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Is this Compensator problem?

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  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    I have a late 2006 FXSTC and when it is hot ,as in just ridden, and I turn it off, it spits back a couple of times on start up before it actually starts. It is getting worse and never does it cold. Can ride all day , no problem, but restart after stopping for fuel and it spits back real nasty. Certainly gets everyones attention at the servo.
    Going to change Compensator as that was what some of the Yank Harley sites say, but has become very expensive proposition as the parts price nearly doubled in 12months since a mate changed his when it blew apart & siezed his motor. I don't want that happening to mine. Would appreciate any experience or feedback from others. Real stuff rather than guesses.
  • 408
    408
    1 year ago
    You haven't mentioned any engine modifications.
    If you have adjustable pushrods, put some travel limiters in the lifters and adjust them off the bottom.
    When stopped/parked, valve spring pressure causes lifters to bleed down on open valves and valve timing is affected on start up.
    Solved the hard starting problem on my 09 110 fatbob.
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    1 year ago
    Tuned? Cams?
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    It is a 96 & has Andrews 35H Cams with +4degree advancer sprocket, Sonic slash cuts, k&n Hiflow air filter, o2 sensors eliminated, 100%throttle full custom Power Commander Map. Dynoed Power 84 Torque 94.15.
    It was done a few years back (4) when I bought it with only a few thousand km on it. Have done 35000 on it and it has gone great until last few months. Run it on 98 octane or 95 if not available. Does that give you any thoughts. 

  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Only happens on hot starts

  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    1 year ago
    Sometimes tunes can drift over time if something changes and the system self learns to a degree, flash your tuned cal back in, it will clear fuel trims etc, see if it makes any difference.

    Don't discount what 408 said about lifters bleeding down, do you hear a tick after a hot start?
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    1 year ago
    Quoting Lozz on 05 Sep 2023 01:57 AM

    I have a late 2006 FXSTC and when it is hot ,as in just ridden, and I turn it off, it spits back a couple of times on start up before it actually starts. It is getting worse and never does it cold. Can ride all day , no problem, but restart after stopping for fuel and it spits back real nasty. Certainly gets everyones attention at the servo.

    Going to change Compensator as that was what some of the Yank Harley sites say, but has become very expensive proposition as the parts price nearly doubled in 12months since a mate changed his when it blew apart & siezed his motor. I don't want that happening to mine. Would appreciate any experience or feedback from others. Real stuff rather than guesses.

    Lozz my Street Glide did a similar thing and after doing the Compensator it stopped. There was more of a clunk when it turned over from start. A screaming budgie replacement did fix it but now needs a 3rd replacement after 80k in total from new.  Good luck with it all
  • WideglidingNZ
    WideglidingNZ
    1 year ago
    can you go aftermarket with the compensator ramp? I know stronger billet ones are made for the M8's
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    1 year ago
    There are a few aftermarket ones but for no other reasons stuck with S/e. There was a kit that completely did away with the compensator.
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Quoting Lozz on 05 Sep 2023 01:57 AM

    I have a late 2006 FXSTC and when it is hot ,as in just ridden, and I turn it off, it spits back a couple of times on start up before it actually starts. It is getting worse and never does it cold. Can ride all day , no problem, but restart after stopping for fuel and it spits back real nasty. Certainly gets everyones attention at the servo.

    Going to change Compensator as that was what some of the Yank Harley sites say, but has become very expensive proposition as the parts price nearly doubled in 12months since a mate changed his when it blew apart & siezed his motor. I don't want that happening to mine. Would appreciate any experience or feedback from others. Real stuff rather than guesses.

    Quoting paulybronco on 05 Sep 2023 10:02 AM

    Lozz my Street Glide did a similar thing and after doing the Compensator it stopped. There was more of a clunk when it turned over from start. A screaming budgie replacement did fix it but now needs a 3rd replacement after 80k in total from new.  Good luck with it all

    Thanks, it is more common than I thought. I had a Streetbob that I did nearly 90000 on & it was never a problem. Obviously you had same symptoms
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Quoting Grease Monkey on 05 Sep 2023 09:47 AMedited: 05 Sep 2023 09:49 AM

    Sometimes tunes can drift over time if something changes and the system self learns to a degree, flash your tuned cal back in, it will clear fuel trims etc, see if it makes any difference.


    Don't discount what 408 said about lifters bleeding down, do you hear a tick after a hot start?

    Will have tune looked at. No noticable tick
  • Neale
    Neale
    1 year ago
    A sign that your compensator is on its way out is that when you turn your ignition off you will get a clunking sound off it,( the compensator).
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Bike has been in bits for weeks now, awaiting parts. Screaming Eagle compensator & new rotor . Harley are so slow with parts, so I have nothing to tell you re it fixing dodgy start ups yet. Lucky I have another bike to ride but am missing the Harley.
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    1 year ago
    Sometimes its easier to import the parts yourself and get a indy to do the job for you if aren't confident doing it.
  • 408
    408
    1 year ago
    Quoting Lozz on 07 Oct 2023 03:05 AM

    Bike has been in bits for weeks now, awaiting parts. Screaming Eagle compensator & new rotor . Harley are so slow with parts, so I have nothing to tell you re it fixing dodgy start ups yet. Lucky I have another bike to ride but am missing the Harley.


    Did you check the compensator for wear ?
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Only visually. The lobes looked worn & the wave washers had a lot of movement when compressed. I don't know what to measure & have made an assumption on what I saw & based on the symptoms as per others experience. Good friend had the rotor shell, holding washers, break up & pieces jammed up his primary, resulting in total lock up. Lucky he was just off idle when it happened. Same model, similar km..
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Pauly Bronco, you are right. Should have imported it myself. Compensator is Screaming Eagle & Rotor stock Harley. Just Waiting now.
     
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    1 year ago
    Loz if you jump over to Harley Tech Talk, go to the Twin Cam section, up the top is a Stickies link, in there you will find the link to "14+ compensator spring preload check".
    Well worth the read.
  • Lushy
    Lushy
    1 year ago
    35H cam??? 
  • Lozz
    Lozz
    1 year ago
    Well new Screaming Eagle compensator is fitted & my Harley is starting great every time, hot or cold. The new compensator is so much more robust than the original one and it is hard to explain but the power feels more direct now especially  between rolling on & rolling off throttle. An expensive little exercise but huge peace of mind when starting, especially when motor is hot. My friend Andy & I replaced it & was a learning curve for us both. Thanks to all those that offered advice, I do appreciate it
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