engine knock when cold, vibration at idle
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Engine Question: knocks when cold, vibration at idle
Got a question for you engine guru guys. After a recent trip in 110* heat and stuck in So Cal traffic for way too long the motor started making unusual vibrations at idle.
To try and make a long story short here is whats happening now.
When you first fire up the motor cold there is a knocking sound which is coming from the primary side, it goes away quickley as it warms up but if you raise the throttle to about 2k it sounds like the primary chain tensioner rattling than smoothes out. When it warms up it sounds fine.
Next up; when hot at idle the motor vibrates more than normal, noticebly in the bars and mirrors, today I could hear the exhaust pipe squeaking from movement and I noticed the bottom of the fairing vibrating.
It runs fine however as soon as youre off idle and going through the gears no matter if going 30 or 80 mph. I will say I can run the engine rpms lower than I use to in the gears and its smooth and picks up without lugging. (before was 3k-5200, now I can take it down to about 2200, at about 3800 it feels like its time to shift). Weird
I drained all the fluids and opened up the primary, everything looked fine, the SE comp was still tight to spec, chain adjuster looked w/i spec and no play in clutch hub or chain.
Note: Just prior to trip had a SE oil pump and cam plate installed because the pump was failing, its an 07 with .005 crank runout.
Thanks for reading this, appreciate any input from anyone with knowledge or suggestions.
To try and make a long story short here is whats happening now.
When you first fire up the motor cold there is a knocking sound which is coming from the primary side, it goes away quickley as it warms up but if you raise the throttle to about 2k it sounds like the primary chain tensioner rattling than smoothes out. When it warms up it sounds fine.
Next up; when hot at idle the motor vibrates more than normal, noticebly in the bars and mirrors, today I could hear the exhaust pipe squeaking from movement and I noticed the bottom of the fairing vibrating.
It runs fine however as soon as youre off idle and going through the gears no matter if going 30 or 80 mph. I will say I can run the engine rpms lower than I use to in the gears and its smooth and picks up without lugging. (before was 3k-5200, now I can take it down to about 2200, at about 3800 it feels like its time to shift). Weird
I drained all the fluids and opened up the primary, everything looked fine, the SE comp was still tight to spec, chain adjuster looked w/i spec and no play in clutch hub or chain.
Note: Just prior to trip had a SE oil pump and cam plate installed because the pump was failing, its an 07 with .005 crank runout.
Thanks for reading this, appreciate any input from anyone with knowledge or suggestions.
Last edited by bagman1; Aug 29, 2012 at 07:19 PM.
as for the vibration...check the front motor mount. bolts can back out. Had one of mine sheer off- everything was loose and shaking bad....best to take the VR off so you can see everything....
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Hinton, Alberta
I had engine knock ( piston slap ) when cold and vibration when riding. It continued to get worse. Ends up it was not piston slap, it was a failed connecting rod bearing. I hope this is not your issue, but it may be something to consider and rule out.
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Well so far I have checked all the mounts and drained all the fluids and pulled the primary because thats where the clattering seemed to be coming from. I checked everywhere with a stethoscope and the noise only appears to be coming from the primary. It will clatter if you rev it in N until about 2k and smoothes out, riding it it runs smooth, but the mirrors and exhaust system vibrate at idle.
The internals in the primary case looked perfect nothing seemed loose, no excess backlash, comp bolt was still tight.
My next step I am going to actually disassemble the comp, clutch hub, and chain adjuster and look a lot closer.
The internals in the primary case looked perfect nothing seemed loose, no excess backlash, comp bolt was still tight.
My next step I am going to actually disassemble the comp, clutch hub, and chain adjuster and look a lot closer.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Update: I disassembled the primary side and clutch cable housing, and replaced the cable as it was original and was dripping fluid out of the casing. The primary fluid was about 1/2-3/4 qt low, (Horse on me for not rechecking the levels after I paid $1400 to have the oil pump/cam plate and all fluids changed, youd think they could get that right) the adjuster/compensator was perfect condition, no looseness, wear etc. The clutch hub bearing had very little play and all the discs/plates were not warped or burnt (what a surprise).
I did notice all the fluids were black, even the tranny which I have never seen happen before. So at this point I am thinking what the hell did the shop really put in there???
So I put in a new chain, cable, new fluids and did a road test and a 300 mile trip in 95* temps, noise and vibration are gone, but it feels weird when using the clutch, so I have decided to be **** and go in and replace the clutch hub and IPB, this way I can have my inner primary powdercoated SE wrinkle black.
I did notice all the fluids were black, even the tranny which I have never seen happen before. So at this point I am thinking what the hell did the shop really put in there???
So I put in a new chain, cable, new fluids and did a road test and a 300 mile trip in 95* temps, noise and vibration are gone, but it feels weird when using the clutch, so I have decided to be **** and go in and replace the clutch hub and IPB, this way I can have my inner primary powdercoated SE wrinkle black.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post