Anyone Have Problems With Clutch on New Generation DCT's

FRR

Oct 12, 2012
1,581
398
Batavia, OH
Name
Fred
I have another strange situation on my 2019 DCT. Now that I'm using Tour Mode and not Econ to ride around my area it appears I am. now using oil. I'm down a half a quart in 200 miles. No leaks, no blue smoke, nothing. A tech mentioned that my oil, " smelled like there might be a clutch issue" when I picked it back up after deciding to run in in Tour and not Econ. I can't figure what that even means. The noise I had previously has gone away and the engine doesn't sound any different but my oil level is decreasing. I'm checking the oil level daily. Dealer said if it is a clutch issue it will run $2400.00 just to pull the engine plus the repair. Just wondered if anyone on this site ever had an issue like this. Thanks
 
What weight oil are you putting in your bike?? The "good" book calls for 10-30 wht. This is just a suggestion (question) only

Ronnie
9/16/24
 
FRR said:
"My 2019 DCT has an issue, when engine is strained going up hills especially in Econ mode, makes a terrible sound on the left side of the engine. It isn't valves, but no one can figure out what is causing it. Doesn't loose power, just really sounds like the engine is going to explode. Dealer doesn't want to fool with it until December. Any good solid ideas. I can't even find anyone who had this happen. I've owned 10 Wings and never had an issue like this"

"Dealer said if it is a clutch issue it will run $2400.00 just to pull the engine plus the repair. Just wondered if anyone on this site ever had an issue like this. Thanks"



Fred,
Running in Tour or Economy mode should not have any affect on oil consumption, cause engine strain, or invoke terrible noises like the engine is going to explode. The dealer needs to investigate the cause and call Honda Tech Line for support if they cannot determine the source and fix for your issues.
 
FRR said:
"My 2019 DCT has an issue, when engine is strained going up hills especially in Econ mode, makes a terrible sound on the left side of the engine. It isn't valves, but no one can figure out what is causing it. Doesn't loose power, just really sounds like the engine is going to explode. Dealer doesn't want to fool with it until December. Any good solid ideas. I can't even find anyone who had this happen. I've owned 10 Wings and never had an issue like this"

"Dealer said if it is a clutch issue it will run $2400.00 just to pull the engine plus the repair. Just wondered if anyone on this site ever had an issue like this. Thanks"



Fred,
Running in Tour or Economy mode should not have any affect on oil consumption, cause engine strain, or invoke terrible noises like the engine is going to explode. The dealer needs to investigate the cause and call Honda Tech Line for support if they cannot determine the source and fix for your issues.
Papa, I'm going to ride it this Fall and if it doesn't get worse I'll try to live with it. Pulling the engine just to start is a ton of money, especially since they have no idea what is going on. I settled the oil issue and can't believe that with that engine size a trike kit would cause it to make noise. This dealer is the best service dept in the Cinci area and I don't want to commit to $2400.00 just to start to find out the problem. Can owners talk to the tech line, or only dealers?
 
So I take it no change after the initialization?
No change. Tomorrow I'm going to change the oil, filter, sync the tranny, and start all over. I've checked the oil level exactly as the owners manual states three different times and have gotten three different readings. There is something going on with that engine, or clutch or something. I've owned 10 wings, three of them triked and never had an issue like this.

As long as I don't push the bike or try to accelerate quickly up big hills it runs fine but something is wrong and I don't think spending $2400.00 just to pull the engine to search for an answer is productive. The sound on the left cylinder when stressed sounds just like my old chevy when I put cheap gas in it and it made noise..

I even had a tech tell me it may be because the trike kit was installed and it puts too much stress on the engine. That does not hold water in my book. I just know is wasn't that way for the first 25,000 miles and nothing I have tried or anyone I have spoken with has done anything of alleviate the issue
 
No change. Tomorrow I'm going to change the oil, filter, sync the tranny, and start all over. I've checked the oil level exactly as the owners manual states three different times and have gotten three different readings. There is something going on with that engine, or clutch or something. I've owned 10 wings, three of them triked and never had an issue like this.

As long as I don't push the bike or try to accelerate quickly up big hills it runs fine but something is wrong and I don't think spending $2400.00 just to pull the engine to search for an answer is productive. The sound on the left cylinder when stressed sounds just like my old chevy when I put cheap gas in it and it made noise..

I even had a tech tell me it may be because the trike kit was installed and it puts too much stress on the engine. That does not hold water in my book. I just know is wasn't that way for the first 25,000 miles and nothing I have tried or anyone I have spoken with has done anything of alleviate the issue
This is a true mystery. We can all agree it's not the trike kit. I have one more longshot idea. The oil level is dropping but there is no sign of oil leaks or oil burning. There is a chance that a blown head gasket is letting oil mix with the coolant. The only problem with this theory is when this happens, usually coolant mixes with the oil as well and that is not the case here. Please let us know when you find the true answer to this one.
 
