise seems different so it is hard to reach a conclusion before taking it apart.
My understanding is that the compensator is really a torsional (rotational?) shock absorber designed to dampen torsional vibration between the engine and the transmission. With the twin cam motor design being asymmetrical, vibration is inherent, and the compensator is meant to reduce the transfer of this vibration or power pulses throughout the drivetrain. (Am I correct here?) It appears to do so by using a heavy spring pack and drive cog (for lack of a better term) that drives the front chain sprocket.
Pictures posted by others show that the spokes on the chain sprocket are showing wear marks over time. I would expect that any play introduced by excessive wear on the sprocket spokes would only create a rattling noise during periods of high torsional vibration when the compensator spring is being over-ranged.
My engine runs as smooth a silk up to 3000 RPM. It does not appear to become much worse above that, to the point where I would expect the compensator to be put through its full range of motion so to speak and rattle the hell out of the chain sprocket. This rattling noise is consistent regardless of what gear I am in, what speed I am doing, or how much load is on the engine. When I quickly snap the throttle open and closed many times in succession, I cannot induce or reduce the rattle. It is under these conditions I expect the compensator to be called into play. However, it is strictly an RPM induced noise.
This is what has me wondering if it really is the compensator. Could it be a lifter that has a bad check ball and leaks down under higher RPM thus causing clearance in the valve train and the rocker arms to clatter?
Any thoughts?
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