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[gregr]

My service manager says I am experiencing valve or lifter leak down. The result is a very loud ticking for about 20 seconds after the engine is started from cold. Will this eventually lead to bigger problems?

[grc]

My service manager says I am experiencing valve or lifter leak down. The result is a very loud ticking for about 20 seconds after the engine is started from cold. Will this eventually lead to bigger problems?

It very well might, since it's not really a normal thing regardless of what H-D may tell you.  Once again, if something is truly "normal" and "acceptable", most should do it.  Unless something has radically changed in the world of hydraulic lifters recently, most lifters don't leak down every time they are allowed to sit for a short period of time and then take 20 seconds to pump back up.  Do you hear that sort of thing in your other vehicles with hydraulic lifters or hydraulic lash adjusters?  Didn't think so.  A lifter is supposed to gradually leak down if pressure is applied via the pushrod, rocker, and valve spring, but most refill almost immediately when the engine is fired up again.  If it really takes 20 seconds to "pump up", something isn't quite right.


Jerry

[HD Street Performance]

So that could be a lack of adequate oil pressure or damaged lifter(s) assuming the motor is stock

[scttgr8]

It very well might, since it's not really a normal thing regardless of what H-D may tell you.  Once again, if something is truly "normal" and "acceptable", most should do it.  Unless something has radically changed in the world of hydraulic lifters recently, most lifters don't leak down every time they are allowed to sit for a short period of time and then take 20 seconds to pump back up.  Do you hear that sort of thing in your other vehicles with hydraulic lifters or hydraulic lash adjusters?  Didn't think so.  A lifter is supposed to gradually leak down if pressure is applied via the pushrod, rocker, and valve spring, but most refill almost immediately when the engine is fired up again.  If it really takes 20 seconds to "pump up", something isn't quite right.


Jerry

x2   just because it may be heard on some does not make it NORMAL

[Coyote.]

It's cheap enough to change out the lifters for piece of mine. It's most likely the front one(s). But if they are pumping up in a few seconds, it's probably not a problem.

[captdave221]

It's cheap enough to change out the lifters for piece of mine. It's most likely the front one(s). But if they are pumping up in a few seconds, it's probably not a problem.

I am wondering why you figure it is a front one? True I have seen more inner cam bearings fail on the front hence causing lifter and cam bearing journal damage than the rear. Do you know something about the oiling path or?

Like I said just wondering. Thanks.

[Coyote.]

IME, The front ones are usually the ones that go bad due to the angle of the push rod.