The dreaded 103 noisy engine
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
It's a low compression, push rod, over head valve engine with loose tolerances. It's going to make noise. Mine doesn't ping, haven't ever used seafoam or octane boosters, and mostly regular gas. My 20K service will be next week, maybe this weekend, and I'll peer into the spark plug hole to see what it looks like. But at the 5, 10, and 15K service, plugs were not sooty or carboned up. Mine is not a bar hopper and gets regular highway miles. I don't lug it and don't do racing starts either. Brisk acceleration.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers Florida
I am feeling your frustration! Same deal here on my '12 Limited. Pings like crazy on 91+ octane from several different brands, including HD friendly Shell.
Took it in for my 5k service 2 weeks ago and was told that Harley's do that and then they asked if my pipes were stock- everything is still stock.
Between 2700 and 2900 it pings when accelerating. They also reminded me it is still under warranty. I had my voltage regulator replaced under recall and they also tightened my primary chain. Left the dealership and still experienced the ping. I am running liberal amounts of Lucas fuel injector cleaner and that helps a little. Maybe I will try the Seafoam.
I never had this issue on my '08 RK 96 engine. I will be heading back to the dealer and inquiring on the carbon buildup issue you have shared.
Adding also that usually cruise at between 2500 and 2700rpms. Is this too low an rpm for the 103?
Took it in for my 5k service 2 weeks ago and was told that Harley's do that and then they asked if my pipes were stock- everything is still stock.
Between 2700 and 2900 it pings when accelerating. They also reminded me it is still under warranty. I had my voltage regulator replaced under recall and they also tightened my primary chain. Left the dealership and still experienced the ping. I am running liberal amounts of Lucas fuel injector cleaner and that helps a little. Maybe I will try the Seafoam.
I never had this issue on my '08 RK 96 engine. I will be heading back to the dealer and inquiring on the carbon buildup issue you have shared.
Adding also that usually cruise at between 2500 and 2700rpms. Is this too low an rpm for the 103?
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 910
Likes: 115
From: Elk Mound, WI
My 2012 Ultra started pinging about 1500 miles ago. I worked with one of the local dealers who called HD and was told there is an update coming out for the ECM in the 103's to fix the pinging issue. They offered to take my ECM out and send it to HD to have the new map put on but I didn't want to give up what little bit of riding season I have left in sunny WI. They aren't sure when the update will be available at the dealer but they assure me there's one coming. Once it's out I'll put it on and hopefully the pinging will stop.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers Florida
My 2012 Ultra started pinging about 1500 miles ago. I worked with one of the local dealers who called HD and was told there is an update coming out for the ECM in the 103's to fix the pinging issue. They offered to take my ECM out and send it to HD to have the new map put on but I didn't want to give up what little bit of riding season I have left in sunny WI. They aren't sure when the update will be available at the dealer but they assure me there's one coming. Once it's out I'll put it on and hopefully the pinging will stop.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
Stage 1 SE A/F Rush True Duels Rush 4" Big Louie Mufflers..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
Ping
Yup, still pings after dealer did the date log thing. Had bike for 2 hrs, and said it was good to go. I get on it and do some roll on throttle hits in 4th,5th and if still pings.
Going to a TW222 cam and PowerVision tuner.
Going to a TW222 cam and PowerVision tuner.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 791
Likes: 2
From: Canada
Long haul on good octane gas a couple weeks ago on Autobahn, with some warm temps and had some engine Pinging, detonation knock, at higher revs. Have first service overdue, but will be asking the question.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 2
My 2012 Ultra started pinging about 1500 miles ago. I worked with one of the local dealers who called HD and was told there is an update coming out for the ECM in the 103's to fix the pinging issue. They offered to take my ECM out and send it to HD to have the new map put on but I didn't want to give up what little bit of riding season I have left in sunny WI. They aren't sure when the update will be available at the dealer but they assure me there's one coming. Once it's out I'll put it on and hopefully the pinging will stop.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
Side note... The same dealer told me I should be running 91 octane with up to 10% ethanol. They said it burns cleaner and doesn't create as much carbon. They say these new motors are built to run that fuel because it's becoming more prevelant in many areas.
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Joe Kucinski
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
Get a race tuner or power commander, or zippers, whatever your choice/pain level, tune it and forget it. That is unless you want to be at your dealer every time you ride it complaining.
Yes, I know they shouldn't ping and get hot but they do and the tuners are how you fix it. You will likely do pipes or more later anyway and you'll already have the tuner.
Yes, I know they shouldn't ping and get hot but they do and the tuners are how you fix it. You will likely do pipes or more later anyway and you'll already have the tuner.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
CLATTER - Yep. With overhead valves that are pushrod driven in a long-stroke air-cooled (no water jacket to muffle clatter) engine, there's going to be some clatter. Probably a bit variable depending upon specific details but generally, they just plain DO clatter.
PINGING - Yep. Everyone is stuck with a configuration that meets Californistan emmission standards until you fix that using your own $. Then MOCO might have an excuse to void warranty too. Neat huh?
PINGING - Yep. Everyone is stuck with a configuration that meets Californistan emmission standards until you fix that using your own $. Then MOCO might have an excuse to void warranty too. Neat huh?