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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through April 19, 2011 » Screeching noise resolved « Previous Next »

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Triman023
Posted on Saturday, April 02, 2011 - 11:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Now I know what the noise was, a blown head gasket.
Thanks to all who gave advise in my last post, goes to show how difficult it is to diagnose problems long distance!
I also would like to clear up a misconception. When I brought my bike in to the dealer (Glendale Harley) I felt that I got a cold reception and that they didn't want to work on my S2T due to its age and Buelishness. After some talking I realised that they are reluctant to get involved in a situation where the bike is older and has a problem that is hard to diagnose. A lot of parts can get replaced without solving the problem. My problem resolved itself due to the gasket failing as we started the bike, I could see exhaust coming out the side of the cylinder.
At that point we had a straightforward repair job ahead. Lee, the service rep ordered the parts and scheduled the Buell tech to replace the all the gaskets for both cylinders plus the isolators. They had all the parts in a week and it took another week to get the work done. When I came by to see if the parts were in I saw them working on the Buell race bike they own. Lee told me that they have so many Buells to work on that they had to hire another tech.
I got a call today saying that my bike is done and they are washing it. Will let you all know how it rides when I pick it up on Tuesday.

I thought hard about doing this myself, but decided that there are a few things involved that I don't feel confidant enough to do yet.

So here is a dealer that still has the Buell sign up.
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Langperf
Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2011 - 07:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm glad they got you taken care of.

A blown head gasket isn't hard to diagnose on a Harley motor. On the rear bank of a V6 Camry maybe, but a Harley...no. These bikes' don't take a rocket scientist to fix or work on...they're pretty straight forward to diagnose and repair as far as motor vehicles are concerned. The problem as you stated and the service manager probably conveyed to you is that most of these so called "techs" aren't technicians at all they're parts replacers. They'll take 15min to try and diagnose a problem then start throwing parts at it in hopes of fixing it. They get paid the same amount to bolt on a set of chrome and do an oil change (both pretty much brainless actions) as they do to properly diagnose a technical problem which takes logical methodical thinking and a good knowledge base to do. The root of this problem lies with the dealership pay system of "flat rate" for the mechanics which incentivises them to do work fast not good, push the bike out the door and move on to the next part replacement job. Until that culture changes it'll always be the same.
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Triman023
Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2011 - 06:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes , I agree about the parts replacers, time constraints can push mechanics in that direction. This noise only was happening when I slowed the bike down with engine braking. I thought it was a bad output shaft bearing. A friend rode it and thought the same thing. When it failed completely, I could see the exhaust coming out the side of the cylinder and a lot of noise. It is always better to give them a specific thing to do...
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Sunday, April 03, 2011 - 08:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Woah! That's weird!
I've heard them make a popping sound or just leak oil.
First I've heard of one whistling a tune for you.
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Triman023
Posted on Monday, April 04, 2011 - 01:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It was the fat lady singing...
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Triman023
Posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2011 - 06:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

OK Picked up the S2T today and found...the belt tight as a drum, tighter than a drum. I had called them to ask that the belt be adjusted to 2in unloaded. The Service rep wheeled it back and then said the mech told him it made the noise due to a loose belt. I explained the error in the manual on belt tension and wrecking of wheel bearings etc. And signed a waver taking responsibility for any damage caused by a loose belt. Then he asked me to check the belt tension in the shop. The tech said "it looks way too loose", I explained....etc etc. measured the tension and away I went.
The bike is running nicely, more power and a bit smoother with the new isolators. So I will now start putting some study into the manual so I can do this myself.
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