The dreaded 103 noisy engine
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
Is yours a 103 or 96? The complaints I'm hearing hear all pertain to the 103. My 2010 is a 96" and runs great. Only mods are a Cobra Power Port head pipe, Fuel Moto modified Screaming Eagle air intake and a Fuel Moto PCV with their pre loaded map. Whats the compression ratio on the 96 as compared to the 103? I'm at work and don't have ready access to my manuals.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Took my 2012 Streetglide to the dealer today to have them look at the bike and see if they could figure out why my bike is so noisy and pinging. The bike currently has a little over 13,000 miles and this started in the 5000 mile range as it has with others..the dealer talked with Harley direct and Harley said they are aware of the problem with the 103 engine. Their suggestion was to clean the carbon off the pistons and see what happens. I drove the bike home and it was much quieter than before. So lets see how long this last. Not really sure how to keep the carbon from building up in the first place. Dealer said it is just the nature of the beast. Might try some seafoam in the gas a few times to see if that helps. So for anyone out their that is struggling with this issue take it in to the dealer and have them talk with Harley. As long as it is under warranty should be no problem. Sorry for the long post but thought I would throw out to you guys my experience with this problem.
After many years running two stroke snowmobiles, carbon buildup is caused by lean fuel conditions. Lean causes heat and the carbon sticks to the hot pistons. By adding more fuel(richen) it cools off the chamber and the gas washes off the carbon.
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