Cleaning compression releases?

Energy One

Kobi

Member
My 08 Ridge has a sticky rear CR. I can push on it and feel it sticks a bit before it opens. I suspect carbon is causing it to be sticky. In an attempt to free it up, I was thinking if you can see it thru the exhaust port with the exhaust off the bike it could be sprayed with a carbon melting solution. My friend has the stuff that will wash away carbon. Do you guys know if you can see the back side of the CR looking up in the exhaust port? Seems like it would be worth a try. Thanks
 

chubs

Guru
If ya had access to a 20 c.c. syringe with a 20g or 16g needle, you might stick it in the rubber boot on top and squirt some of that cleaner in and then work the release a few times. Never know, Might work.
 

Mr. Wright

Knows some things
You can not see it through either port. It actually doen't come through the head. It screws into the head, then there is a small hold the goes the rest of the way through, about the size of a paper clip. Poke a small hole in the rubber boot and spray some WD-40 on it. Or just change them out.
 

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
My 08 Ridge has a sticky rear CR. I can push on it and feel it sticks a bit before it opens. I suspect carbon is causing it to be sticky. In an attempt to free it up, I was thinking if you can see it thru the exhaust port with the exhaust off the bike it could be sprayed with a carbon melting solution. My friend has the stuff that will wash away carbon. Do you guys know if you can see the back side of the CR looking up in the exhaust port? Seems like it would be worth a try. Thanks
I thought my rear CR was "sticky", when I pulled it out to replace it, it fell apart in my hand. I would suggest replacing them, its cheap piece of mind and quite easy to do. I did a "how to" on changing them.
 

Kobi

Member
I may just replace them. I hope S&S made design changes to make them last longer. I only have 2300 miles and suspect I had issues with them since I bought the bike with 1100 miles. I was hoping they could be seen and cleaned thru the exhaust port where they vent into. Thanks guys!
 

badyellowvette

Active Member
I cut the slit in mine and worked WD-40 into them for about a week than used silicone to closed up the slit. This summer I am going to open them up and lube them again. The silicone seemed to stay put. Mine weren't sticking just wanted to make sure they working and not sticking.
 

francoblay1

The Spaniard
I may just replace them. I hope S&S made design changes to make them last longer. I only have 2300 miles and suspect I had issues with them since I bought the bike with 1100 miles. I was hoping they could be seen and cleaned thru the exhaust port where they vent into. Thanks guys!
Nope... no relationship between CRs and exhaust ports whatsoever...

It´s strange yours lasted such a short life... they usually last quite a bit longer... If my memory is right I think I saw a thread here where the guys were talking about a life span of around 30 K Miles or so.

In my 2006 K9 the rear one went tits up last summer.
 

Kobi

Member
Franco, where does the released pressure go? The CR has to have access to both the combustion chamber and exhaust port.
 

bdm7250

Guru
Supporting Member
I thought my rear CR was "sticky", when I pulled it out to replace it, it fell apart in my hand. I would suggest replacing them, its cheap piece of mind and quite easy to do. I did a "how to" on changing them.
This is how my rear CR came out..
20180404_194635_resized.jpg
 

francoblay1

The Spaniard
Franco, where does the released pressure go? The CR has to have access to both the combustion chamber and exhaust port.
The S&S compression releases, as well as the Harley Twin cam electric compression releases vent to the exhaust port.
No, the Harley releases are NOT compatible with the S&S releases.
John
Yes, sorry I didn't explain myself quite clearly lol. What I meant to say is that there is no way to reach the CRs through the holes where the exhaust pipes are fitted! for this to be possible you should go through the exhaust valves too... no way. :oldnono:
 
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