engine clatter

925 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by hockeydad33, Jul 15, 2009

hockeydad33

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2009

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I was taking the wife out for a ride Friday night and at a stop sign the right side started to clatter. Lasted about 15-20 seconds and then quit. Turned around and headed for home and it did it again while I was riding at about 10 - 15 mph. Decided to change the oil (I had delo 400 in the bike and it had about 1500 miles on it). Put some seafoam in it and ran it for about 15 minutes and drained the oil. I did see some particles of hard carbon or something like it. It was not metallic or magnetic. I put in Castrol GTX 20-50 and a new filter. Ran all weekend (about 520 miles) with no further noise. I am still a little nervous because I have no idea what caused the noises and worried that it might show up again. What caused the problem? Trash in the lifters? Is there something I should be looking for or just ride and not worry? Thanks for the help. Randy

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plainmech

· #2 · Jul 13, 2009

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cut filter paper off element and spread out to examine what has been filtered out, also after adding sea foam i advise a sooner filter only change to make sure your not loosening a bunch of sludge to block up anything.:action::waving:

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hockeydad33

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 13, 2009

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Already disposed of the filter (spin on conversion) but will do a filter only change in a few hundred miles. Thanks

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sandiegobrass

· #4 · Jul 13, 2009

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Not sure about the 1200, but right side "clatter" on a 1100 is often the fuel pump... and intermittant.. been doing it as long as I remember.. more of "ticking" than "clatter" though..

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Bike...and Dennis

· #5 · Jul 13, 2009

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As Sandie stated, it could be the fuel pump. Mypumpwilltick now and then. Or it could just be thebike talking.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about as mine talks pretty often and is still running after 245 k miles.

Motors make noise.

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hockeydad33

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 14, 2009

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Thanks for the replys, will ride on. Randy

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tracker

· #7 · Jul 15, 2009

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hey i just saw something sphockeydad33( spin -on)
is it worth it?

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axelwik

· #8 · Jul 15, 2009

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Could be primary chain noise. Balance the carbs and give the bike a tuneup and it should go away.

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Hawker22

· #9 · Jul 15, 2009

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The 1200 has hydraulic valve lash adjusters(lifters). They require oil under pressure in order to operate and keep the valve lash(clearance) at zero. If the oil supply or pressure gets interrupted, the lifter cannot maintain a zero lash, and this results in the tapping of clattering noise that you are hearing. Can be caused by many things, but the most common one is a bit of air getting in the passage and running out to the lifter. It will eventually work its way out and the noise will go away for a spell, but can return at any time. Most common cause of air is too much oil in the engine, causing it to foam and carry air.

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hockeydad33

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 15, 2009

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Thanks for the replies. It definitely was not primary chain noise it was more like lifter noise. I was worried that the oil pump failed for a second but the oil light never even flickered and the oil level was the same it had been since I had changed it about 1500 miles ago. I am thinking I got a piece of trash (carbon or sludge) that temporarily blocked a lifter port. I am not a mechanicso I ask the experts here. After the oil change I hav put on over 600 miles now and not a single clatter. Hope the gremlin is gone. I appreciate everyones replies and help. Thanks. Randy

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