VALVE CLATTER

[ohiojack]

Hi all, I've been wondering, my 12 has a fair amount of valve clatter when the engine is cold.When it is at running temp it goes away. It sounds like the lifters are ticking. Yes it does have exactly 3 guarts 22 oz of oil and oil was changed about 2000 miles ago. i haven't check the carb synch yet, thats on my winter maintance list. Any ideas?? ohiojack

[SgtSlag]

Are you running the proper viscosity oil? I ran full synthetic 5W-40 for a year, and I started having clutch issues, along with some noise in the engine. Switched to conventional 15W-40, and the issues disappeared (both were Shell Rotella oils). Just a simple thing to try. Cheers!

[voyager55]

These bikes have a lot of engine noise. As long as you're up on maintenance, I wouldn't worry about it.

[ohiojack]

Yeah I forgot to mention that I also use rotella 15w40 oil. I realize that maybe the oil is getting close to a oil change.

[Lucasind]

I remember someone making a similar post a few years back......I was not aware that a OEM replacement set of lifters for these machines is between $1200 and $1300 bucks ! I agree with 55 just do your scheduled maintenance , and just keep riding it ,and trying some home remidies, don't worry about something that you LIKELY will not not do anything about anyway, .........................Tony

[cranky]

Yeah I forgot to mention that I also use rotella 15w40 oil. I realize that maybe the oil is getting close to a oil change.

.... at the risk of tickelating the Rotella Gods.... I'd give a try with Mobil 1 15x50 and see if it takes care of your
rattles... I get 5 qts at Wallyworld while on sale and think it's comparable in price with
any good oil... IIRC, the last quote I saw was a tad < 22 bucks.... yeah, sale...
and I really DO suggest Ya give it a try! Just the tad thicker oil might quiet it down..... JM2C

[Mr Jensee]

Next oil change put in 3 oz less oil and add 3 oz of Seafoam to the oil. The chatter you hear may be sticky lifters and Seafoam will clean that up.