Lifter Failure on M8 at 45k miles
#162
12-13-2022 | 05:53 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#163
12-13-2022 | 06:16 PM
Stellar HDF Member
#164
12-14-2022 | 07:25 AM
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#165
12-16-2022 | 02:22 AM
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#166
08-03-2023 | 02:04 PM
Lifter Failure - 2019 Road Glide with S&S 128 Kit
I just had this happen a few weeks ago - 22,000 miles, running and sounding great, then a weird cough, and then terrible sound from the motor, no power, etc. Had to limp it home. Got it into the shop and found out this morning it's a blown lifter. The HD shop is having the ESP inspector come over to take a look, but it does not sound good.
Well the phone call just came in from the dealer and it’s not good.
Sunday a week ago during an overnight 500 miles ride in the Western Carolina mountains we turned 45k miles on our 2017 CVO Limited aka “Olivia”.
We were having an excellent weekend and 90 miles from home when something happened. The engine kept running, but sounded terrible, power dropped to nothing and we had just enough to safely get off the road into a paved driveway.
I called the Asheville and Hickory, NC dealerships and the first thing out of their mouths was we close in an hour. Sure I get that but can you come and pick us up, we’ll pay. The answer from both was NO.
Decided to hire a flat bed and we got home safely around 9:30pm. The local dealership that we purchased the bike from picked her up on Thursday and they checked it out this morning. We had a lifter failure and the engine is full of metal. The good news, at least so far is we have the ESP and it’s good through September. The dealership has already contacted them and due to the extent of damage and cost of the repair they must come out and inspect it which will happen later this week.
The dealer said the engine is loaded with metal and they do not want to repair it.
So where have I been on lifter failure? We all talk about sumping but I guess I have been asleep on the lifter issue. Looking online and on YouTube it is a thing with the M8. The housing bore seem to be part of the problem along with the plastic lifter cuffs.
We purchased this bike new in October of 2017 after the new 2018’s were already out. It was built in May 2018 and was 100% trouble free at 30k miles. We then installed the 117 Stage III kit and again she ran flawlessly for 15k more miles until last week.
That final morning when leaving our hotel in Cherokee, NC we had a slight uphill to a red light. The light turned green and the bike felt like it was in second gear leaving when it was clearly in first. It ran fine from there for 100 miles until the failure. Knowing what I know now I wish I had realized this may have been a sign and taken it serious. I can only assume this was a lifter issue causing the power loss?
I’d love to hear from the experts whether the lack of power that morning was a sign of the coming lifter failure and if anyone else has experienced lifter failure or maybe upgraded to the better S&S cuffs.
I’ll keep everyone updated on how we move forward. This is my wife’s baby and it ain’t going anywhere. Just glad we have a second bike to enjoy while it’s down.
Sunday a week ago during an overnight 500 miles ride in the Western Carolina mountains we turned 45k miles on our 2017 CVO Limited aka “Olivia”.
We were having an excellent weekend and 90 miles from home when something happened. The engine kept running, but sounded terrible, power dropped to nothing and we had just enough to safely get off the road into a paved driveway.
I called the Asheville and Hickory, NC dealerships and the first thing out of their mouths was we close in an hour. Sure I get that but can you come and pick us up, we’ll pay. The answer from both was NO.
Decided to hire a flat bed and we got home safely around 9:30pm. The local dealership that we purchased the bike from picked her up on Thursday and they checked it out this morning. We had a lifter failure and the engine is full of metal. The good news, at least so far is we have the ESP and it’s good through September. The dealership has already contacted them and due to the extent of damage and cost of the repair they must come out and inspect it which will happen later this week.
The dealer said the engine is loaded with metal and they do not want to repair it.
So where have I been on lifter failure? We all talk about sumping but I guess I have been asleep on the lifter issue. Looking online and on YouTube it is a thing with the M8. The housing bore seem to be part of the problem along with the plastic lifter cuffs.
We purchased this bike new in October of 2017 after the new 2018’s were already out. It was built in May 2018 and was 100% trouble free at 30k miles. We then installed the 117 Stage III kit and again she ran flawlessly for 15k more miles until last week.
That final morning when leaving our hotel in Cherokee, NC we had a slight uphill to a red light. The light turned green and the bike felt like it was in second gear leaving when it was clearly in first. It ran fine from there for 100 miles until the failure. Knowing what I know now I wish I had realized this may have been a sign and taken it serious. I can only assume this was a lifter issue causing the power loss?
I’d love to hear from the experts whether the lack of power that morning was a sign of the coming lifter failure and if anyone else has experienced lifter failure or maybe upgraded to the better S&S cuffs.
I’ll keep everyone updated on how we move forward. This is my wife’s baby and it ain’t going anywhere. Just glad we have a second bike to enjoy while it’s down.
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Cosmic Razorback (08-03-2023)
#167
08-03-2023 | 04:39 PM
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
I just had this happen a few weeks ago - 22,000 miles, running and sounding great, then a weird cough, and then terrible sound from the motor, no power, etc. Had to limp it home. Got it into the shop and found out this morning it's a blown lifter. The HD shop is having the ESP inspector come over to take a look, but it does not sound good.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope you have the same good fortune from ESP that we did.
To be fair I should have changed the title of this thread. The bike had 45k miles on it. But the stage III kit with new lifters was only in the bike for 15 k miles.
I am very surprised to hear you were about to limp it home. My bike had only enough power to get onto the trailer. It was sick!
Is your motor stock?
#168
08-03-2023 | 04:52 PM
No. S&S big bore 128 kit with all S&S lifters, tappets, cuffs, etc.
Still waiting for the final diag (the fact that it’s been at the shop for nearly 3 weeks and they’re just now getting to it is a whole separate story). So we’ll see if it’s covered. If not, I’m going to have some decisions to make.
Still waiting for the final diag (the fact that it’s been at the shop for nearly 3 weeks and they’re just now getting to it is a whole separate story). So we’ll see if it’s covered. If not, I’m going to have some decisions to make.
I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope you have the same good fortune from ESP that we did.
To be fair I should have changed the title of this thread. The bike had 45k miles on it. But the stage III kit with new lifters was only in the bike for 15 k miles.
I am very surprised to hear you were about to limp it home. My bike had only enough power to get onto the trailer. It was sick!
Is your motor stock?
To be fair I should have changed the title of this thread. The bike had 45k miles on it. But the stage III kit with new lifters was only in the bike for 15 k miles.
I am very surprised to hear you were about to limp it home. My bike had only enough power to get onto the trailer. It was sick!
Is your motor stock?
The following users liked this post:
Cosmic Razorback (08-04-2023)
#169
08-03-2023 | 08:29 PM
Club Member
No. S&S big bore 128 kit with all S&S lifters, tappets, cuffs, etc.
Still waiting for the final diag (the fact that it’s been at the shop for nearly 3 weeks and they’re just now getting to it is a whole separate story). So we’ll see if it’s covered. If not, I’m going to have some decisions to make.
Still waiting for the final diag (the fact that it’s been at the shop for nearly 3 weeks and they’re just now getting to it is a whole separate story). So we’ll see if it’s covered. If not, I’m going to have some decisions to make.
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