Hi all, For the last few days I've noticed a new noise from the RH head area on my 2002 1150 Adv - 160k miles. I've embedded a couple of videos - simply because I don't have a facility just to record sound. The noise is a high pitched clicking - I'm wondering if it's arcing from the HT lead - although there's no visible sign of that. Plus the whole thing clanks like a Victorian central heating system, but frankly, I'm used to that... <iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="425" height="240" src="https://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2201575592_H3dZJmS?width=425&height=240"></iframe> <iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="425" height="240" src="https://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2201590219_PsSvktf?width=425&height=240"></iframe> Any ideas? Mike
locknut fallen off valve adjuster? (or just a loose valve) I'm amazed you can put up with all that racket - Certainly seems like self destruction is imminent but if it's been doing that for a long time already, perhaps not. At 160K miles, it doesn't owe you much anyway.
Sorry - should have mentioned that there has been no roughness, drop in performance or change in fuel consumption. The video was taken at the end of a 250 mile day and the engine was hot, for what it's worth. It doesn't sound as rough as a nut floating about, it's quite a delicate sound - plus I would expect the tappet in question to adjust itself without a locknut and produce some other symptom - typically performance. I did the left hand cam chain tensioner mod about three years ago. Mike
Did you check throttle shaft bushing on that side? Small thing but can be noisy. Could also be a breaking up cam chain guide. Look in the oil for black plastic crumbs.
I just took video of the same thing. Same problem, same sound, same side. I hear a " delicate" chain type sound like you describe. 2004 1150GS. I figured I would crack it open this weekend and do the valve check and rocker arm end play first. After that I guess it's cam chain tensioner or chain guide. I will be watching your thread and will report anything I find.
Any chance to share the bikes history? At that mileage it's hard to guess. However, also due to a clonking noise, I recently pulled apart my 1150 with 70k miles, 1 out of 4 cam chain guides were left. The rest broke off and ended in pieces. Even the tensioner piston, right hand side, was badly worn due to direct contact with the chain. Mind you the bike was running fine if not for the noise. I changed the set, as well as he chains but held back on valves, to keep costs down. Now an inlet valve is bent, discernible by trying to spin it in place but it won't. I am still waiting for the parts to come and provide an update.
Sounds like it may be a loose pushrod head. It has shown up on higher mileage engines. There is a thread on this site that deals with that subject. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215134
Thanks for all replies. History: I have owned the bike from new (Mar 2002). Main dealer serviced for the first two years (up to 42k miles IIRC) - by me thereafter. The heads have not been off the bike. 6k oil changes using dino oil. Cam chain tensioner mod fitted about three years ago. Mike
Pull the valve cover and look for debris from a tensioner....hopefully it's not more than that. If it is tensioner debris, remove what you can and ride on.
Video recorded this morning when the engine was cold... <iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="425" height="240" src="https://api.smugmug.com/services/embed/2203132471_FrRsZG7?width=425&height=240"></iframe>
There's a tapping throttle butterfly (worn shaft) but I don't think that's the noise we heard when it was hot
Yes, I only noticed how bad that was when I played the video back - you can hardly hear it I have my original TBs in a drawer - I think I'll have them refurbed over the winter. It's a lot quieter when it's cold, isn't it? I'm still thinking in terms of HT arcing, from the type of sound it is...
Id be looking for the simple things first up. Suggest a hands on inspection of your crash bars to rule out a crack or break. If a stethoscope is not available improvise with a large and long screwdriver to try and locate where the noise is emanating from. Next , off with the valve cover to see if anything obvious as other posters have suggested, ie missing or loose locknut etc. You mention suspect arcing, makes me think a loose spark plug rocking around in it's hole. Good luck and good hunting.
That sounds like the right side TB shaft and bushing are shot. I did mine on my 02 GSA with 90K on it, settled that knocking right down. Then 2K later I did the left side both were pretty well shot. I order the kit from Dan Cata, worked perfectly. If you want to be sure it's the TB shaft, put your finger against the inside of the TB and press on the shaft cover, see if the knocking stops or changes pitch, if so, that's your problem. Good Luck.
I'm pretty sure it is you right butterfly shaft. On the right side throttle body put your finger against the right side throttle cable where it is out of the sheaf. You should be able to feel the shaft vibrating. Just use very light pressure and you can probably make the sound go away. I always found the right side of the boxer engine noisier than the left side. If you thing it is a HT lead, run the bike in the garage ( doors open ) at night ( lights off ) and see if you can see any arching.
If it's the higher pitched tapping sound right around the 12 to 14 seconds mark I'm betting it's the butterfly shaft.
Here you go - Posted this before when others have asked about a similar noise , and they've found the same wear - try a search for camshaft wear. I've also had three other bikes in the workshop since with the same wear The strange thing is the cams on other side of the engine have been perfect. Knocking noise from the R/H side - R1100 50K miles. Cause = Worn cams, cam followers, cam/rocker holder and rocker arms. The cylinder head after all the rocker gear and camshaft has been removed Cam/rocker holder. Cam and cam followers. Camshaft. Cam followers in the holder. Cam followers New cams and followers
Wow, nice post. The followers look awful! Is this type of wear common? I can't recall seeing a follower face look so battered except for cases of extreme misadjustment or oil starvation. Thanks!