This is a true mystery. We can all agree it's not the trike kit. I have one more longshot idea. The oil level is dropping but there is no sign of oil leaks or oil burning. There is a chance that a blown head gasket is letting oil mix with the coolant. The only problem with this theory is when this happens, usually coolant mixes with the oil as well and that is not the case here. Please let us know when you find the true answer to this one.
I appreciate you comments. But I think I have eliminated one issue. I will never trust my oil level to checking the oil. I drained the oil and filter today and started over. I am lucky I didn't blow a seal. I had nearly 6 qts in there. I put the 4.9 qts in, synced the tranny again and rode it all day. Most of the tine in Tour mode. Other than the rattled when the engine is really under stress the bike is running like a dream. I'm manually gearing down when I hit a big hill at a slower speed and I guess I'll t ry to live with it. Unless Papa Zook has a brainstorm I guess I'll live with it unless it gets worse. If anyone else has an idea, I'm sure open to hear. it. Thanks to you all
 
I know nothing about the Wings, but I was curious about your post and have been perusing several posts on 6th Gen GL1800 forums.

Sounds to me what you are describing is detonating/spark knock/pinging or whatever you want to call it. It’s usually more pronounced at lower rpm’s under moderate to full throttle loads.

They describe it as a common issue once they get some miles on the bike, especially on the DCT’s. Some talk about going to higher octane fuel that solved it while others describe carbon buildup in the cylinder causing it. They talk about running Seafoam, Techron, ATF fluid and a myriad other ways to clear the carbon out for the fix.

Another common complaint they describe for the pinging is either a knock sensor going bad, corroded spark knock wire connector, or more common is the ECM which surprised me. The knock sensor and connector sounds like it’s buried under a lower shroud and is prone to water intrusion. They say to try cleaning the connector first. If that don’t fix it, swap the knock sensors and see if the knocking follows it. If it doesn’t, then it’s the ECM they say.
 
I was always told not to ride a Goldwing or Yamaha Venture like you would a Harley, keep the rpm's up the motors perform better at higher rpm's. That being said at what rpm is the bike making the noise?
 
Papa, I'm going to ride it this Fall and if it doesn't get worse I'll try to live with it. Pulling the engine just to start is a ton of money, especially since they have no idea what is going on. I settled the oil issue and can't believe that with that engine size a trike kit would cause it to make noise. This dealer is the best service dept in the Cinci area and I don't want to commit to $2400.00 just to start to find out the problem. Can owners talk to the tech line, or only dealers?
Warranty issue if you purchased the extended warranty should be an option?
 
I have no extended warranty. I've owned 10 Wings and never had the need for an extended warranty. It just sounds like the engine is going to swallow a valve or something. Never had a issue like this ever
 
I was always told not to ride a Goldwing or Yamaha Venture like you would a Harley, keep the rpm's up the motors perform better at higher rpm's. That being said at what rpm is the bike making the noise?

Usually under 2000 RPM's but it I need to get on it in traffic it will do it any any RPM
 
FRR said:
"My 2019 DCT has an issue, when engine is strained going up hills especially in Econ mode, makes a terrible sound on the left side of the engine. It isn't valves, but no one can figure out what is causing it. Doesn't loose power, just really sounds like the engine is going to explode. Dealer doesn't want to fool with it until December. Any good solid ideas. I can't even find anyone who had this happen. I've owned 10 Wings and never had an issue like this"

"Dealer said if it is a clutch issue it will run $2400.00 just to pull the engine plus the repair. Just wondered if anyone on this site ever had an issue like this. Thanks"



Fred,
Running in Tour or Economy mode should not have any affect on oil consumption, cause engine strain, or invoke terrible noises like the engine is going to explode. The dealer needs to investigate the cause and call Honda Tech Line for support if they cannot determine the source and fix for your issues.
Papa, I agree 100%. When I return to Ohio in December I'm taking it in and esplaining to them that I would like them to talk to Honda before they do anything drastic and that I need to be informed on their progress. I'm limited on dealers in my area so I hope they agree
 
Papa, I agree 100%. When I return to Ohio in December I'm taking it in and esplaining to them that I would like them to talk to Honda before they do anything drastic and that I need to be informed on their progress. I'm limited on dealers in my area so I hope they agree

Fred, just checking in with you to see if you got to talk to Honda about your shifting issues?
 
As I wrote on my other thread, the noise was not caused by a cup holder. This Spring it is back with full force. I have to be real careful accelerating under I get back to Ohio. Maybe tensioner, maybe other things. Don't know
 
Took the Trike back to the dealer last week with my return from Florida. They said they had 2 different techs ride it and can not duplicate the clattering issue. I even recorded the sound with my phone and sent it to the dealership before i returned. First dry day I'm. going to the dealership, ride it myself and then hopefully have a tech ride it so they can hear it. Don't know what else to do with it. Options as far as dealers are very limited in my area.
 

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