Metal on metal noise

[bkwashby]

I have an 01 Sportster LE with the carb 951 engine and I've recently started hearing what sounds like metal rubbing on metal when I'm reving around 2500-3000 rpm. Can hear it in the engine compartment when in the water and at the pump when out of the water (sound possibly coming out of exhaust). In the winter I put all new seals, shaft, bearings, wear ring and a the 15/20 solas impeller in the pump (which loaded the engine up and lowered my top RPM to about 6200rpm) if that info helps...and this weekend changed the pusher and spring in the pump cone (because I thought it sounded like it wasn't holding the impeller away from the pump housing enough) which didn't get rid of the noise. I stuck my hand down by the counterbalance shaft to see if maybe the bearings were seized on that but the engine just felt normal warm not hot where the bearing would be. The sound isn't constant metal on metal, it's more like a chattering metal on metal sound. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Coastiejoe]

I feel like you are in the right area. If you really want to isolate it, pull the pump and the drive shaft and fire up the engine... If the noise is gone, the issue is the pump or the bearing..

 

[bkwashby]

There was no metal shavings in the oil when I pulled the pump cone so I'm leaning towards the carbon seal but still looking for any other feedback I can get.

 

[Coastiejoe]

There was no metal shavings in the oil when I pulled the pump cone so I'm leaning towards the carbon seal but still looking for any other feedback I can get.

You can basically take it apart on the shaft and then fire it up to see if the noise is still there. Press the collar back and remove the C-Clip. Get the preassure of the CS and see what happens.