2008 Streetglide Knocking Bad When Wet : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

HARLEYRIDER155 · 07-30-2009, 09:50 PM

Hi Guys,

this one I cant seem to figure out. I have 2008 FLHX 16,000 miles.
went for a 250 mile ride today well wouldnt you know i got caught in the rain big time coudn't see any thing so I pulled over on shoulder turned off bike for about 5 minutes. when I restarted it the motor rattled like heck but went away after a few minutes or I would of shut her down. I perceeded down the road for about 5 miles and got caught even worse this time with rain and wind.thought the bike was going to blow off the kick stand. Any way when I started it back up it knocked like hell again but went away after a few minutes. I rode about another 100 miles home all good.. When I got home I looked at every thing all looks good (heat sheilds, mufflers ext). Any way bike was still pretty hot and dirty so I said to my self I am going to wash it witch I never do on a hot motor but I just had to see if it would make the noise. I hosed it off real good heads, jugs and so on. Then I started it damm itknocked like hell and then went away????? I have 1 week left on the waranty. Called service manager he says maybe a lifter.
I think maybe a clearance problem valves hitting pistons? rocker arms hitting valve cover? it has to be hosed with cold water when it is hot to do it. Im thinking allum shrinking on out side but parts not shrinking on the inside quick enough. I would buy the lifter problem if it wasn't just doing it with the cold water. Any thoughts would be grately appreciated..

Thanks guys

HARLEYRIDER155 · 07-30-2009, 10:10 PM

I forgot to mention I have good oil presure always and stock cams.

Shockwave · 07-30-2009, 10:11 PM

I'll be watching this one very closely since I have an 08 NT with a 96" that I ride in all weather including very heavy rain on a regular basis. I haven't noticed any knocking with mine but I'll be on the look out now.

arealinvestor · 07-30-2009, 10:20 PM

I wouldn't think washing it ,while the motor was hot, would do any damage.The reason I say that, is when you got caught in the rain,the rain wet /cooled the outside of the motor and the inside was still running / hot!!!

Steve Handy · 07-30-2009, 10:54 PM

I have to go with the lifter possibility...
other than lifters I cant think of mechanical noise that FIXES its self

Steve the Dyno Man

Shockwave · 07-30-2009, 11:22 PM

I'm wondering about water getting through the air filter.

baggersport · 07-30-2009, 11:33 PM

Sounds easy to duplicate.....has the dealer tried?

.

HARLEYRIDER155 · 07-30-2009, 11:39 PM

I take it into the dealer tomorrow. We will see what happens. atleast I will have a record that I had a problem before the waranty ran out. which the warranty runs out the end of next week.