Topic: What are the signs your lifters are going (Read 20880 times)

Royalroadie · « **on:** May 04, 2015, 12:54:38 PM »

I have read so much about bad lifters on these motors it has me a bite curious about my motor. I do have a little bit of chirping on the right side of my motor. I would like some input from those who know more than me.

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2015, 01:04:53 PM »

Usually starts by a noise upon start-up, as the lifter is losing is ability to stay pumped-up when sitting, then after a while it'll be at most of the engine operating rpms.
If those are under suspicion, install the best lifter on the market today...........S&S, with their adj. pushrods, loading the lifter to .140" and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Been using that method here for over 10 years now.
Scott

grc · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2015, 01:36:44 PM »

Once again, there are two different issues with Harley's lifters. The leak down and slow to pump up issue is fairly easy to determine, since it causes abnormal lifter noise on startup that slowly clears up as the engine runs. The other and more serious problem is the failure of the rollers, which can often trash the engine.

Several things can make a chirping sound on a Harley, so it doesn't necessarily mean the rollers are about to fail. But it is a possibility. If I had a CVO110 from model years earlier than 2013, and especially the 2011 and 2012 model years, I'd do myself a favor and just change the lifters to a better quality product like the S&S lifters.

Jerry

deldago · « **Reply #3 on:** May 04, 2015, 03:39:04 PM »

Is there enough evidence at this point to say the '13 lifters are better?

grc · « **Reply #4 on:** May 04, 2015, 04:15:06 PM »

Quote from: deldago on May 04, 2015, 03:39:04 PM

Is there enough evidence at this point to say the '13 lifters are better?

Don't know for sure if they totally fixed the problem, but we do know the "C" lifters in the 2011 and 2012 failed at early miles and often enough that Harley came out with the upgraded lifters for 2013 models. Some of those 2013 bikes are now going on 2.5 years and I haven't seen any reports yet of the roller failures that were so common before. I guess we won't know for sure until a large number of people put 30k plus miles on their 2013 and later CVO's.

Jerry

Royalroadie · « **Reply #5 on:** May 04, 2015, 04:17:44 PM »

Quote from: grc on May 04, 2015, 01:36:44 PM

Several things can make a chirping sound on a Harley, so it doesn't necessarily mean the rollers are about to fail. But it is a possibility. If I had a CVO110 from model years earlier than 2013, and especially the 2011 and 2012 model years, I'd do myself a favor and just change the lifters to a better quality product like the S&S lifters.

Jerry

Jerry,

I have a 2012 Street Glide SE and I am more worried about he rollers causing the chirping when I am running down the road. I still have another year left on my ESP and just don't know what is the best way of going about making sure I do not trash the engine and I do not get stuck with a repair bill. Any ideas?

prodrag1320 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 04, 2015, 06:21:23 PM »

chirping would be more likely a bearing going out or a stuck roller (both not good at all).with the lifter roller & cam bearing probs HD has had,ANY new noise coming the cam area should be inspected immediately

johnsachs · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2015, 06:50:32 PM »

In the last month, I've had 3 bikes in for a bad lifter/cam problem.
1-'08 CVO Dyna
2- '13 120R
3- '12 103" Street Glide.
All 3 had intermittent chirping.

Rollers to axle had play allowing the bottom of the lifter to contact the cam. All were front cylinder. 1 exhaust, 2 intakes. As a side note the scavenge side of the oil pump was done. Needed to replace it.

John

panheadscooty · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2015, 08:31:08 PM »

Bought a CVO 2012 SG last summer with 3500 miles. At 7,400 miles, the topend had loud chirping noise. Found out that a lifter had gone bad with filings in oil pump. Went with 113" build.

muddypaws · « **Reply #9 on:** May 05, 2015, 07:31:34 AM »

My rollers broke and you will for sure know when it does.

adkg12 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 05, 2015, 08:42:53 AM »

Mine didnt grenade anything, the engine got "noisy" at nearly all RPMs. Enough to make me uncomfortable...so easy fix. You can save some money if you are stock. Its a little more time, but I removed the rocker box covers for inspection, so I reused my pushrods over. Yes I rolled them on glass to be sure they were straight.
Glen

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #11 on:** May 05, 2015, 12:13:09 PM »

Grab a set of S&S lifters/pushrods/cam bears/gaskets.
Simple install for long lasting quality.
Scott

adkg12 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 05, 2015, 01:12:36 PM »

Well, it doesn't HAVE to be S&S lifters...Just saying

.
Glen

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2015, 06:26:04 AM »

Here it does, that way we can be insure our clients will have the best currently available, at a great price.

