rpm-matching squeak under front engine cover

datchew · 03-26-2009, 02:45 PM

1989 r100gs

Just rode a VERY hard 720-ish miles to Florida and back to aid with a very sick kid. Upon return, something under the front engine cover is squeaking in sync with the motor RPM.

I'm thinking brushes or the cam/lifter interface of the points (my bike is converted).

Can't dig in till this weekend and time's running short for the spring fling.
Question: has anyone had similar experience?
I'm hoping for a lucky "oh that's easy just do this" fix.

Cigars&Scotch · 03-26-2009, 04:48 PM

I would pull the cover (with the battery disconnected), reconnect it and start her up to see if you can pinpoint the squeak. It should be pretty apparent to where its coming from. You really only have the rotor and brushes, timing chain, bean can and front seal.

Also double check your oil level. I had a cylinder head that was making more noise than usual and it turned out to be low on oil do to a 750 mile run.

Stagehand · 03-26-2009, 05:21 PM

its the battery.

datchew · 03-26-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stagehand

its the battery.

stop that you.

Will do Mike. Oil level is good. I check it religiously and it usually stays just right unless I fun 80+ mph on the freeway for a few hours.

Stagehand · 03-26-2009, 05:31 PM

I am so sorry i have been dying to use that since this morning, I dont know why.

I wish I could help with random noises under the hood, but... holy crap man

where to begin? If I know GS's it will not be there when you go to start it up next time.

RandyB · 03-26-2009, 07:14 PM

Earplugs.

bmwrench · 03-26-2009, 07:31 PM

My guess is that the diode board mounts have broken and the board is resting against the cover.

bgoodsoil · 03-26-2009, 07:39 PM

that's what you get for going back to points, luddite! Why don't you just hire two cavemen to sit over the spark plug holes and bang rocks together!

Hate to say it man, but you may have a bearing going. I can't picture brushes squeeking. could be one of the dragons in the bean can has a cold though. Try touching things and feeling for vibration if the sound doesn't give it away. I found a bad pulley on my mom's trailblazer that way. She was CERTAIN it was the transmission(all problems involve the 'transmission' with her, I don't think she even knows what it is).

you ask a simple question and get 5 smart-ass comments. man I love this place!

datchew · 03-26-2009, 08:58 PM

hmmm. More stuff to check. Well, i'll dive in this weekend.

If it's a bearing going, that may be the end of my relationship with this bike.
And I won't just sell it, I'll take it apart piece by piece and send it to the 4 corners of the earth cursing every last piece as it departs my presence forever.

So, let's hope it's something simple. I'm a bit edgy on the temper lately.

ps. Solid mounts on the diode board. Good thought though!
pps. I heard it despite earplugs. it's almost perfectly cricket pitch.

Sounds EXACTLY like the bushings dying on the blower fan from an e30.

WooPig · 03-26-2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datchew

So, let's hope it's something simple. I'm a bit edgy on the temper lately.

Now don't go all Hulk again.

Mine has the roo bars and all the fiberglass crap. Squeaks and chirps constantly. I would never hear this bearing failure thing. So if you part it out... dibs on the headlight pod!

RandyB · 03-27-2009, 05:42 AM

I need an oil cooler and some spokes.

We need a vulture avatar for times like this.

bpeckm · 03-27-2009, 06:20 AM

No problem, mon!
long ago we all decided

Quote:

It's ALWAYS the battery.

bmwblake · 03-27-2009, 07:14 AM

i'm still waiting for you to buy a honda.

Quote:

Originally Posted by datchew

If it's a bearing going, that may be the end of my relationship with this bike.
And I won't just sell it, I'll take it apart piece by piece and send it to the 4 corners of the earth cursing every last piece as it departs my presence forever.

Sounds EXACTLY like the bushings dying on the blower fan from an e30.

bgoodsoil · 03-27-2009, 07:17 AM

wait, chirping? you said squeeking! now that's a whole different matter.

I should've said this earlier but best wishes to the kid. I hope he gets better.

Infracaninophile · 03-27-2009, 09:30 AM

I'll trade you all of my old hulk memorabilia for your GS. How much gas is in the tank? That will alter my valuation of your bike.

I'm sure it's something simple (but incredibly expensive).

T.

