Motor noise

Energy One

Fat_Bastard

Active Member
Agree with above posts but also you may consider:

cannot be certain... (Sometimes cracked valve spring; compression test to find.)

Don't know the 2008 Big Dog primary (have the 2004 "harley" primary on mine)
but yours sounds something like this; but different perhaps because different Big Dog primary setup...

This video enabled me to diagnose the noise and eventually fix it. -- was a loose Compensator Nut. Compensator noise changes slightly when clutch in and go from neutral to gear and back with out reving motor.

Reving motor: in gear, or neutral, or riding does it change the noise?
Also try to stick end of screw driver at suspected area and listen to handle like a
"stethescope" (no bullshit) to further isolate source area of noise.

 
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Big D Florida

Well-Known Member
Troop Supporter
I don't know what it is but I would find the sour e before it does some serious damage.i listened to it again and it sounds like it's outside the motor. I would check all the mounting bolts just in case
Hopefully it's something simple.
Agree with Paul, hard to tell from the video. Diagnostics from the audio would be hit or miss.
Try to isolate it, internal/external, top-end/low-end, etc.
 
Noise isn't there when I first start it up. It starts once warm. Seems to be coming from the very top on the spark plug side. Listened with a screw driver that all sounds smooth. Its more of a ticking or pinging. I don't have a oil pressure gauge but the idle is high enough .
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
remove the gas cap and check to see if the vent tube down in the hole is still in place or maybe broken off.

been a lot of people chased their tails trying to find a noise and it just be the tank vent tube.
 

sixpack

Member
John, I have the exact same noise issue on one of my Dogs. Had the motor rebuilt by S&S and got this issue with the rebuild. S&S has sent me to 3 shops, lifters changed 3 times, same noise. No noise until engine warms up. Pretty frustrating. Let me know if you resolve it. I will do the same.
 

Marky-Marc

Well-Known Member
@John Cingel - start with a simple pushrod adjustment and go from there, but the 'stethoscope' trick is your best bet to isolate the noise - screwdriver works fine or harbor freight has an engine one for under $10

@sixpack - If everything has been done, and the noise continues, check the rocker arm shafts/bushings in the rocker boxes - these sometimes wear out due to heat in both TP Rocker boxes and S&S Rocker boxes and that failure will sound like A ticking as well....
 

sixpack

Member
Pknowles, Yeah, you would. This motor was rebuilt by S&S and the noise started after the rebuild. Since it is under warrantee, I have been going through S&S. Lifters have been changed out 3 times... rules that out.

Markey-Marc, thanks for the input. With the motor just rebuilt by S&S, I would have thought they would check the rocker shaft clearances. I am also considering that since the noise only appears after full operating temp has been reached, that maybe the spring collars might be slightly hitting the inside of the rocker box at operating temp. Sound plausible to you?
 
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