Forum

[John J]

Hi Rustyman, I know we are on the same site ,but the examples of faulty bikes appals me. I have a 2008 Classic with no problems that I can't fix. Would not consider an efi or electric start Enfield. Although if you want spokes not much choice is there?

[trevorch]

Thanks for the encouragement and the scary bits. I have 21 months on the warranty and 2,000 reliable km on the clock. The noise is not more or less, but annoying. I found 7 other EFI owners on the Swiss RE club, out of 160 others, so I am hoping to meet up for a comparison sooner or later. I will not accept that it must be so noisy but with patience either the dealer or I will get sorted. Never give up, otherwise I love the bike. Cheers Trevor

[bikerbill]

Don't be too concerned Trevor - there are several owners on the U.S. forum who also have noisy efi bikes. It doesn't seem to affect the running, but its cause remains a mystery. But it certainly shouldn't be happening.
I still love mine, it's a joy to ride, but RE at Chennai have a LONG LONG way to go to match Jap build quality & quality control. My 9 year old W650 is in better shape than my 2 year old EFI Enfield......

[ROCKER 59]

It is under warranty, take it back, if the engine is noisy there is something wrong with it.

[trevorch]

Almost a postscript : Advice on lubrication for EFI, in Europe, recommends semi-synthetic 15W/50 (with detergent) especially for benefit of hydraulic tappets. I have switched to 15W/40, but wonder whether 15W/50 would actually be better; higher summer viscosity performs better in the hydraulic tappet circuit?. Any views?
Cheers Trevor

[ROCKER 59]

The difference in the two viscosities Would not make that much difference, Hydraulic tappets should be quiet arter a few seconds when engine is started, if they are not there is either a problem with the tappets themselves or an oil/feed problem, Take it back, no brainer.

[rog]

Trevor, my B5 EFI's tappets make some noise, but I'm not convinced hydraulic tappets should necessarily be completely silent. I reckon that providing they are not significantly noisier than an older Bullet, and they don't progressively get worse, what's the problem? With a long warranty I plan to see how things develop before I invite a dealer to rip the darn thing apart.

[ROCKER 59]

Hydraulic tappets working correctly are silent, if they are making a noise then they are not working as they are intended.

[Alan R]

Hi guys------------ this might help a bit ??--------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lorANZ1Tptw. I'm not familiar with the Enfield's particular design but have experiences elswhere. Initial start-up might well give a slight rattle until pressurised oil fills the lifters--- after which the units themselves should be quiet BUT is there a rocker arm in the design ?? Is there anyway the lifters can be temporarily locked mechanically to by-pass ( or replicate ) them ?? Thus showing if the noise lies there or elsewhere. From some on-line research it would appear that they can be sensitive to oil spec. & viscosity. Personally I hate the damm things, more trouble than they are worth, cost more to make than a rocker arm assy. & adds complexity to an engine that, in this case doesn't warrant the effort.

[Alan R]

Hello again TREVORCH,---------- having done some design research and slept on this one overnight here's an idea to consider. I'm aware that your bike is under Warranty so this might be better on one not now covered but is there any way that the lifters can be replaced by pushrods with manual adjusters ? Perhaps there's a potential after-market mod. here for MrH & Co ? The oil supply to the lifters would have to be blanked-off but given it appears to be a design thing (yet again !!) might be worth the time ? NORM, LES H,& all---- any thoughts ??