Gasp!! A Newbie Noise Question!

PopJack · 10-01-2007

OK first Hello. I am a re-entry rider who bought an '02 1500 Nomad FI. It was well used with 25k on it, but runs wonderfully. The bike is more fun than I remember and I'm really enjoying it.

I have also enjoyed this forum and tried to lurk a little. That said I'd like to ask about engine noise (gasp.... an newbie asking about engine noise!). I hope this question is different enough to warrant a thread.

I have what sounds like valve ticking. I used a stick and it's definitely coming from the rocker cover area. I changed the oil to Kawa 10-40 and added a little Sea Foam to loosen up any stuck valves (probably "cage thinking"). The ticking seems louder.

Question 1: Can I be damaging the bike by riding it with a tick? The performance is wonderful and there are no other issues.
Question 2: Any oil suggestions for replacement? Will Thicker oil help? Synthetic?
Question 3: Can a mechanically talented old fart who knows car engines pretty well work on one of these with a shop manual, or are they the domain of factory trained and equipped techie-types?

Thanks for your replies.
PopJack the Newbie.

Got2Go · 10-01-2007

Have a look at this stickied thread:
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ne-noises.html

But, its most likely the normal ticking noise they all make.

c_law23 · 10-01-2007

my 900 has a ticking noise that drives me insane but it always has and it only has 3000 miles on it

kingofwings · 10-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by PopJack

Question 1: Can I be damaging the bike by riding it with a tick? The performance is wonderful and there are no other issues.
Question 2: Any oil suggestions for replacement? Will Thicker oil help? Synthetic?
Question 3: Can a mechanically talented old fart who knows car engines pretty well work on one of these with a shop manual, or are they the domain of factory trained and equipped techie-types?

Thanks for your replies.
PopJack the Newbie.

Welcome to the forum Jack,
1. Probably not. Mine (and countless others) have ticked since day one. Dealers say "they do that sometimes". I've got 35,000 miles on my "04 1600.
2. "Ask of oil and they will come". RichLockyer has done a lot of oil studies, check out this thread. Searching "oil" will make your head spin with so many hits.
3. For the most part, sure. Of course there are always funky tools and your digital FI might give you a migrane, but for the most part, keep your fluids changed and you are good to go.
Ride safe!

Aifwikir · 10-02-2007

I own a VN 900 and from day one it's been ,,, shall we say NOISEY!! With my last service I had the dealer add 20w50 Kawi oil (changed from 10w30 I think) and the engine had such a dramatic loss of noise I thought something was wrong with it. The thicker oil definately quieted down the engine. It still has noise and "ticking" but that's normal and is the nature of the beast. I live in Arkansas and the temps have been really high all summer long.
I would think that your engine would be the same. Ride it and have fun!

Aif

RichLockyer · 10-02-2007

Hydraulic lifters, so it's not valve adjustment.
Does the ticking go away, or quiet down under acceleration and cruise, but return under deceleration? If so, that's the Idle Control Solenoids.
They are louder when cold, and tend to quiet down when warm, but they are still audible on a warm engine.

PopJack · 10-02-2007

I had not paid much attention to when the clicking was loudest, so I went for a ride and listened. The tapping is loudest at idle, but present though acceleration. It seems to be quietest during engine braking. It does dimenish somewhat as the engine warms up.

RichLockyer · 10-02-2007

Probably the ICS.
The only other thing to be concerned about if you have 20k or more is the timing chain tensioners. They seem to run out of travel anywhere from 20-50k, which allows the chain to "flop" a bit, causing it to rub on the spark plug tubes. Eventually, they will wear through, evidenced by oil in the tubes under the plug boots.

You can remove the tensioners and install specially made shims to take up the slack, and I haven't heard of anyone needing a second "fix".

PopJack · 10-05-2007

OK- Here's what I really did. I put 10W-30 oil in the bike, along with Sea Foam to kind of wash out the crud (if there was any). I ran this about 500 miles, then drained it and replaced it with 15W-50 Mobil one.

Result: Some noise reduction, but still "cllicky." Seems better to me, and I'm happy.

Classic · 10-05-2007

Remember that you have a pretty darn big engine real close to your ears with no insulation so, you're gonna hear everything it does. Open the hood of any car while the engine is running and you hear all kinds of noises. The 1500 engine is noisy but it does have a habit of running reliably for a very long time.

PopJack · 10-14-2007

Problem Solved: Observations

I have solved my noise problem in my Nomad- it was the chain tensioner. I have a couple of observations that may be helpful to others looking for noise.

First, I could not identify the noise the engine was making. I was aware of the cam chain tensioner problem, but I didn't hear what sounded like chains on metal. UNTIL I went for a high speed ride with ear plugs. With ear plugs blocking wind noise, and movement carrying away the exhaust and other noises, I determined that what I was hearing was the louder clicks, bangs, or whatever of a continuous grinding chain. With ear plugs the noise was clear and scary.

Second; It easy to check these tensioner for the rear cylinder. This lets you know the work needs done.

Third: I bought a service manual because they normally help you find ways to do things. The service manual for the 1500 Nomad is, however, a bit of a joke. It contained very valuable information- but the way it suggested I do things were ungodly complicated. For example, it recommended I remove the rear exhaust pipe to get to the rear tensioner.

Fourth: The front cylinder is a pain in the butt to install the tensioner extension. After doing the rear I felt pretty cocky- but I got over it. Don't try this unless you have time and patience. The service manual has you removing everything between the heads- including intake manafold. This is not necessary, but expect bloody knuckles.

Thanks for all the input. My bike now sounds about like I expected it to!
PopJack

PopJack · 10-14-2007

Oh yeah- it is true I don't hear well out of one ear and the other is for decoration only.

