Tappet Screen Mistake Could Cost Me Big $$$

mofaster

mofaster

Member
I changed the oil on my 06 Mastiff, and like an idiot put in the tappet screen upside down. Rode for a while, then started to hear a strange noise coming from the engine. rechecked the fluid, seemed to have an air bubble in it or something, refiled a bit. Noise still there. Then I decided to look at the screen, it was upside down, and the screen bent up pretty good.

So, I'm thinking I did some damage to the engine, and now have to take it in to get looked at. Only have 3500 miles on the bike. I am always so careful with everything, so pissed at myself. Followed GasMan's DIY.

Anyone with ideas what I could of screwed up, and what this might cost me?

Thanks.
 
MARV

MARV

Well-Known Member
noise travels

could be a loose mount, bolt, vent tube, primary chain, etc.....

get a mechanic stethoscope and try to pinpoint before you pay someone to do it for you.
 
mofaster

mofaster

Member
Interesting thing to, is the noise doesn't start until like 20 seconds after the bike is running..and almost sounds like a bearing...
 
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BBChopper

BBChopper

Supports 2 Disabled Vets
Troop Supporter
MARV said:
noise travels

could be a loose mount, bolt, vent tube, primary chain, etc.....

get a mechanic stethoscope and try to pinpoint before you pay someone to do it for you.
Click to expand...
Cut down Pool Cue works too, small end!:2thumbs:
 
mofaster

mofaster

Member
Got one, I'm so perplexed, now the noise seems to have gone away after letting it idel for a bit....

If it was something major, wouldn't it be static? Always there? From the beginning?

Wondering with the new tappet, new oil, etc, it's all lubricated now, etc.

Sad part is talked to my local "BD" dealer, and he said no luck getting engine parts....


Oh, and I do have a mechanic's scope, when it comes back (pulling my hair out), I will try to listening more carefully.
 
Brew

Brew

Troop Supporter
You can get engine parts from S&S or one of our vendors/dealers on this site. Not sure why your dealer said that, might want to visit a different parts supplier... Just saying
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
It would seem to me that IF the upsidedown screen,and spring assembly, affected anything, :angry: the first thing you would hear would be lifter noise.
Doubt that's you problem. :up:
John
 
mofaster

mofaster

Member
john sachs said:
It would seem to me that IF the upsidedown screen,and spring assembly, affected anything, :angry: the first thing you would hear would be lifter noise.
Doubt that's you problem. :up:
John
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I hope that you are right John, thanks. If it did effect the lifters, what would be the fix, or could it effect other parts of the Rocker Box?

Also, I always get confused, but when we say lifters we are talking about the pushrods, correct?

Problem is I can't tell if it is lifter noise or not, I'm taking it in tomorrow for the tech's to take a listen and look.

Thank you all.

Kelli's Ride
 
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Nukeranger

Nukeranger

Nukeranger
mofaster said:
I hope that you are right John, thanks. If it did effect the lifters, what would be the fix, or could it effect other parts of the Rocker Box?

Also, I always get confused, but when we say lifters we are talking about the pushrods, correct?

Problem is I can't tell if it is lifter noise or not, I'm taking it in tomorrow for the tech's to take a listen and look.

Thank you all.

Kelli's Ride
Click to expand...
Mofaster, I still recommend you call S&S and tell them what happened to you. It can't hurt and they have a lot of experience depending on who you talk to.
 
john sachs

john sachs

Well-Known Member
mofaster said:
I hope that you are right John, thanks. If it did effect the lifters, what would be the fix, or could it effect other parts of the Rocker Box?

Also, I always get confused, but when we say lifters we are talking about the pushrods, correct?

Problem is I can't tell if it is lifter noise or not, I'm taking it in tomorrow for the tech's to take a listen and look.

Thank you all.

Kelli's Ride
Click to expand...
All that screen and spring do, is act as another filter (to the lifters) if any crap gets in the oil before being filtered out by your oil filter. The only harm that can be done by installing it wrong, would be if it got crushed, it could possibly block off the oil supply to the lifters.
The lifters are the hydraullic units with the wheels on them that ride on the cam. Very sensitive to oil supply/oil pressure.:eek:
How long did you run the motor like that?
John
 
mofaster

mofaster

Member
john sachs said:
All that screen and spring do, is act as another filter (to the lifters) if any crap gets in the oil before being filtered out by your oil filter. The only harm that can be done by installing it wrong, would be if it got crushed, it could possibly block off the oil supply to the lifters.
The lifters are the hydraullic units with the wheels on them that ride on the cam. Very sensitive to oil supply/oil pressure.:eek:
How long did you run the motor like that?
John
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John, that is what happened, when I removed it, it was crushed up a bit. I went out on 1 10 mile ride, before I started to hear the noise.

QUESTION: How big of a deal is it if the lifters where damaged, as far as replacing, getting parts, pretty straight forward to replace for a tech. I'm not as concerned about the price, as I am about bigger issues, like engine, etc.?

Never got any indication of a oil pressure light at all, bike sounds solid, power was fine riding home, starts, other than the noise after about 20 seconds after it's starts. Only been started a few times to try and diagnose the noise.




:(
 
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Ironmikey

Ironmikey

Iron Mikey
I wish I was smart enough to just FIND the cotton-pick in' filter on my '06 K9. Flathead screw lower left side of engine (next to a hex bolt?). That's what I was told stopping by a CA shop visiting my sons. Unscrewing it back home in AZ I found a spring inside a tubular plunger-looking tube about the size of a 22 cal. Bullet with a flat end and beveled edge. No screen. A pictures worth a thousand words...and the one in the online owner's manual is indistinct from chrome glare (or even with my glasses I can't tell exactly where it's at). Directions please? Flushed and changed oil but tappets / rockets still sound loud. Buying a mechanics steth tonight. Thanks.
 
Ironmikey

Ironmikey

Iron Mikey
Nཛ͢ཀཇཧ༏ཧי said:
http://www.bigdogbiker.com/threads/video-34-5-tappet-screen-maintenance-and-oil-gauge-intro.76700/


That will get you to Marky Marc's video on tap pet screens.
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Thanks! Had the brilliant flash of rare inspiration to google it with the right words (Boolean logic was never my strong suit) under videos and Voila'.
But man you're fast! Thanks! And we obviously have the same sleep pattern. Went out and cleaned it right after watching the video just now - clean as a whistle . Can't check tappet noise cuz my neighbors aren't as enamored with low rolling thunder as I am late at night.
 
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