Nasty ticking at idle

Still picking away at getting my old Xj650 Seca in running shape.

Looking for any insights on this rather nasty knock/ticking coming from the left side (kickstand side).



The sound seems to be worse at idle when the engine is cold.

When she was last running well a few years back this sound was not present.

Full disclosure, i fully expect it could be related to the very suspect carbs and hoping it is not something worse.

Thanks in advance for guidance/advice.

 

Have you thoroughly checked the exhaust system for loose components or headers, and underside at the collector and silencer joints?

 

Sounds like an exhaust gasket leak to me

 

Agreed. Sounds like an exhaust leak.

 

+1 in any case doesn't sound like metal on metal..

 

I think you guys might be right about the leak though the sound if very metallic. I took a look at the new gaskets and #2 looks like it has no seal.

I had them quite tight so I don’t want to snap a stud. Better to double up gaskets or go with permatex sealant (or both)?

 

I would use single gaskets with no sealant (never used sealant before, other people might have) and I would clean the exhaust ports with a soft brush that won't damage the head. Bolts have to be torqued to 10Nm. Copper gaskets with a fold on them have to be fitted one way round, I think the fold has to face the exhaust header so the gasses cannot open them up.

 

I can't be entirely sure but it looks like hardly any of the gaskets were crushed. Make sure that the old gaskets are not still in the exhaust ports (a common problem), and that both the studs and the nuts are clean. Use nickel anti-seize on the threads.

 

It was indeed an exhaust leak. I doubled up the gaskets and that has solved it. This is with a 4-1 exhaust.
Thanks

 

Yaaaaay

 

Yeah, an exhaust leak at one of the ports has you thinking there's ensuing mechanical mayhem about to happen. Worse with a fairing, you really expect something to go clonk shortly.