[Dyna Bill]

99 Dyna Super Glide TC-88, 7500 miles, bone stock.
Going down the highway at 60 mph and engine starts an intermittant miss. Lasts but a split second and then is fine for another mile or two then does it again for another split second. Each miss is accompanied by a noise that I can only best describe as the starter drive trying to engage, although I'm sure it wasn't. Slowed for a stoplight and it acted like it was going to die so I gave it some throttle and it acted like it was running on one cylinder then cleared up and ran fine for another mile till I got to my destination then it wouldn't idle worth crap. It finally died with the noise I described before. Started it up again and it ran on both cylinders for a minute then started running on one cylinder then died with that noise again. I trailered it to an independent dealer where it now sits.
The whole time I'm thinking ignition module or some electronic or timing problem. The service dept. hooked up the scanalyzer and found a code for a bad cam position sensor. They put in new cam sensor and no improvement. They said they then found an intake manifold leak and replaced a gasket. Didn't help. They went through the fuel petcock and lines and found no obstructions. Now they're talking about pulling the rocker covers and maybe doing a valve job!
I'm scared $hitless not knowing where this is going to end and I'm afraid these guys are fishing deeper than they need to.
At this point, I'm out the cost of the cam sensor and an hour or two labor and I'm thinking about hauling the bike somewhere else for a second opinion.
Anybody got any clues as to what might be getting overlooked? I'm desperate here!

 

[Dyna Bill]

HIPPO,
I respect your expertise immensely. One question:
The bike runs almost perfect at higher RPM's with the miss happening at intervals as much as a minute or two apart. But the problem is really apparent when it starts running crappy and dies after idling for a minute or two. Are these the classic symptoms of a rear cam bearing failure? It doesn't make any unusual noise until it misses or dies. I'm not questioning your knowledge, just hoping maybe you could elaborate a little on possible collateral damage. Thanks.

 

[Dyna Bill]

After they replaced the cam sensor (they showed me the old one) they hooked the scanalyzer back up while I was standing there and there were no codes set. But the symptoms were still there. They heard the noise and obviously have not related it to a cam bearing problem. In their own words, "We've been pulling our hair out over this and we're pretty much stumped". That's when they mentioned getting into the valves.
I think these guys are on a fishing expedition and it would be prudent for me to heed HIPPO's advice and take it to a Harley dealer I feel confident with.
I'll keep you informed as to what comes up.

 

[Dyna Bill]

Well, I hauled the Dyna to the Harley dealer Saturday and left it. They won't be able to get to it till Wednesday. When I unloaded it off the trailer and drove it into the service area, it sounded like it was running on one cylinder. After describing the rest of the symptoms to the service manager he told me it could very possibly be...you guessed it: cam bearings. Said this one should be on Harley. I hope to know more later in the week. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Dyna Bill]

cox9000,
All my backup bikes are 1/24 scale and made of plastic.

 

[Dyna Bill]

O.k. folks, here's the skinny...But first I must bow down to HIPPO. You are the Master!
Dealer called and said it lunched the cam beearing. Replacement assembly airfreighted in yesterday. Should be done today. Pick my scoot up tomorrow. Harley picks up the tab.
I must give kudos to Ozark Harley Davidson in Lebanon, Missouri.
Fast , friendly, courteous, and HONEST service.

 

[Dyna Bill]

Well,Dave...Texas IS a big state. Takes a long time to get across it.

 

[Dyna Bill]

JimmyK,
I shudder to think. They're gonna hear from me though when I ride my bike up to their front door and let them know I will not buy so much as quart of oil from them again.
I'm not going to name the shop, but it rhymes with Sleazyriders.

 

[Dyna Bill]

I forgot to add that this first shop had my bike for 2 weeks and all they did was change the cam sensor. Whether or not they REALLY changed the intake gasket, I don't know. The only time I heard from them to find out the progress on my bike is when I CALLED THEM. They had the bike for 5 days when I called them the first time and they asked me how to get the chrome electrical cover off so they could hook up their scanalyzer! After making 4 or five calls to them over the following week and getting "Oh, yeah, we were going to call you..." I had had enough.