Incredibly loud tappets and fluctuating idle when hot
#1
10-01-2018, 05:57 AM
Incredibly loud tappets and fluctuating idle when hot
Hey all,
I think I've got problems with my '04 XL1200 but I'm struggling to diagnose.
About a week ago I noticed the bike was running louder at the exhaust, idling high (and fluctuating) when hot and most noticeably the tappets sounded like they were trying to fight their way out the top of the engine. Way beyond 'normal' tappet noise too, very rattle-y.
I pulled the pipes and replaced the gaskets and all is well, no leaks. Carb seems all good and clean. Oil was changed about 2000 ago and still looks fine. Enricher is functioning ok too and isn't sticking.
This only seems to happen after the bike is warm, it runs well for about 20 mins and then just sounds terrible.
It's running ok, perhaps a little rough but I wouldn't say noticeably so, still pulls smoothly.
Any ideas as I'm stumped?
Thanks!
I think I've got problems with my '04 XL1200 but I'm struggling to diagnose.
About a week ago I noticed the bike was running louder at the exhaust, idling high (and fluctuating) when hot and most noticeably the tappets sounded like they were trying to fight their way out the top of the engine. Way beyond 'normal' tappet noise too, very rattle-y.
I pulled the pipes and replaced the gaskets and all is well, no leaks. Carb seems all good and clean. Oil was changed about 2000 ago and still looks fine. Enricher is functioning ok too and isn't sticking.
This only seems to happen after the bike is warm, it runs well for about 20 mins and then just sounds terrible.
It's running ok, perhaps a little rough but I wouldn't say noticeably so, still pulls smoothly.
Any ideas as I'm stumped?
Thanks!
#2
10-01-2018, 07:20 AM
Stellar HDF Member
IMO there is no simple answer.
It is not a change the oil answer.
Sometime over time appears to have worn out.
1- Louder exhaust at idle (hot and cold)
2 - Higher idle rpm when hot (stable when cold?)
3 - Increase in tappet sound (only when hot?)
OP seems to have done due diligence, noting the idle issue could be vacuum leak.
I really can't imagine why the exhaust tone increased so that may be misleading.
Other co-members may offer better insights than me, yet I would say OP needs to
remove the rocker covers.
Good Luck.
It is not a change the oil answer.
Sometime over time appears to have worn out.
1- Louder exhaust at idle (hot and cold)
2 - Higher idle rpm when hot (stable when cold?)
3 - Increase in tappet sound (only when hot?)
OP seems to have done due diligence, noting the idle issue could be vacuum leak.
I really can't imagine why the exhaust tone increased so that may be misleading.
Other co-members may offer better insights than me, yet I would say OP needs to
remove the rocker covers.
Good Luck.
#3
10-01-2018, 07:50 AM
#4
10-01-2018, 02:36 PM
HDF Community Team
#5
10-03-2018, 01:11 PM
Thanks for the further replies.
Interesting turn of events this morning, it’s not necessarily related to temperature. I started it cold this morning after the bike sitting overnight and the noise was present immediately. I’ve checked for intake leaks, the manifold seals are fine, as is the slide diaphragm. Since reassembling, the bike runs smoother but the noise is still present.
Whilst I can’t say for certain the noise is the lifters, it’s coming from under the rocker covers and sounds very much like a louder, slightly harsher version of a typical HD lifter noise. It definitely sounds similar to a bike with very old/not enough oil.
The exhaust note, and not necessarily at the muffler, sounds louder and ever so slightly less deep.
In terms of what I’ve done to the bike prior, I hadn’t touched a thing for quite some time, the noise just started happening one morning.
Interesting turn of events this morning, it’s not necessarily related to temperature. I started it cold this morning after the bike sitting overnight and the noise was present immediately. I’ve checked for intake leaks, the manifold seals are fine, as is the slide diaphragm. Since reassembling, the bike runs smoother but the noise is still present.
Whilst I can’t say for certain the noise is the lifters, it’s coming from under the rocker covers and sounds very much like a louder, slightly harsher version of a typical HD lifter noise. It definitely sounds similar to a bike with very old/not enough oil.
The exhaust note, and not necessarily at the muffler, sounds louder and ever so slightly less deep.
In terms of what I’ve done to the bike prior, I hadn’t touched a thing for quite some time, the noise just started happening one morning.
#7
06-13-2024, 10:39 AM
Thanks for the further replies.
Interesting turn of events this morning, it’s not necessarily related to temperature. I started it cold this morning after the bike sitting overnight and the noise was present immediately. I’ve checked for intake leaks, the manifold seals are fine, as is the slide diaphragm. Since reassembling, the bike runs smoother but the noise is still present.
Whilst I can’t say for certain the noise is the lifters, it’s coming from under the rocker covers and sounds very much like a louder, slightly harsher version of a typical HD lifter noise. It definitely sounds similar to a bike with very old/not enough oil.
The exhaust note, and not necessarily at the muffler, sounds louder and ever so slightly less deep.
In terms of what I’ve done to the bike prior, I hadn’t touched a thing for quite some time, the noise just started happening one morning.
Interesting turn of events this morning, it’s not necessarily related to temperature. I started it cold this morning after the bike sitting overnight and the noise was present immediately. I’ve checked for intake leaks, the manifold seals are fine, as is the slide diaphragm. Since reassembling, the bike runs smoother but the noise is still present.
Whilst I can’t say for certain the noise is the lifters, it’s coming from under the rocker covers and sounds very much like a louder, slightly harsher version of a typical HD lifter noise. It definitely sounds similar to a bike with very old/not enough oil.
The exhaust note, and not necessarily at the muffler, sounds louder and ever so slightly less deep.
In terms of what I’ve done to the bike prior, I hadn’t touched a thing for quite some time, the noise just started happening one morning.
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#8
06-13-2024, 10:57 AM
Unfortunately the bike (and almost me...) got trashed by a car driver who had other things on his mind than concentrating on the road. I'm not sure I ever figured out the noise but thinking back to it, mine was almost certainly an oil circulation issue.
#9
06-14-2024, 01:33 PM
HDF Community Team
The following users liked this post:
BlueridgeXL (06-15-2024)
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