"Collapsed Lifter" -Harley Dealer

tbanas2 · Jun 3, 2011

So I brought my 03 Xb9 into the dealership this week.

The bike was getting a jumpy idle, as well as a ticking noise that sounded concerning.

They just called me this morning and left me a message saying that it was likely a collapsed lifter arm, and what they would do is replace all four as well as a gasket. All this for about 1500$...

Any thoughts? I am going to call them back tomorrow. Everyone seems to say that there bikes all have some sort of ticking noise. But I don't understand what the lifter would have to do with my idle problem.

RT Performance · Jun 3, 2011

well this is tough my xb9r tickets like crazy and i always thought sounds like a lifter.
But i been doing it since i bought it.
if it is a lifter down it would cause improper valve lift.
But if it is ticking like it always has....
maybe you have a plug or wire issue

twobuells · Jun 3, 2011

If your a do it yourself type a compression test would tell you. When doing the test you are only supposed to turn the engine over 6 or 7 times. The cylinder with both good lifters will jump the compression tester up to the max your engine has quickly while the one with a valve not opening all the way will have a hard time reaching the same reading.

levi · Jun 3, 2011

Buy a Blast for $1500 and ride that while you fix your XB at home maybe?

$1500 is almost enough to buy a used engine that runs fine. How many hours does the dealership book out for this job?

jimijeans · Jun 4, 2011

Yep a compresson test is the first thing . When the Exhaust is modded the sound just echos through it.Plus the Engine Block is thinner than the older buells.I use the best oil I can find for the XB12R I have and still every once in a while I hear it just slightly.I check the miles and sure enough It's almost Time to change the oil again! Man hang in there. & watch out for the Dealer I hope they are Buell Friendly.

tbanas2 · Jun 4, 2011

Dealership is telling me that about 10 hours is how long it would take. I'm not very mechanically inclined...but I looked at the guide on here about rotating the engine and it seems reasonable. Mechanic wont be in until Monday so I have until then to decide if I am going to tackle it on my own. The other issue is Harley picked it up for me since I don't have a trailer, if they are going to charge me 400 dollars just for that + 'inspection fees' I will most likely just have them do it.

Iamarchangel · Jun 4, 2011

Unfortunately, for a shop to rotate the engine, take off 13 bolts/screws, replace four parts and about EIGHT gaskets, that does sound reasonable.

It would take you several days if you've never done it before and don't feel mechanically inclined.

I've just done a similar job and I'm fairly mechanical. However, I did have an accident that took way more time to resolve (another thread).

Just to feed your paranoia though, I did come across several concerns that were either done by shop mechanics or should have been noticed by shop mechanics.

Dellinger · Nov 10, 2015

Ask them if they checked the compression. If they don't know or say no, get your bike. They are guessing if they don't do the diagnosis properly. They may give you a call a day later saying it will cost twice as much. Most shops don't care how much you pay, how long you wait or how long the fix lasts...

Get a manual and fix it yourself. Rent tools (torque wrenches, ect.) it's easy! Take your time and save a ton of $$$. In the end you'll understand how stuff works, know and love the bike more.

user_deleted · Nov 10, 2015

Dellinger said:
Ask them if they checked the compression. If they don't know or say no, get your bike. They are guessing if they don't do the diagnosis properly. They may give you a call a day later saying it will cost twice as much. Most shops don't care how much you pay, how long you wait or how long the fix lasts...

Get a manual and fix it yourself. Rent tools (torque wrenches, ect.) it's easy! Take your time and save a ton of $$$. In the end you'll understand how stuff works, know and love the bike more.

he posted this over 4 years ago. imagine it is either fixed or blown-up by now.

Dobe1 · Nov 10, 2015

:applause:
That's good, made me laugh!

rchuff · Nov 10, 2015

Thank God the brains of our outfit saw the date on the post. :up: Lol

Dellinger · Nov 10, 2015

LOL... That's funny. Smartphones don't have the biggest screens and my 41 year old eyes don't help.

"Collapsed Lifter" -Harley Dealer

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