03-26-2009, 02:45 PM	#1
datchew ^OP Don't buy from Brad Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Savannah - the dirty south Oddometer: 7,403	rpm-matching squeak under front engine cover 1989 r100gs Just rode a VERY hard 720-ish miles to Florida and back to aid with a very sick kid. Upon return, something under the front engine cover is squeaking in sync with the motor RPM. I'm thinking brushes or the cam/lifter interface of the points (my bike is converted). Can't dig in till this weekend and time's running short for the spring fling. Question: has anyone had similar experience? I'm hoping for a lucky "oh that's easy just do this" fix. __________________ On tap:Nada Aging: 3 experiments in mead - blackberry, apple, and straight honey

03-26-2009, 04:48 PM	#2
Cigars&Scotch My eyes are up here Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Fancy Pants of North Moran Oddometer: 1,741	I would pull the cover (with the battery disconnected), reconnect it and start her up to see if you can pinpoint the squeak. It should be pretty apparent to where its coming from. You really only have the rotor and brushes, timing chain, bean can and front seal. Also double check your oil level. I had a cylinder head that was making more noise than usual and it turned out to be low on oil do to a 750 mile run. __________________ Mike "Why don't you buy some flea collars for your ankles so the ants wont climb up you leg and bite your candy ass!!!" Kennyanc 07 H.Springs 38 BMW R71 w/sidecar Kung Fu version 77 BMW R90S Huh ? 90 BMW R100GS/PD "At last!" NRA Life Member, Trout Unlimited Life Member Drink till I'm Drunk Life Member

03-26-2009, 05:21 PM	#3
Stagehand +/- V TDSPP Joined: Oct 2004 Location: "Poughkeepsie?!?!" Oddometer: 19,949	its the battery. __________________ What to do... What to do...

03-26-2009, 05:31 PM	#5
Stagehand +/- V TDSPP Joined: Oct 2004 Location: "Poughkeepsie?!?!" Oddometer: 19,949	I am so sorry i have been dying to use that since this morning, I dont know why. I wish I could help with random noises under the hood, but... holy crap man where to begin? If I know GS's it will not be there when you go to start it up next time. __________________ What to do... What to do...

03-26-2009, 07:14 PM	#6
RandyB . Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 5,072	Earplugs. __________________ I've been shot, cut, burned, blown up, fired, busted, promoted, reprimanded and decorated. What are you going to do? Ban me? Blessed be the Lord my God, who prepares my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

03-26-2009, 07:31 PM	#7
bmwrench Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2006 Oddometer: 1,466	My guess is that the diode board mounts have broken and the board is resting against the cover.

03-26-2009, 07:39 PM	#8
bgoodsoil Dare to be Stupid Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Oddometer: 3,801	that's what you get for going back to points, luddite! Why don't you just hire two cavemen to sit over the spark plug holes and bang rocks together! Hate to say it man, but you may have a bearing going. I can't picture brushes squeeking. could be one of the dragons in the bean can has a cold though. Try touching things and feeling for vibration if the sound doesn't give it away. I found a bad pulley on my mom's trailblazer that way. She was CERTAIN it was the transmission(all problems involve the 'transmission' with her, I don't think she even knows what it is). you ask a simple question and get 5 smart-ass comments. man I love this place! __________________ '85 BMW r80G/S--Another G/S on the road--Central America on a Shoestring--Nova Scotia on a Shoestring--Never Leave a Man's Behind Proud SmugMug User Support ADV: Don't give those cheap bums your discount code bgoodsoil screwed with this post 03-26-2009 at 07:53 PM

03-26-2009, 08:58 PM	#9
datchew ^OP Don't buy from Brad Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Savannah - the dirty south Oddometer: 7,403	hmmm. More stuff to check. Well, i'll dive in this weekend. If it's a bearing going, that may be the end of my relationship with this bike. And I won't just sell it, I'll take it apart piece by piece and send it to the 4 corners of the earth cursing every last piece as it departs my presence forever. So, let's hope it's something simple. I'm a bit edgy on the temper lately. ps. Solid mounts on the diode board. Good thought though! pps. I heard it despite earplugs. it's almost perfectly cricket pitch. Sounds EXACTLY like the bushings dying on the blower fan from an e30. __________________ On tap:Nada Aging: 3 experiments in mead - blackberry, apple, and straight honey

03-27-2009, 05:42 AM	#11
RandyB . Joined: Jan 2006 Oddometer: 5,072	I need an oil cooler and some spokes. We need a vulture avatar for times like this. __________________ I've been shot, cut, burned, blown up, fired, busted, promoted, reprimanded and decorated. What are you going to do? Ban me? Blessed be the Lord my God, who prepares my hands for war and my fingers for battle. Psalm 144:1

03-27-2009, 07:17 AM	#14
bgoodsoil Dare to be Stupid Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Oddometer: 3,801	wait, chirping? you said squeeking! now that's a whole different matter. I should've said this earlier but best wishes to the kid. I hope he gets better. __________________ '85 BMW r80G/S--Another G/S on the road--Central America on a Shoestring--Nova Scotia on a Shoestring--Never Leave a Man's Behind Proud SmugMug User Support ADV: Don't give those cheap bums your discount code

03-27-2009, 09:30 AM	#15
Infracaninophile Finding My Way.. $Infracaninophile's Avatar$ Joined: Sep 2001 Location: New England, USA Oddometer: 7,506	I'll trade you all of my old hulk memorabilia for your GS. How much gas is in the tank? That will alter my valuation of your bike. I'm sure it's something simple (but incredibly expensive). T.
$Infracaninophile is offline$

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