tinking sound from top end

Maybe ill post a video...

Finally got my bike out ofthe barn, and after a lot of work, it appears I have a lot more to do.

My engine is making a "tinking" sound at all RPMs. I recently adjusted my valve clearances and the engine did not make this sound before...

Im no mechanic... Any ideas?

 

It is normal to hear some light ticking when the valves are in spec. If it is loud then I would check them again.

 

No, this sounds abnormal... I am going to take the valve cover off again, I wonder if I tightened it down too much and the cam chain is scraping, it does appear to be coming from the right side however...

 

Got all your tools???

 

Valves too tight will be quiet, and when they are in spec they should be quiet at startup but once warmed up will make a light tapping sound as they make contact with the shims. If it's really loud then you might have oil issues, a bent/broken valve, damaged bucket, they are still too tight, or a cam issue.

If your thinking that the cover is down too much and that's the issue - well I don't think that's possible. The bolts only use the donuts to apply pressure and won't go any farther-but they can strip and crack the head if the donuts are toast and someone keeps trying to crank them tighter.

If you can post up a video with audio-even better with a unidirectional microphone too, and check your oil to make sure it's not mucked up.

 

Didn't you just have the exhaust system off?

Did you REPLACE the gaskets between the pipes and the head?

I'll betcha you're being mislead by a minor exhaust leak; they tend to sound VERY "metallic" even though they aren't.

That, or one of the parts of the system is rattling against the frame somewhere and fooling you.

 

MercuryMan,

Donuts are new. I did do something dumb, I ran theengine without any exhaust system in place for a couple minutes, maybe I did damage something, why me? Why am I so dumb. Im not a mechanic, I just don't know stuff like this. If its a valve, im toast. I just dont have the equipment and knowledge to pull an engine and fix it, look what I already may have done... I'll try to post a video with sound. Its only after the bike is warm. Ill look at the oil level today. So bummed

 

Thanks, Fitz! You give me hope. I think I can get me one of those stethoscopes and do some listening.

Maybe it is something simple, but the sound is consistient. Ill get a video up for sure. Also, there is excessive smoking by the exhaust header, ill look at the seals there as well.

I did replace the exhust seals.

 

Timmay,

Take a piece of hose 20" long or so. I use a piece of 1" rubber tube but you can even use a garden hose. Hard tube works but metal will transmit too much so try to get it in plastic or rubber, you can use that to isolate the noise just as well as anything else.

jeff

 

I bet Fitz has it right, An exhaust leaking at the manifold is one of those noises that sounds like it could be anywhere , ive had bikes in with apparent camchain noise/ tappet noise /worn cams/piston slap all diagnosed by the knowing customer only to find out they have had the exhaust off and its not seating right . ive done it myself a few time too

 

OK Guys, I'll get to it today. I have to take it out for a short ride to get the noise back, darn

I think I have to make a YouTube account there are no video uploads allowed on the forum. I appreciate all your help guys, this one is frightening me and I hope it's simple. FWIW, I warmed the engine good this morning and put my ear to things, it does 'appear' to come from the cam chain area and not the exhaust header area...

Also, there is smoke emanating from cylinders 3 or 4 around the spark plugs... no valve cover leak, I fixed that. Wondering if it's just the engine being air cooled and sitting idle... running at 1,500 RPM

 

I would bet Fitz is right. I have had an exhaust leak on one of my xj's before and it sounds like what you are describing. Make sure they are all seated correctly. Good Luck.

 

Oil level is OK...

The oil level is about 1/8" under the top marker in the sight glass on the center stand and level.

 

Video Here:

http://youtu.be/-XsvIRUn1Qs

The sound is more prominent when riding, I've had the bike to 60MPH and the noise (well, I can't hear it at that speed...) never gets any worse, even riding for a half hour. That's the 'good' news

The sound appears after a few miles on a warm engine, I'd take a video while riding... but, ahem... safety first. (the mic would be filled with rushing air anyhow)

 

Timmay, concerning your smoking head is it painted? The reason I ask is the first time I ran my bike after painting the upper half of the engine I had a rather noticeable smoke cloud emitting from my engine. I thought that was a sign of potential trouble but it ended up just being the paint baking on.

