| Author | Message | ||
     Leoallafila |
I noticed the last couple of times where I was sitting in traffic in DC, after picking up my wife that when (presumably) the oil becomes very hot, I can hear a distinct sound coming from the engine at around 2000 rpms, and it sounds a lot like tappets being too loose. As soon as I start moving and the engine cools down a little bit it disappears. Is that normal? Bike is a 2006 ully with 1800 miles on it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Does the sound appear when accelerating when you open the throttle, and then go away instantly if you close the throttle? If so, that's spark knock. If that's the case, make sure you're using 91 or 93 octane gas. If you're using good gas and still getting spark knock, you may want to consider retarding the ignition timing slightly. It's a fairly easy adjustment if you need to do it. | ||
| Union_man |
Knock could be the cause. +1 Hugh I would also consider... Oil Level...Check as stated in owners manual. Oil Weight...What oil is in Bike? Are you running cold weather oil in hot conditions? I think that it is most likely... Octane of Gas...Did you fill up with Premium ...or not??? Did it start shortly after a fill up? I have gotten some questionable gas that caused knock. If you have a full tank, go easy on the throttle and fill up with good quality Premium before you hit empty. (Half tank fill up) Have you done a TPS reset? If not I would do one. Hard to say without hearing the noise. (Message edited by union_man on April 27, 2011) | ||
| Leoallafila |
I only use Shell premium gas. I'll try and record it next time it happens, it happens both in neutral just raising the rpms's slowly and while running, especially when I pull the clutch to come to a stop and the engine drops rpms to go back to idle: when it passes that 2k rpms zone the sound is clearly audible. It has come up twice only in hot days (mid 80s) and prolonged traffic conditions. Last oil change was done 700 miles ago @ HD dealership of Annapolis so they used HD oil. I'll check what grade. | ||
| Hughlysses |
OK, if it happens in neutral and when decellerating/pulling in the clutch, it is definitely NOT spark knock. Spark knock will occur under the opposite of those conditions. I'd guess you're right about it being lifter noise. As long as you're running the recommended grade of oil, the level is adequate, and it's been changed regularly, I wouldn't worry about it. | ||
| Cycletlh |
My 2007 has had a tappet sounding knock since new. 30,000 miles and it has not changed. | ||
| Ratbuell |
These are "tappy" engines; there's not a lot of meat in the rockerboxes and they transmit a LOT of valvetrain sound. Being aircooled doesn't help either - no water jackets to soak up mechanical noises. If you'd like a 'live' ear...I'm only about 45 minutes north of DC, in Frederick MD. We have *good* roads up here  Come visit, I'll take a listen if you like. Almost 22k on my '06 and it's a happy camper! I can also throw ECMspy on yours and see where your base timing is, to rule out any spark knock. | ||
| Paul56 |
90k miles on my 06 as of last week. Sounds like a box of rocks....... still. I like it. When it stops making noise I'll be concerned | ||
| Leoallafila |
Lol! Well good to know! I guess I need to get used to an agricultural engine!  | ||
| Motorbike |
Leoallafila, I have never had a motorcycle that did not make what I consider excessive engine noise. I even thought both of my 1200cc Honda Gold Wings made more noise than they should. You need to keep in mind that you are sitting directly over the top of a hollow piece of aluminum with a lot of steel and iron moving in several directions inside. Car and truck engines make a huge amount of mechanical noise also. The difference is, in most other types of vehicles, your passenger compartment is very well insulated from the engine noise because of the firewall and any engine compartment insulation. If you want to hear a lot of noise, just remove the inside engine cover (doghouse) from an old chevy van and take it for a drive down the highway. You would swear the engine is about to explode! | ||
| Leoallafila |
I've been riding for 17 years my friend, I am very aware of that. But since I have worked a lot on engines, when I hear the tappets starting to make MORE sound than what they did when the engine is at a normal operating temperature, I get worried: so I took it to the forum and I ask. Luckily it's not something to worry about, but better safe than sorry, never having owned a Buell before. | ||
| Motorbike |
Leoallafila, sorry, I was not trying to offend you in any way and I apologize if I came across that way. I was just making a general statement for anyone who may be interested. You are absolutely right to question any noise that is new or unusual and I would have done exactly the same. Please let us know if you figure out what is causing that tappet noise. Thanks. | ||
| Leoallafila |
No offense at all!! | ||
| Mnviking |
My rocker boxes seem to make a little more noise when the motor has been running hot for awhile. (I.e. Just getting back from a longer putt.) If you just were serviced at a HD dealership they usually put 20w50 conventional oil in these babies, since that's what the manual calls for. Try switching to a full synthetic (Amsoil is my first choice). You'll bike will run cooler and I swear I get better fuel mileage too. (I'm sure someone will debate me on that.) | ||
| Uly_man |
Leo. The engine is still VERY tight at 1800 miles but you should not have very bad tappet noise. I guess you know but if not. The tappets are hydraulic and on most things (not sure on the HD engine) not adjustable. If not then the gap is via oil pressure. Like they say it is hard to pin down if your not there. Best of luck. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
After I rebuilt the top end on my Road King with pistons, headwork and cams, I started hearing all kind of noises everywhere I went. Tapping sounds at all manner of RPMs, etc. Sometimes it seemed so loud I'd pull over and check it out. That build has almost 60k miles on it now so I guess it was all right. I started wearing earplugs. +1 on the synthetic. I don't know if it helps noise, but it will stand the heat better. | ||
| Leoallafila |
Right, my clearances are still very TOIIGGHT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu31VyXlTzo LOL |
