Engine Knock on Start up
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL
Engine Knock on Start up
Have a 2002 Road King FLHRI with 68k miles. Great bike, never had any trouble. Installed S&S 510G geared cams at 36k.
Lately I am hearing a knock? on start up. Lasts less than a minute and goes away. Sounds like it's coming from the front cylinder. Almost sounds like an exhaust leak, but checked pipes and exhaust nuts, all good. Wondering if it could be piston slap? I have run full synthetic oil since about 2500 miles. Yesterday, it did it on a restart while it was fully warmed up. Not the compensator, The sound is not coming from the primary cover.
Any ideas?
Lately I am hearing a knock? on start up. Lasts less than a minute and goes away. Sounds like it's coming from the front cylinder. Almost sounds like an exhaust leak, but checked pipes and exhaust nuts, all good. Wondering if it could be piston slap? I have run full synthetic oil since about 2500 miles. Yesterday, it did it on a restart while it was fully warmed up. Not the compensator, The sound is not coming from the primary cover.
Any ideas?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 46
Undo the plug wire (not sure it will run with one cyl) but if it will, see if it quiets down. If it won't run get someone to help & unplug both plugs & crank with a stethoscope. Does it look like it goes away once oil pressure gets up on the gauge (I know mine takes a few seconds to move).
Toby
Toby
Toby
Toby
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
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From: near Milwaukee
I agree with RHillBilly. Had a lifter collapsing on my shovelhead. Scared the hell out of me sounded loud like a piston. Started as cold, only then as about a 100 miles racked up it took longer and longer to pump up and be quiet. Catch it doing it and pull the pushrod covers. if a pushrod has a ton of movement when that cam is not on the lobe its most likely that lifter.
Last edited by garbear; Nov 17, 2013 at 09:39 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: North Cental Iowa
If it sounds like an exhaust leak it's most likely a lifter, if you put in adjustable pushrods when you changed cams it's an easy fix. I'd replace them all, not with HD lifters, S&S, Comp Cams, or Gatermans are some of the best.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL
Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I need to change the lifters.
I had one other thought. Could be carbon knock? I sprayed water into the throttle body several months ago, but it didn't seem to do anything.
Thanks again.
I had one other thought. Could be carbon knock? I sprayed water into the throttle body several months ago, but it didn't seem to do anything.
Thanks again.