EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise

THE BOGGER · May 22nd, 2009, 02:12 PM

1997 Ultra Classic with EVO 80 CI, Just turned 30,000 miles

Seems that when the engine is hot there is a strange noise (rattle ) coming from the top of engine rocker box. Now I run synthetic Oil Royal Purple 20W-50W. When the oil is hot this seems to be the problem, Symptomatic of thinning oil viscosity, but once up to 3,000 rpm the noise is gone. It seems to start at 2500-2800 rpm.

Anyone having this problem or having heard of it please chime in. We would love to solve the riddle of the rattle.

Thank You

The Bogger

glider · May 22nd, 2009, 02:31 PM

I would start by changing to a different oil. RP isn't a bad oil but it isn't on top of the list IMO anyway. Not much to loose here other than a few quarts of oil. Sure it's not pinging?

THE BOGGER · May 22nd, 2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glider

I would start by changing to a different oil. RP isn't a bad oil but it isn't on top of the list IMO anyway. Not much to loose here other than a few quarts of oil. Sure it's not pinging?

No, it is not a Pinging noise. That would be at a much lower RPM. I am going to change the oil this weekend trying the MOBIL 1 M/C oil.
Thank You, I am looking into the components of the top rocker boxes, maybe something is worn out and only shows the rattle at certain rpms.

BOGGER

NEWHD74FAN · May 23rd, 2009, 01:22 AM

Just for curiosity, did you check the oil during your last change, was there anythng unusual or odd in the crankcase oil drainings, more metal bits then usual caught by the oil plug magnet? May want to verify oil pressure, oil pump is working okay. Might have to look under the rocker covers. Was there any circumstances or maintenance done before this problem started to appear?

cowboywildbill · May 23rd, 2009, 10:45 PM

Does it have a stock cam? I've seen the adjustable pushrods loosen up and or sometimes not tightened at the right length to start with. It wouldn't surprise me if it was the oil and a hot day. They do make some valve train noise especially when they get hot. Sometimes the primary chain can get a little lose and make some noise at different RPM's, although usually it will slap when you roll the throttle back and forth in gear loading and unloading the drive train. Let us know what you find. Good Luck.

gearjamster · May 25th, 2009, 10:18 AM

Rocker bushings sounds like to me did it to my softail worked great after

Bubbaglide · May 30th, 2009, 03:28 PM

Mine make some noise as well. after replacing the primary chain, adding an auto adjuster, new Jims big axle tappets, new Riveira Taper lite pushrods, new Andrews EV23 cam with the improved bearing, tightening up everything under the sun and checking the rokcers and replacing the bushings, the noise is still there. My wrench says, "It's an EVO, it makes noise, ride it until it quits" At 150k miles, it still runs strong

Let me know what you find out.

Bubba

wTXr · Jun 3rd, 2009, 06:51 PM

After a new cam change and rule of thumb is if it whines the drive pinion (on crank) is too big (BAD). If it clatters like tappet noise the pioion is too small (annoying). Adjust as needed. Refer to Andrews Cam site for more.

Scrappy · Jun 3rd, 2009, 09:31 PM

i have the same rattle on my evo. im thinking it might just be a heat shield though? havent really looked into it much. ive heard when they stop making strange noises, then worry.

Log Hog Kust'em · Jun 4th, 2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbaglide

Mine make some noise as well. after replacing the primary chain, adding an auto adjuster, new Jims big axle tappets, new Riveira Taper lite pushrods, new Andrews EV23 cam with the improved bearing, tightening up everything under the sun and checking the rokcers and replacing the bushings, the noise is still there. My wrench says, "It's an EVO, it makes noise, ride it until it quits" At 150k miles, it still runs strong

Let me know what you find out.

Bubba

Exactly the same as mine except I also had Wisco pistons and S&S oil pump still had the noise.

May 22nd, 2009, 02:12 PM	#1
THE BOGGER New Family Ride: 1997 FLHTCUI Join Date: Mar 10th, 2009 Location: LONG ISLAND NEW YORK Posts: 8	EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise 1997 Ultra Classic with EVO 80 CI, Just turned 30,000 miles Seems that when the engine is hot there is a strange noise (rattle ) coming from the top of engine rocker box. Now I run synthetic Oil Royal Purple 20W-50W. When the oil is hot this seems to be the problem, Symptomatic of thinning oil viscosity, but once up to 3,000 rpm the noise is gone. It seems to start at 2500-2800 rpm. Anyone having this problem or having heard of it please chime in. We would love to solve the riddle of the rattle. Thank You The Bogger

May 22nd, 2009, 02:31 PM	#2
glider Community Liaison Ride: 07 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 21st, 2007 Posts: 20,470 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise I would start by changing to a different oil. RP isn't a bad oil but it isn't on top of the list IMO anyway. Not much to loose here other than a few quarts of oil. Sure it's not pinging? __________________ Psssst! Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. click me!>>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

May 23rd, 2009, 01:22 AM	#4
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,716 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise Just for curiosity, did you check the oil during your last change, was there anythng unusual or odd in the crankcase oil drainings, more metal bits then usual caught by the oil plug magnet? May want to verify oil pressure, oil pump is working okay. Might have to look under the rocker covers. Was there any circumstances or maintenance done before this problem started to appear? __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

May 23rd, 2009, 10:45 PM	#5
cowboywildbill Contributor$ Ride: 2004 FLHTP Join Date: May 5th, 2009 Location: Rocky Ridge Frederick County, Md. Posts: 110 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise Does it have a stock cam? I've seen the adjustable pushrods loosen up and or sometimes not tightened at the right length to start with. It wouldn't surprise me if it was the oil and a hot day. They do make some valve train noise especially when they get hot. Sometimes the primary chain can get a little lose and make some noise at different RPM's, although usually it will slap when you roll the throttle back and forth in gear loading and unloading the drive train. Let us know what you find. Good Luck.

May 25th, 2009, 10:18 AM	#6
gearjamster Start The Engine Ride: 09 FLHX Join Date: May 12th, 2009 Location: northern Alberta Posts: 27 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise Rocker bushings sounds like to me did it to my softail worked great after

May 30th, 2009, 03:28 PM	#7
Bubbaglide Warming The Wheels Ride: 1995 Ultra Classic Join Date: Oct 3rd, 2008 Location: Lancaster, SC Posts: 65 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise Mine make some noise as well. after replacing the primary chain, adding an auto adjuster, new Jims big axle tappets, new Riveira Taper lite pushrods, new Andrews EV23 cam with the improved bearing, tightening up everything under the sun and checking the rokcers and replacing the bushings, the noise is still there. My wrench says, "It's an EVO, it makes noise, ride it until it quits" At 150k miles, it still runs strong Let me know what you find out. Bubba

Jun 3rd, 2009, 06:51 PM	#8
wTXr New Family Ride: 1986 FLTC Join Date: Jun 3rd, 2009 Location: West Texas Posts: 8 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise After a new cam change and rule of thumb is if it whines the drive pinion (on crank) is too big (BAD). If it clatters like tappet noise the pioion is too small (annoying). Adjust as needed. Refer to Andrews Cam site for more.

Jun 3rd, 2009, 09:31 PM	#9
Scrappy Contributor$ Ride: 98 Classic Join Date: Jun 1st, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 73 My Mood:	Re: EVO MOTOR 2500 RPM Rocker BOX Rattling Noise i have the same rattle on my evo. im thinking it might just be a heat shield though? havent really looked into it much. ive heard when they stop making strange noises, then worry.

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