I have a 2012 HD Tri-glide. I have recently taken it to the dealer with a problem they cannot seem to diagnose. The problem is the horn cover on the left side of the trike seems to have developed an exhaust stain on the chrome cover. The dealer has no idea why this keeps showing up. I took it to them thinking the trike has a blown head gasket on the rear jug. They did a cylinder leak down test but found that the head gasket was OK but the exhaust stain keeps showing up on the back side of the horn cover. I noticed on the front head behind the horn bracket there is a brass fitting that goes into the head. The dealer is telling me that this is a temperature sensor. I do not know what it is since I do not have a manual to tell me what it is. Is it a temperature sensor or a compression release valve? Does anybody have an idea of what it may be and why there is an exhaust stain? I do not think there are very many places that the exhaust can come from. It is either on the back or front of the heads.
Exhaust leak????
- Thread starter Moneypit
- Start date
It's from the high heat the engine gives off. The brass cylinder you see is the compression release I believe.
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Do you ride on the freeway at 65+ mph for lengthy runs? It may be caused by the air cleaner. I get it too, but only after a long high speed trip on the freeway. It isn't bad a wipes off with a micro cloth.
The discoloration on the horn is from high engine temps and will come right off. The brass thing is the head temp sensor, the head has a blind hole this screws into.
Picture of temp sensor.
Picture of blind hole in the front head, its to the left of the intake port.
Its from the auto compression releases.
The auto compression releases relieve the pressure into their respective exhaust ports vs the manual type release which vents to atmosphere.
- Thread starter
- #8
Thank you for replying to my post. Msocko3, the pictures you sent me I now have a better understanding of what is going on with the brass fitting. This is a temperature sensor. I assume that the temperature sensor detects the temp in the cylinder head and tells the ECM to kill one cylinder when you are sitting still in traffic. I have learned the chrome horn cover picks up alot of heat between the two heads which gives it the illusion of an exhaust leak. This is when the chrome gets heated up and causes a discoloration on the chrome. I have some pics if I can figure out to upload them and put them on here to show you what I am talking about. As far as taking long trips, yes I do. Average speed is the speed limit of 65 to 70 mph or over. I am not going to worry about this anymore now that I understand what is going on. I have wiped this off with a microsoft rag so many times I guess I can wipe it off somemore.:xzqxz:
Here is the other side...
It must be motor heat discoloration. Rear cylinder getting hot due to lack of air flow across the jug. This shot is from a trike that I've tune, adjusted and adjusted the tune again...
It must be motor heat discoloration. Rear cylinder getting hot due to lack of air flow across the jug. This shot is from a trike that I've tune, adjusted and adjusted the tune again...
Has to be heat discoloration, it comes right off with quick detailer or when you wash it. Must be something with how blessed hot Trikes can run, I've never had it happen on any of my other Twin Cams, and I've had the old 95" engine from my 06 Ultra pretty hot thanks to the tool booths on I90 through Chicago.
Here is the other side...
It must be motor heat discoloration. Rear cylinder getting hot due to lack of air flow across the jug. This shot is from a trike that I've tune, adjusted and adjusted the tune again...
Its not the toll booths its the Hwy system overloaded and outdated with all the cars on the rode. Now they raise the tolls prices to try and fix the problems. Thus a hot bike sitting in traffic, yea 90 can be a trip at rush hours
Another easy way to find out if you have exhaust leak is if your mileage is getting worse.
- Thread starter
- #13
Mr. Wizard, wow, this picture you sent me of the air cleaner has the smoky cloudiness just like my horn cover. This is exactly what it looks like. Have you had a chance to look at the reflection in the chrome air cleaner? From my observation, the image looks pretty cool. It looks like somebody shot something thru the middle of you and the projectile is headed up to the middle of the air cleaner. I cannot tell what it is, it looks like either something copper or a beer bottle. Anyway, it looks pretty damn cool! Mr. Wizard and Msocko3, now that I have both of you on here, have you seen this product from J&P Cycles...type in head fan in the search engine. Do you know of anybody that has this on their Trike and does it work? Any info you can give me about this fan will be greatly appreciated.
those pics look like the breather area are not sealing properly
Wow that fan is expensive and you can't use an aftermarket horn with it. I have an air beast type horn.
I didn't take that picture. It's from another member on this forum. I'm waiting to hear back on a final tune attempt before I raise the seat for more air flow.
It's a stage one Arlen Ness Big Sucker. Where would it not be sealing near the football? :wave4:
I installed it so I can guarantee the seals are all good. The horn turned that color as well.
Wow that is a pricey little critter, but then anything that says Jims isn't cheap.
Hot Vapors can cause that type of issue on your football..
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