[ucbruce]

Has anyone heard of a problem with the valve guide seals on 2005 88" Twin Cams? I have almost 42,000 miles and lately the oil pressure won't come up right away and the oil light stays on till it does. If they take the top end off the bike will they automatically replace the rings, especially with that kind of mileage? It seems a no brainer to me but I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[EZE RIDER]

Yes.

My buddy took the opportunity to go to a 95 kit because the valve stem seals were shot. Especially the back one and it was covered by his warranty. On his Ultra you can pop those plugs out and back in no time and he had to clean the back one every 100 miles or so. I'm not sure if it's a recall or not but it must be done. He only got 20,000 out of his. Good luck.

 

[CEYLON]

I have a 05. have 37K miles. no major problem, but has to clean spark plugs every 5k.
here some info

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/t...discussions/63946-05-oil-consumption-fix.html
http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/bigboyz-head-porting/78389-twin-cam-valve-seals-now-available.html
http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/t...7356-05-06-oil-consumption-fix-continued.html

 

[EZE RIDER]

I'm too lazy to read them right now. Whats your opinion on it Ceylon?

 

[CEYLON]

I'm too lazy to read them right now. Whats your opinion on it Ceylon?

In 05 and early 06 HD used a thin valve seals. need to replace with thicker and better seals.

 

[Vettster]

Correct me if I am wrong.
But, I don't think the valve seals should make a difference in oil pressure.

 

[2005UltraNC]

No, valve stem seals should no impact oil pressure (i.e. they're in the top end). These are a known problem on 05 models. No need to replace the rings when taking off the heads. At 42K, might be a good idea. Personally, I would have the cylinder's bored to 95" and flat tops. Should be like $250-300 in parts.

 

[Vettster]

No, valve stem seals should no impact oil pressure (i.e. they're in the top end). These are a known problem on 05 models. No need to replace the rings when taking off the heads. At 42K, might be a good idea. Personally, I would have the cylinder's bored to 95" and flat tops. Should be like $250-300 in parts.

I agree. I was referring to the original post.
(He is asking about oil pressure)

Ride Free, Ride Safe,
Vettster

 

[jtrickey]

I have 2005 FLHT and it burns about a quart of oil every 700 to 800 miles. Have been told by numerous HD dealers that the valve guides in the 05 are bad but there is nothing HD will do. I have rode for 30 years and this is first HD and I love it but the HD company is one sorry bunch of people. I will keep this one and rebuild as I will never buy another HD. I guess that is why they now have to advertise to sell new bikes. You would think they would recall the valve guides and correct their mistake.

 

[KBOlsen]

Take off your rocker box cover and see if the seals are black or orange.

The orange ones are much better. The black ones are the ones that fail.

 

[Hawkmann]

Had mine changed at 25,000 miles as to oil consumption on my 05 RK.

 

[Kainam]

I have 2005 FLHT and it burns about a quart of oil every 700 to 800 miles. Have been told by numerous HD dealers that the valve guides in the 05 are bad but there is nothing HD will do. I have rode for 30 years and this is first HD and I love it but the HD company is one sorry bunch of people. I will keep this one and rebuild as I will never buy another HD. I guess that is why they now have to advertise to sell new bikes. You would think they would recall the valve guides and correct their mistake.

Its not the valve guides that are bad, its the valve guide seals that are bad. Many '05 owners have had theirs replaced under warranty. There was a TSB dated August 10, 2005 that addressed this issue.

August 10, 2005
Valve Seal Updates
• 2005 models and early production 2006 vehicles use a one-piece valve seal and
lower spring seat design (p/n 18094-02) that can cause oil leakage between the
guide and the seal when side loaded or miss-installed. These can be identified by
the silver seal ring and black rubber material.
• A new version one-piece valve seal and lower spring seat design (p/n 18094-02A) is
being implemented into service parts to improve sealing properties and minimize
installation issues.
• The first batch of this new seal can be identified by a green seal ring as shown
below. Towards the end of the month 18094-02A seal kits will change to an orange
colored rubber material to improve visual identification of the new parts.
• Twin Cam 88/88B production will be moving to this design in the near future with
middle-weight powertrain and service parts to follow shortly thereafter.
• Please utilize this new design during any future top end services.
Warranty and Service Procedures
• Any individual 18094-02 valve seals in your inventory may be used on Middle-Weight
Powertrain repairs.
• Current engine gasket kits may be used on 2004 - 2006 Sportster and 2003 - 2006
Buell engines.
• Current gasket kits (top end p/n 17052-99B and engine p/n 17053-99A) may also be
used on 2004 and earlier Twin Cam 88/88B engines without any special steps.
• When using current gasket kits (top end p/n 17052-99B and engine p/n 17053-99A) on
2005 and 2006 Twin Cam 88/88B models discard the 18094-02 valve seals included
and use part number 18094-02A in their place, and the included seal protector during
installation.
• For warranty repairs that involve the use of these engine gasket kits (p/n 17052-99B &
17053-99A), you may also claim 1 valve seal kit p/n 18094-02A as part of the repair.
These additional parts will only be allowed on MC warranty claims filed against your
existing inventory of gasket kits used to repair 2005-2006 Big Twins.
• Future kits will have the new valve seals included so additional parts should not be listed
on warranty claims.

Valve guide seals run ~$20 for a set of 4.