Problems and Even Bigger Problems! Help?

[beavecleave0957]

Well a few weeks ago i was riding down the highway with some slight rain and all of a sudden i had a HUGE power loss! She was sounding ruff so i pulled over and looked at everything and it was fine started it back up and went slow and it did it again so i just limped home.

So i decided i better take the problem child to the Harley dealership to let them have a look at it. Gave me a call said there was no issues did the TPS reset for the new computer and sent me on my way.

I got home unloaded out of my truck and took it for a spin, it ran like a top, and i was pulling into the garage and BOOM! One cylinder was firing sounded like i had a hole somewhere.

So a few mins later I got her taken down and pulled the plug wires off to inspect the plugs and sure enough the plug was stuck to the end of the plug wire....and i never unscrewed it. Thinking thats odd i took the new plug and put it into the front cylinder and it FELL IN.....

-Harley dealership says i need to replace the head? Opinions?
-Also read about the helicoil and Time-Certs these any good?
-And what could have caused such damage? Im using NGK Iridiums and the bike is a 2005 XB9R with only 6500 miles on it...

 

[jeepin79]

Also read about the helicoil and Time-Certs these any good?

From the sound of it I would say these are not an option. I think you are going to be stuck replacing the head but the bigger question is what caused it? I am sure some of the experts will chime in with some better info.

 

[myronman3]

i had a plug blow on me with my 65 panhead. freaking scared the shit out of me. and the flames shooting out of the hole did nothing for the situation, either (dual plugs per cylinder). i ended up replacing the head on it rather than screw around with it. mine was caused by years, and years of screwing and unscrewing plugs....they werent made out of the strongest material back then. i have no idea about yours...faulty part perhaps?

 

[myronman3]

at any rate, you have to take the head off anyway to get the plug out; might as well just put a new one on while you are at it.

 

[frakchered]

Not sure what a time-cert is, but I am familiar with helicoils. They will hold, for awhile, but are not recommended for the pressures. I have bad results with people doing that.

 

[wiguy85]

Not sure how big the hole is compared to the plug. Im guessing that the threads are pulled out. In that case, i would think that time-cert would be an option because i think you tap into the bore of the hole or a new/used head (buellster/ebay??). Don't bother with the helicoil. That problem has happened to a few people already. Im guessing here, but i would think a big part of it is due to a lot of plug removal and reinstall but probably a bigger reason to piggyback it is overtorque, its more sensitive than a regular small engine/snowmobile or whatever where ya just give it a good hand tight. Other's chime in??

 

[jimijeans]

The Time serts are the best way to go on that. Make sure that is what the complete problem is so as to get all of the problem fixed. Napa and other part stores will have the necessary parts to fix it.Make sure to get a wet dry vac.,and remove any particles that may be in the cylinder head.The kit may seem expensive but compared to? just take your time and you'll be riding in no time.

 

[Iamarchangel]

So i decided i better take the problem child to the Harley dealership to let them have a look at it. Gave me a call said there was no issues did the TPS reset for the new computer and sent me on my way.

What exactly where they looking at?

They have to run the bike to do the proper HD tps reset.

 

[Ozzie]

Sounds like you were sucking water into the air cleaner.