Scott

adkg12 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 06, 2015, 08:34:32 AM »

I can understand that. I went with GMR Lifters. They came highly recommended and the price was right where I wanted to be.
Thanks
Glen

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #15 on:** May 06, 2015, 09:10:20 AM »

$130.00 for the Std. S&S lifters.
Mighty tough units.
Scott

Jswerve · « **Reply #16 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:16:19 AM »

Quote from: adkg12 on May 06, 2015, 08:34:32 AM

I can understand that. I went with GMR Lifters. They came highly recommended and the price was right where I wanted to be.
Thanks
Glen

You're in good hands.

Jesse

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #17 on:** May 06, 2015, 11:26:32 AM »

HarleyJeffOregon · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2015, 04:03:46 PM »

Mine started to chirp at 70,000. The rollers had flat spots on them. The chirp is a good sign if you can here it from the right side of the motor.

Rooster · « **Reply #19 on:** May 07, 2015, 04:08:20 PM »

So does this chirp sound like the chirp of a blown head gasket?

grc · « **Reply #20 on:** May 07, 2015, 04:17:01 PM »

Unless one does a lot of listening to sounds and then tears engines down to find the source, it would be very hard to listen to a chirp and be able to pinpoint exactly what it is. If you can use a stethoscope and narrow the noise down to a specific area, then you can at least make an educated guess. If the chirp is coming from the cam chest area, it would be a very good idea to pull and inspect the lifters, sooner rather than later.

Jerry

jachd17 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 07, 2015, 08:12:51 PM »

When in doubt, change them out. 11k on my SE3. Just changed the lifters to S&S Premium, S&S quickee adjustable rods, Torrington cam bearings and a new set of cam chain tensioners while at it. Everything looked O.K. when swapped out but why chance it?

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2015, 06:44:22 AM »

Quote from: jachd17 on May 07, 2015, 08:12:51 PM

When in doubt, change them out. 11k on my SE3. Just changed the lifters to S&S Premium, S&S quickee adjustable rods, Torrington cam bearings and a new set of cam chain tensioners while at it. Everything looked O.K. when swapped out but why chance it?

Right on!

Scott

JustDennis · « **Reply #23 on:** May 13, 2015, 12:52:16 PM »

I just called the two closest local Dealers to ask about swapping to S&S lifters and adj pushrods on my 10 SESG. You would have thought I was talking another language. Neither had heard of an issue but would do the work if I wanted. I think I need to just go in and talk to someone that has a better understanding than just whoever answered the phone.

FlaHeatWave · « **Reply #24 on:** May 13, 2015, 01:48:09 PM »

Quote from: JustDennis on May 13, 2015, 12:52:16 PM

I just called the two closest local Dealers to ask about swapping to S&S lifters and adj pushrods on my 10 SESG. You would have thought I was talking another language. Neither had heard of an issue but would do the work if I wanted. I think I need to just go in and talk to someone that has a better understanding than just whoever answered the phone.

Since you are having the Dealer do the work, you might consider the SE Adjustable Push Rods, they are good 2 go, and the Tech should be more familiar with them. +1 on the S&S Lifters.

HILLSIDECYCLE.COM · « **Reply #25 on:** May 13, 2015, 03:06:13 PM »

The Squealin' Seagull pushrods are just fine.
Scott

JustDennis · « **Reply #26 on:** May 13, 2015, 03:14:49 PM »

Not convinced I'm having a dealer do the work. Just started checking around today

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Author Topic: What are the signs your lifters are going (Read 20880 times)