| Author | Message | ||
     Lowflyer |
8k miles (10 months) and my fan caught a case of the rattles. I now have one on order. What a clusterfcuk!  | ||
| Aeholton |
Mine quit at just under 12,000 miles (8 months) on the way to Barber for the AMA races. That was one of the motivating factors in buying the right side air scoop. I've lost faith in the fan. Maybe this one will last longer with less duty cycles.  | ||
| Xbimmer |
3 months, 5k, rattling. Jury's still out with me and the R/S scoop. Extra air makes sense to me and the Factory dialogue on the other "Scoop" thread makes sense also, but confuses me. How does containing heat at standstill between the cyls on the right side benefit the fuel rail to prevent vapor lock? I know I'll probably buy a dang R/S scoop regardless and hope it helps the fan along... | ||
| Davo |
9 months and 6.5K and it is starting to sound gritty but I keep a spare fan in my bags! If anyone close by needs one in a pinch let me know and they can order one to replace it. | ||
| Lorazepam |
6k and 5 months. Mine didnt like riding in the rain. I actually dont mind the screaming meemie, beats a blistered leg when going slowly in the heat. I hope they find a suitable replacement for the current fan. This one aint cutting it when it comes to the elements. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I just posted this on the right hand scoop thread but it better fits this topic. I guess I'm suspicious that the failure rate and louder than normal noise may be related. Its not a moving air noise its a mechanical noise, noise = friction friction = wear I have owned more bikes that I can count that have had fans but never remember any being discussed at all as they are usually an invisible friend. NO ONE dislikes the fan or does not see the importance of it under the frame I love my bike, I just look forward to the day that they add the fan to the list of continuous improvements they are always making. I would also be curious if there is a correlation with age as older people do not hear higher pitched noises as do young. This is proven science http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/12/technology/12ring.html?ex=1153627200&en=14be9b ff15f93049&ei=5070 | ||
| Davo |
Brad1445, 40 something with stock exhaust and I can't hear the fan running and it runs all the time......they tell me. | ||
| Ntmmd8r |
I've got to say...I'd put up with twice the noise, if the fan would just cool my engine enough to keep it from clattering in the heat. My bike only has 1300 miles and the last couple of days it's been 100+ here in Louisiana, and both days after a 10 and a 20 mile (interstate and highway) trip my engine would clatter with any touch of the throttle. This plus the fact that the heat off of the right side of the engine is scalding my leg, leaves me very disappointed with otherwise a really cool bike....Pardon the pun. | ||
| Lowflyer |
MMMMkay, the topic here is "when did your fan break?" This is NOT one of the 'fan noise' threads.  | ||
| Brad1445 |
Lowflyer I'm saying they are one in the same problem noise = friction friction = wear | ||
| James996 |
fan blew out at 4500miles. bike now has 8700mile and the second fan is on its way out also. The stator also went with the battery at 8000 miles. I'm starting to regret this purchase | ||
| Eor |
Mine was pre-emptively replaced by the dealership around 2500 miles....it was sounding pretty bad at that point. | ||
| Brucelee |
This CAN'T be happening. I have been assured on other threads that the Buell engineers have made this cooling system PERFECT in everyway and therefore the fans CANNOT be failing like you guys say. I think they must be still running but have learned to be very very quiet. Perhaps they are hunting rabbits? | ||
| Lowflyer |
No worries Brad. I am conducting an informal survey to see how long these fans are lasting. 8k seems a bit premature for my fan to develop problems. I'm sort of with you Bruce, in that I see the flaw in having a fan as a key part in the cooling scheme only if you're not determined to use a fan that is virtually indestructible. That is, if we have to have a fan, give us one that won't break after a few thousand miles. That is fargin ridiculous. | ||
| Diablobrian |
It's odd that the fans have proven so reliable on other XB chassis, but are failing on the Uly. Are the people that are having failures doing more dirt/gravel road riding? I really am curious. If they do come up with a new fan, I hope it's quieter so people can stop being annoyed by it. | ||
| Centurion |
6,000 miles and mine has started rattling now, have to go & talk to my dealer next week. | ||
| Lowflyer |
DB, I ride mostly pavement, but have done several hundred miles of dirt/gravel. I also ride rain or shine. | ||
| Davo |
I think the fan has a more aggressive set of parameters. Does anyone have a manual for a xb that has the fan key on and key off temps? | ||
| Rkc00 |
Mine was replaced by the dealership around 6200 miles. It was sounding pretty bad at that 4500 miles. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Ringo |
Mine went out at 4000 miles as my buddy and I left for a thousand mile romp thru the corners in Arkansas. We measured the rear cylinder temp of both bikes several times and at most mine was only 20 degrees hotter. We rode hard for two and a half days in temps from 65 to 95 degrees, no problems, no pinging. However…My bike is BLACK and fast while his is only yellow. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Interesting point comparing other XB Models. IN 04 I bought a XB9 Lightning did a quick 14,000 no failure, in 05 I bough a XB12 Firebolt 23,000 miles in 12 months no failure. In my experience the Uly fan does run more often than my two prior models in similar conditions. I thought I read somewhere that the elongated frame covered more of the rear jug. | ||
| M2nc |
As far as the survey, I just past 10,000 miles and no fan problems. I'll let you know if that changes anytime soon. | ||
| Davo |
Ntmmd8r, quote: "last couple of days it's been 100+ here in Louisiana, and both days after a 10 and a 20 mile (interstate and highway) trip my engine would clatter with any touch of the throttle. " Is the clatter pinging? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
What's the problem with the fan. I've got nearly 100,000 miles on that fan with no problem. Wait, replace miles with revolutions. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
If they can make electronic fuel pumps then why not electronic oil pumps. You could have this and an extra oil cooler for the rear cylinder with thermostatic control. If the rear cylinder gets to hot the oil routes through the open thermostat to keep everything copacetic. When the bike stops the electronic oil pump keep the oil flowing until the cylinder cools. It would have to be much quieter than the fan method. In fact, maybe the oil pump could just adjust pump rpm to keep temps in line. | ||
| Debueller |
21K miles and it sounds very gritty. I ride in dusty conditions sometimes. Under the seat seem to get very dirty. I think the fan pulls alot of dirt into itself and into the bike. The dealer will not replace the fan untill it completely fails, same answer I get with the drive belt.  | ||
| Thunderbox |
That statement may be true at your dealer but my fan has started sounding like a couple of marbles at low speed. The fan was ordered and is in they are replacing it this week along with a very rusty muffler. | ||
| Chadhargis |
At about 5000 miles, mine started acting funny. Not making any unusual noises, just barely spinning at times when it should be wailing like a banshee. I took it to the dealer and got lucky enough to cut the bike off and have it spin very slowly. The service tech said, "Ooooh...bad fan". The tested it and it worked normally, but they are replacing it anyway. | ||
| Debueller |
I have an appt. on the 3rd of Aug for the new lic. plate light. During that visit, the dealer and I WILL revisit the issue of the gritty fan noise. BTW, I did notice it sounds worse when on the low speed. To really make it sound really ugly, I blow compressed air through it to make it spin backwards.  It makes that chattering bearing noise. | ||
| Bosezone |
Mine went intermittent then died at 5k after three months. Replaced under warranty. |