10-01-2007	#1 (permalink)
PopJack Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 16	Gasp!! A Newbie Noise Question! OK first Hello. I am a re-entry rider who bought an '02 1500 Nomad FI. It was well used with 25k on it, but runs wonderfully. The bike is more fun than I remember and I'm really enjoying it. I have also enjoyed this forum and tried to lurk a little. That said I'd like to ask about engine noise (gasp.... an newbie asking about engine noise!). I hope this question is different enough to warrant a thread. I have what sounds like valve ticking. I used a stick and it's definitely coming from the rocker cover area. I changed the oil to Kawa 10-40 and added a little Sea Foam to loosen up any stuck valves (probably "cage thinking"). The ticking seems louder. Question 1: Can I be damaging the bike by riding it with a tick? The performance is wonderful and there are no other issues. Question 2: Any oil suggestions for replacement? Will Thicker oil help? Synthetic? Question 3: Can a mechanically talented old fart who knows car engines pretty well work on one of these with a shop manual, or are they the domain of factory trained and equipped techie-types? Thanks for your replies. PopJack the Newbie.

10-01-2007	#2 (permalink)
Got2Go What Curve.... BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 241	Have a look at this stickied thread: http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ne-noises.html But, its most likely the normal ticking noise they all make. __________________ --- I Have Not Seen Yayo... 07 ZX-6R 07 Mean Streak Special Edition Las Vegas Riders Meetup

10-01-2007	#3 (permalink)
c_law23 Missy Peregrym's #1 fan! Forum Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Newark, OH Posts: 5,787	my 900 has a ticking noise that drives me insane but it always has and it only has 3000 miles on it __________________ Chris VROC #24810 Black 2007 900 Custom http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p...0900%20Custom/

10-02-2007	#5 (permalink)
Aifwikir Patriot Guard Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Magazine, Arkansas Posts: 1,131	I own a VN 900 and from day one it's been ,,, shall we say NOISEY!! With my last service I had the dealer add 20w50 Kawi oil (changed from 10w30 I think) and the engine had such a dramatic loss of noise I thought something was wrong with it. The thicker oil definately quieted down the engine. It still has noise and "ticking" but that's normal and is the nature of the beast. I live in Arkansas and the temps have been really high all summer long. I would think that your engine would be the same. Ride it and have fun! Aif __________________ Retired US Army & Proud Marine Corps Dad! Blue '06 Vulcan 900 classic http://www.patriotguard.org

10-02-2007	#6 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 18,688	Hydraulic lifters, so it's not valve adjustment. Does the ticking go away, or quiet down under acceleration and cruise, but return under deceleration? If so, that's the Idle Control Solenoids. They are louder when cold, and tend to quiet down when warm, but they are still audible on a warm engine. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

10-02-2007	#7 (permalink)
PopJack Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 16	Just checked I had not paid much attention to when the clicking was loudest, so I went for a ride and listened. The tapping is loudest at idle, but present though acceleration. It seems to be quietest during engine braking. It does dimenish somewhat as the engine warms up.

10-02-2007	#8 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 18,688	Probably the ICS. The only other thing to be concerned about if you have 20k or more is the timing chain tensioners. They seem to run out of travel anywhere from 20-50k, which allows the chain to "flop" a bit, causing it to rub on the spark plug tubes. Eventually, they will wear through, evidenced by oil in the tubes under the plug boots. You can remove the tensioners and install specially made shims to take up the slack, and I haven't heard of anyone needing a second "fix". __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

10-05-2007	#9 (permalink)
PopJack Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 16	OK- Here's what I really did. I put 10W-30 oil in the bike, along with Sea Foam to kind of wash out the crud (if there was any). I ran this about 500 miles, then drained it and replaced it with 15W-50 Mobil one. Result: Some noise reduction, but still "cllicky." Seems better to me, and I'm happy.

10-05-2007	#10 (permalink)
Classic Ahhh Crap BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southwest PA Posts: 1,818	Remember that you have a pretty darn big engine real close to your ears with no insulation so, you're gonna hear everything it does. Open the hood of any car while the engine is running and you hear all kinds of noises. The 1500 engine is noisy but it does have a habit of running reliably for a very long time. __________________ Steve 2003 1500 Classic VROC 11660 RB 139

10-14-2007	#11 (permalink)
PopJack Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 16	Problem Solved: Observations I have solved my noise problem in my Nomad- it was the chain tensioner. I have a couple of observations that may be helpful to others looking for noise. First, I could not identify the noise the engine was making. I was aware of the cam chain tensioner problem, but I didn't hear what sounded like chains on metal. UNTIL I went for a high speed ride with ear plugs. With ear plugs blocking wind noise, and movement carrying away the exhaust and other noises, I determined that what I was hearing was the louder clicks, bangs, or whatever of a continuous grinding chain. With ear plugs the noise was clear and scary. Second; It easy to check these tensioner for the rear cylinder. This lets you know the work needs done. Third: I bought a service manual because they normally help you find ways to do things. The service manual for the 1500 Nomad is, however, a bit of a joke. It contained very valuable information- but the way it suggested I do things were ungodly complicated. For example, it recommended I remove the rear exhaust pipe to get to the rear tensioner. Fourth: The front cylinder is a pain in the butt to install the tensioner extension. After doing the rear I felt pretty cocky- but I got over it. Don't try this unless you have time and patience. The service manual has you removing everything between the heads- including intake manafold. This is not necessary, but expect bloody knuckles. Thanks for all the input. My bike now sounds about like I expected it to! PopJack

10-14-2007	#12 (permalink)
PopJack Newbie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 16	Oh yeah- it is true I don't hear well out of one ear and the other is for decoration only.

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