 

Yes, I did paint the valve cover (not a bad job, either) HY

It wasn't smoking this afternoon, I dunno, It did smell oy this morning... There's oil on the block from the PO who idn't care ab out the valve cover leaking... d

 

So I hooked a stethoscope up and my untrained ears tell me it sounds nearest the cam chain?

Maybe it's time to bring it to a mechanic

 

Thats how my 750 sounded after setting the valve shims correctly. I didn't hear anything abnormal.

 

Before you do that - since your donuts and gasket are good, check your valve clearances again and make sure you're not too loose, check over all your bolts up top on the cover, exhaust, etc., and change your oil to 20w50 motorcycle specific synthetic.

It's never easy to diag a sound through a video, but it doesn't sound very bad. The initial 'tink' sounds normal (valve tapping) and then there does seem to be a resonant ringing that follows that doesn't sound right. But that may just be the quality of the audio or you may have something loose up top.

Are you're exhaust pipes original? And were they in good shape when you had them off? Any chance they got damaged?

 

I just hear it louder when I'm riding, and It just doesn't sound right. I'm going to take it out again and bring my scope, the sound seems to diminish when idle, and gets louder when riding. I wish I could find a gear-head I could trust to listen to this. I'm worried about killing myself if something breaks in the engine

 

So, i talked to a mechanic, he listened to the valve cover and said i may have a loose shim. (went as bold as identifying #3intake and #1 exhaust) So, as I was going to do anyway... Im re checking the shims this weekend. He also told me to check for any play on the cam chain, even though there is an automatic tensioner. Boy am I glad he is local and works at a small engine shop. He fixes motorcycles as a hobby, and even owned a Maxim at one time, he has a drawer full of shims and a bucket of parts. Wouldn't let me leave his garage without first giving me Yamaha tank emblems (I have none), and letting me borrow his steering column wrench!

This tread is not done until the noise is gone, hope it helps another n00b

BTW, he said a shim adjustment is an expensive job at a bike shop...

I am not giving up guys and gals...

 

Hi MercuryMan,

The exhaust is stock. I did entirely remove it and sand/paint the collector as well as polished the chrome headers and mufflers. I did re fit the exhaust header gaskets and they were in good shape, no need to replace. All other exhaust components checked for torque (Fitz, I bought a nice socket extension set) and snug, no rattles.

Like I mentioned, and you are right... Re check those shims! Fortunately, my new mechanic friend has some and willing to trade, I have 6 myself.

I really love this bike, and im going to sync and tune once this noise is gone. Im looking forward to many (s)miles this season!

Thanks

 

UPDATE - FIXED!

OK, So I re-checked my shims today and lo and behold, in my diagram, I marked 285 as a needed shim for a bucket, I pulled out a 270! WHOOPS, must have forgot, and also forgot to re-check that shim because I remember turning the cam 5 times and checking clearances again... I totally spaced on this one...

I can still hear a little tapping going on in the engine, but it's probably just normal at this point, it doesn't "scream" at me as I ride anymore!

Always Triple-check your work is the lesson learned from this, because when I double-checked, I still failed

Thanks to all who helped me. I love riding this bike!

 

Now get after the brakes so you can KEEP enjoying it!

 

Yessir! I already rebuilt the front calipers (new seals, honed piston wall, polished piston) and installed SS lines, all thanks to Len for his extensive parts catalog...

The rear brake drum is up on the list for inspection, my wear gauge is well within tolerance, but I need to see of the pads are delaminating or otherwise rotting in the drum.

Sync and Tune is the last step, I need to spend a whole weekend on that... but nope, I won;'t be riding for real until that is all done. Safety, Spec and Clean! In that order.