Sticky lifters...bugging me

sgoyette · 11-10-2013, 09:19 PM

So my 2012 Voyager has 6800 kms and has starting to have sticky lifters until it's good and warmed up. Took it into a local shop to make sure it wasn't anything else and all is good. The question is if there's anything I can do to help or is this just the way it's gonna be for this bike?

Let's be clear...it's not bugging me enough to trade the bike...damn I love this bike. It's just my baby and I loved the way she used to sound when she started up.

Steve

highwayman2011 · 11-11-2013, 09:07 AM

What oil are you using? A higher viscosity oil would take longer to pump up the lifters.

sgoyette · 11-11-2013, 12:10 PM

I'm using Motul 5100 (10W40). It's a semi-synthetic though I just had the gear indicator fixed under warranty so I suspect the dealer replaced that with non-synthetic...likely 10W40 though. Should I go with something a little thinner? 5W40 or something similar?

redjay · 11-11-2013, 06:22 PM

I use the Kawasaki 10w40 mineral oil and the Kawasaki oil filter and have never had a problem with noisy lifters. Even after the bike sits for 6 months over winter, no lifter noise at start up in the Spring.

highwayman2011 · 11-13-2013, 04:58 AM

They call for 10w40 so you're fine there but a 5w40 would flow a little better at start up.

ta-kid · 12-01-2013, 04:19 PM

So did going to the 5-40 oil cure the issue?

**ringadingh** · 12-01-2013, 11:23 PM

Add some Seafoam to the oil and go for a good long ride on the interstate then see if that cleans things up, it should help.

ta-kid · 12-02-2013, 02:29 PM

Going for a 10 minute ride usually pumps up the litters.The issue is if the bike sits for more then 48 hrs,when u first start it they are noisy and leaked down again.Sea foam may help if you are use to running dirty oil and the lifter orifaces are plugged but will 5-40 pump them up cold right away?

11-10-2013, 09:19 PM	#1
sgoyette Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Maple Ridge, BC Posts: 49	Sticky lifters question.... So my 2012 Voyager has 6800 kms and has starting to have sticky lifters until it's good and warmed up. Took it into a local shop to make sure it wasn't anything else and all is good. The question is if there's anything I can do to help or is this just the way it's gonna be for this bike? Let's be clear...it's not bugging me enough to trade the bike...damn I love this bike. It's just my baby and I loved the way she used to sound when she started up. Steve __________________ Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by sgoyette; 11-10-2013 at 11:46 PM.
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11-11-2013, 09:07 AM	#2
highwayman2011 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N Las Vegas, NV Posts: 364	What oil are you using? A higher viscosity oil would take longer to pump up the lifters. __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager
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11-11-2013, 12:10 PM	#3
sgoyette Jr. Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Maple Ridge, BC Posts: 49	I'm using Motul 5100 (10W40). It's a semi-synthetic though I just had the gear indicator fixed under warranty so I suspect the dealer replaced that with non-synthetic...likely 10W40 though. Should I go with something a little thinner? 5W40 or something similar? __________________
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11-13-2013, 04:58 AM	#5
highwayman2011 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: N Las Vegas, NV Posts: 364	They call for 10w40 so you're fine there but a 5w40 would flow a little better at start up. __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by highwayman2011; 11-13-2013 at 05:00 AM.
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12-01-2013, 11:23 PM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Add some Seafoam to the oil and go for a good long ride on the interstate then see if that cleans things up, it should help. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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11-11-2013, 06:22 PM	#4
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,945	I use the Kawasaki 10w40 mineral oil and the Kawasaki oil filter and have never had a problem with noisy lifters. Even after the bike sits for 6 months over winter, no lifter noise at start up in the Spring.
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12-01-2013, 04:19 PM	#6
ta-kid Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 68	So did going to the 5-40 oil cure the issue?
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12-02-2013, 02:29 PM	#8
ta-kid Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 68	Going for a 10 minute ride usually pumps up the litters.The issue is if the bike sits for more then 48 hrs,when u first start it they are noisy and leaked down again.Sea foam may help if you are use to running dirty oil and the lifter orifaces are plugged but will 5-40 pump them up cold right away?
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