Sticking Lifter problem solved?

[vangaans]

My 2015 Vaquero has a sticking lifter when left sitting for 2 days to a week or two, it has been like this from new and I've learnt it's nothing to be worried about.

I had a theory that the thinner warm oil was draining out of the right hand side lifter (that's where the tick, tick is coming from) when parking the bike on the side stand straight after a ride and I've been doing a little experiment. Upon returning from a ride I've been propping the bike upright with engine stands under the rear crash bars and waiting until the engine has completely cooled down and the oil is cold (and thicker) before resting the bike back on the side stand... and guess what... so far, no more sticking lifter!

I let it sit for a good 7 days but I'll keep testing and let you know if it comes back after longer stints on the side stand.

Oh, I also place the side stand on a piece of inch thick timber so that the bike's not leaning over so far when parked.

[ringadingh]

Let us know how it works out. If it is really hot where you are, perhaps you could switch to a heavier grade of oil, especially during the warm season, and see if that helps.

[Demolition Man]

changed to 20W-50 last oil change, no more ticking - even after 3 weeks on the side stand, without any waiting upright.

Cu,
Sven

[BobBear]

A week isn't long enough to sit. My bike has to sit for a couple of weeks before it begins the loud clacking again.

[VulcanD]

My driveway is on a hill. If I park up next to my garage with the front above the rear of the bike for maybe three nights in a row, the ticking stars. Always disappears after 10 minutes or so of riding, and doesn't seem to return if I park on a level surface. I ride every day, so I don't really know what would happen if I let her sit for days, but there is no doubt in my mind that parking on the hill is what causes the ticking.

I agree with what others have said--it must be oil running off the lifters.

Happy and safe riding,
Dan

[RACNRAY]

The 1700's DO NOT have "lifters" in the classic sense, such as a Detroit V8, Harleys or Indians.
The adjusters are located at the ends of the forked rocker arms and receive oil thru oil passages that are quite convoluted. The attitude of the bike while sitting does not affect oil flow or drainage. What can and usually causes an adjuster to "bleed down" is if the valves are being held open when the engine is shut down. Constant valve spring pressure against the adjusters may cause an adjuster to bleed down.

RACNRAY

[mbarr10]

I ride every day, so I don't really know what would happen if I let her sit for days,

yup. But Now It makes me think of stories I have read about My 1500 Classic. The Motor has an oil filter Screen hidden ( to Me) on the side of the motor. I have read stories of people finding all sorts of stuff when they remove it. Do we have one on the 1700 motor,(to lazy to look right now) Could "stuff" be inside causing some clogs that may be a circulation problem????

[redjay]

There are 2 screens on the 1700's and if there is stuff there then the screens are doing their job.

[VulcanD]

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

The 1700's DO NOT have "lifters" in the classic sense, such as a Detroit V8, Harleys or Indians.
The adjusters are located at the ends of the forked rocker arms and receive oil thru oil passages that are quite convoluted. The attitude of the bike while sitting does not affect oil flow or drainage. What can and usually causes an adjuster to "bleed down" is if the valves are being held open when the engine is shut down. Constant valve spring pressure against the adjusters may cause an adjuster to bleed down.

RACNRAY

Interesting. If I park on a hill in gear, would there be pressure applied to the "adjusters" that would cause the adjuster to bleed down?

Whatever causes it, parking on the hill causes the ticking to return. Nothing else I do seems to cause it.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by VulcanD

Interesting. If I park on a hill in gear, would there be pressure applied to the "adjusters" that would cause the adjuster to bleed down?

Whatever causes it, parking on the hill causes the ticking to return. Nothing else I do seems to cause it.

The ONLY thing that would cause a valve lash adjuster to "bleed down" is constant valve spring pressure when the engine is off. Or a bad adjuster.

RACNRAY

[Zeineth]

You guys talking about parking for weeks and the ticking happening. ;-)

I can start my Voyag at 7:30am and it purr perfectly, drive 25 minutes on the hwy at 80mph to work. Park and and 8 hours later come out start it up and it can start ticking like a banshee. Mine does it in the mornings and even after being parked for only a couple hours. Now not all the time, in fact i have not heard it in a couple weeks. Normally i hear it at least once per week.

[Zeineth]

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

The ONLY thing that would cause a valve lash adjuster to "bleed down" is constant valve spring pressure when the engine is off. Or a bad adjuster.

RACNRAY

Ray is there anything we can do to minimise this? Thicker oil, sea foam?? Anything other then tearing into the motor we can try?

[Buck Rogers]

Greetings...has anyone tried this stuff Motor kote
I've used it on other engines..that was noisy really seemed to help..

[MAS Tequila]

Originally Posted by Buck Rogers

Greetings...has anyone tried this stuff Motor kote
I've used it on other engines..that was noisy really seemed to help..

You are kidding, aren't you.

That shouldn't be used in a wet clutch.

[vangaans]

Whatever is happening technically I'm calling it solved for my bike. Ticking is gone!