2004 FLSTF Piston Failure
Sunday October 02nd 2005, 12:35 am
Filed under: Harley-Davidson
Filed under: Harley-Davidson
Here are the flywheels, piston and cylinder from a 2004 FLSTF - the owner claimed it “just quit running” so he called for a tow.
Good idea, I think.
These connecting rods are normally straight. This is not good.
Another view of the same rod. This is not normal
Umm, this pile of scrap metal used to be one of two 95″ big bore flat top pistons.
It’s a good thing the owner had the beautiful diamond cutting done before the motor blew up with just 15 miles on it. Any guesses what caused the failure? Let me know privately what YOU think caused this catastrophic engine failure, or comment publicly on this post below.
That’s pretty cool. How far did the guy ride it with the cylinder clanging?
Comment by Administrator 10.02.05 @ 12:58 amReversed plug wires? Shit octane gas with decked-down heads? Trying to do a wheelie (with less than 15 miles on the engine)? Velo-stacks sucked in a nice big rock/bird? Oil plug was loose and the oil drained? That’s all I can think of offhand
Comment by boinger 10.02.05 @ 9:12 pm> Reversed plug wires?
Nope.
> Shit octane gas with decked-down heads?
Nope
> Trying to do a wheelie (with less than 15 miles on the engine)?
Nope
> Velo-stacks sucked in a nice big rock/bird?
Nope
> Oil plug was loose and the oil drained?
Nope
All good guesses. Anyone else?
Comment by Administrator 10.03.05 @ 9:49 am1st guess. Cylinder flooded with oil. He dropped it and it layed a while cause he couldn’t pick it up w/o help.
2nd guess. Dropped a valve or valve and guide.
Comment by Doug 08.08.06 @ 10:13 pmNope. Good guesses though. I have a theory on what happened, but I don’t think what happened has been guessed yet.
Chris
Comment by Administrator 08.08.06 @ 10:17 pm1.No or lost prime in oil filter.. Cavitating.
2. Oil lines reversed
Comment by Bob 08.26.06 @ 12:15 pmBob, no, none of those things happened. It had oil pressure at the beginning after assembly and up to the last revolution. It had oil pressure in the shop, too, after the failure.
–Chris
Comment by Administrator 08.26.06 @ 4:21 pmDetonation!!! probably running too lean and/or too much advance
Comment by Davidcar 04.06.07 @ 6:57 pmseeing as I don’t see any semblance of a wrist pin bearing in the picture, I’m guessing bearing or wrist pin keeper popped out.
Comment by Shawn 05.04.08 @ 8:17 pmShawn, I think you have it. While there are not normally wrist pin bearings on a H-D rod, I think you’re correct about the wrist pin keeper popping out. One popped out, the pin slid over and the piston started running canted in the bore. Good call.
–Chris
Comment by Administrator 05.04.08 @ 10:44 pmLeave a comment
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