Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 Ticking Sound

Question 2012 FLTRU Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 ticking sound starts on cold start up (21,000 miles). It seems to go away after engine is warm. Bike still under warranty and dealer is suggesting carbon build up in head, wants to tear down engine. Not comfortable with that procedure. Bike runs great. Anything else that can be done, such as RingFree or Sea Foam? Have you heard of this problem, with the 103 engines? Thank You, G

Answer G, the ticking you hear @ cold start is more likely being caused by a weak hydraulic lifter. A lifter may be bleeding down when the m/c is not running. The sound goes away when the motor rebuilds oil pressure in the lifter. If there was carbon build up on your valves, the ticking usually lingers even after the m/c is @ running temp.



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29 Responses to “Harley Davidson Twin Cam 103 Ticking Sound”

  1. mike dinkel

    2005 Dyna superglide with the screaming eagle motor. Has tap at the top end, have replaced the lifters and pushrods (still has tap) oil pressure at startup is around 45 psi, bike has 44000 on odometer. Any ideas?

  2. Michael ponder

    I have a motor ticking in my 103 Harley motor even after it’s warmed up. Any suggestions. Sounds like it might be carbon buildup.

  3. Rod George

    Sounds like a hight pitch fan winding down when I let off the throttle at different speeds. It's a 2010 FLHTK with over 103 thousand miles, any advice what it might be?

  4. don sheckler

    My 1st time buying a twin cam engine. I've had evo's for over 300,000 miles and shovels before that i'm looking at a 2011 103" road king classic with 32000 miles. Any concerns or suggestions would be appreciated. I've heard all the stories about cam chain tensioners and have held off for quite a while but need to step up thx

  5. J. D.

    I bought a new 2012 Ultra Classic with the 103 motor and it ticked loud on cold start-up when temp. outside was at 60 degrees or colder. It only ticked for a couple seconds and stopped. When temp. was warmer it didn't make any loud ticking noise on start-up. Dealer couldn't find any problem with motor. I ran 93 octane gas and used H-D synthetic oil. I believe it could have been a weak lifter but why it only did this when temp. was cooler, I couldn't figure out. Strange. I traded the 2012 in with 17000 miles on it for a new 2014 Ultra Limited with a 103 twin cooled motor and this bike has never made any loud ticking on cold mornings. Good to know I am not the only one who heard this noise with the 2012 and the 103 motor.

  6. tim

    I would not worry about the ticking once I relaxed and realized it was part of the design I have enjoyed the bike immensely

  7. r.loewe333

    I am haveing same issuea

  8. John

    <strong> Ticket 18340 I had a HD SE 110 Kit installed n my 2013 Super Glide Custom at 11k miles. At my recent 50k service, the dreaded metal particles were on the drain plug. Changed oil after1 &amp; 2k and more metal shavings. Dealer is hearing a noise coming from the motor. Dealer made a comment 'that getting 40k was good'.. Any feed back on the S E 110 kits? Is the lifespan of a kit really about 40k?

  9. David Bearden

    2014 triglide 103 h.o. engine has developed a clatter, do not notice when idle, but when throttle up thru the gears and when I throttle up during regular riding. Has just started within the last month, bike has 21k miles and just a 3 hole fluid change still doing it. Dealership says it might be the flapper valve in intake?? But they said does not seem like it is internal. Sounds like valve clatter or an exhaust leak, but everything is tight.

  10. cory

    I just bought a 2012 street glide with 25k miles The first 15 miles she ran quite. It then developed a ticking noise that's gotten louder. It starts after about 7 miles down the road. I can shut it off for 15 min. Start it back up, no noise 2 miles down the road its back. Its louder than the " Harley tick ". Thoughts ?