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[Cat Eye]

This is what my pistons looked like after 32K using H-D Syn3....I think syn3 caused my engine failure......like I said, Redline in all three holes now

[porthole]

The dealer called today, he said the dealership would give me a $1200 credit for help with parts and also a 10% discount on parts. 

The dealer offering you $1200 should tell you something.

[porthole]

This is what my pistons looked like after 32K using H-D Syn3....I think syn3 caused my engine failure......like I said, Redline in all three holes now

Looks more like crappy gasoline

[HOGMIKE]

This is what my pistons looked like after 32K using H-D Syn3....I think syn3 caused my engine failure......like I said, Redline in all three holes now

About 40k miles with Amsoil.............AND crap gas!

The picture may be a little misleading, actually the CC, valves and top of the pistons were pretty clean, all things considered.

I pulled the heads to install .030 head gaskets, cams, exhaust. Bike runs great now. 55k on the clock as of yesterday. Also a '10 Limited

 

[Sklywag]

There have been many reported instances of lifter roller failures over the past few years.  The situation tends to be as you described yours, with the cams damaged and metal strewn throughout the engine.  I seem to remember reading a report not too long ago about a similar situation where the MoCo wound up supplying a replacement engine and the customer just paying for the dealership labor.  So if the stars are aligned just right, and the MoCo person handling your case is in a good mood, you just might wind up a lot better off than you thought earlier.

And btw, unless your ace mechanic has scientific evidence to back up his claims, he really should shut his mouth and stop showing his ignorance.  Amsoil has always tested among the very best oils on the market, and consistently tests better than the stuff Harley sells.  It also meets and exceeds all API and SAE specifications. 


Here is some detailed infor with pictures of lifter issues
Metallurgy report "pitting fatigue" on SE lifters
http://harleytechtalk.org/htt/index.php/topic,49579.0/topicseen.html




Jerry

[grc]

Looks more like crappy gasoline

Yup.  Oil doesn't usually cause that type of dry deposit, and even if it did oil is not supposed to be in the combustion chamber in any significant amounts.  Blaming a brand of oil for poor combustion or for leaking valve stem seals or other failures caused strictly by the lousy parts in the engine or trans seems to be a popular pastime though. 

Carbon deposits are to be expected in any engine, and in a Harley CVO hemi they tend to be even worse since there isn't great turbulence in the combustion chamber.  Running rich mixtures (which many folks do just because it's common knowledge you have to run a Harley really rich  ) also contributes a great deal to heavy carbon deposits.  And of course if you believe all the advertising hype from the gasoline marketer's, there is a big difference if you have the super duper nitrogen enriched detergent system of brand S versus the cheap crap from brand B.  And then we have the too numerous to mention additives that should be thrown in at every fill-up to avoid just such a deposit nightmare.  Obviously that engine didn't get a regular dose of the good stuff.

Once again, if we were to avoid every brand of oil that someone was using when their POS Harley engine or trans failed, we would all be unable to ride since we wouldn't have any oil in our engines or transmissions.  Put the blame where it belongs folks, not on the brand of oil.


Jerry

[porthole]

Snake oil or not I try and only use Tier 1 Gasoline's, after seeing my valves at 10,000 miles, I made the switch. And at that I try and limit it to Shell if I can.
Prior to the switch I used the cheapest high test I could find, typically WaWa.

[spydglide]

Snake oil or not I try and only use Tier 1 Gasoline's, after seeing my valves at 10,000 miles, I made the switch. Prior to the switch I used the cheapest high test I could find, typically WaWa.
And at that I try and limit it to Shell if I can.

I'm trying to seek out ethanol-free gasoline.  It's tough if you're traveling to know where it is, but whenever I can find it, it's my choice and it's usually not brand-name.  spyder

[Shovelhead]

This thread is going to be fun!    HD was "against" synthetic only before it had its own brand.  Now, CVO bikes come with signs that only synthetics should be used.  Many of us here have used Amsoil and other synthetics for years with no issues.  Whoever made this claim to you at the dealership was downright nuts!  (Or worse.)  I'm hoping for your sake you have the extended warranty.  

GK

Yep, what he said !

I only use Amsoil in my CVO

[porthole]

Using a smart phone Spyder? There are a couple of free apps that are ethanol free station locators.

I don't know why you just don't use your "spidey sense" though.

[ledearth]

Yup.  Oil doesn't usually cause that type of dry deposit, and even if it did oil is not supposed to be in the combustion chamber in any significant amounts.  Blaming a brand of oil for poor combustion or for leaking valve stem seals or other failures caused strictly by the lousy parts in the engine or trans seems to be a popular pastime though.  

Carbon deposits are to be expected in any engine, and in a Harley CVO hemi they tend to be even worse since there isn't great turbulence in the combustion chamber.  Running rich mixtures (which many folks do just because it's common knowledge you have to run a Harley really rich  ) also led lights contributes a great deal to heavy carbon deposits.  And of course if you believe all the advertising hype from the gasoline marketer's, there is a big difference if you have the super duper nitrogen enriched detergent system of brand S versus the cheap crap from brand B.  And then we have the too numerous to mention additives that should be thrown in at every fill-up to avoid just such a deposit nightmare.  Obviously that engine didn't get a regular dose of the good stuff.

Once again, if we were to avoid every brand of oil that someone was using when their POS Harley engine or trans failed, we would all be unable to ride since we wouldn't have any oil in our engines or transmissions.  Put the blame where it belongs folks, not on the brand of oil.


Jerry

You are a great guy. It also depends on your experience, equipment, and.... competency... thanks for the best inform provider... i'll meet you as soon as possible... thanks again...  

[Willie D]

This is what my pistons looked like after 32K using H-D Syn3....I think syn3 caused my engine failure......like I said, Redline in all three holes now

Looks like BAD Ga$ to me too.  :nixweiss:Skirts look fine.  
I use mostly Shell or Marathon 89 octane, and have not had any problems, and get better mileage than most of the guys
who choose to burn Premium.
JMHO

[clegg]

The whole incident is a shame.  Perhaps you'll get to have that "built" motor we all dream about and have a happy ending.  Good luck!   

GK

Funny you mention this idea! Thats why I now have a 106 with compression releases. When you have to replace everything in the cases anyway then.......