top end noise

[tcate]

2005 R1200RT, almost 18K miles. Fresh oil change. Fresh valve adjustment. Runs great. Daily commuter. Ran great when started this morning, but during warm-up developed a loud click in the top end of the right hand cylinder. Still runs great - no noticeable missing. Pulled valve cover off - everything looks good. Valves still in adjustment, no missing nuts or bolts.

With the plugs out, in 6th gear, rotating the tire/engine there is a noticeable "click" at about the point that the cam magnet (?) passes the cam position sensor (TDC?). No, they're not touching. The click sounds like it's coming from somewhere around the cam, on the chain side maybe, but that's not a definite.

The closest dealer is in Louisville, KY, about 2 hours away. They said they'd be glad to listen to it, but can't touch it 'til the 12th of next month. My wife and I were scheduled to ride the Natchez Trace this weekend. She's finally agreed to ride with me and this will be her first-ever real ride. Or would have been. She thinks this is a sign that we should buy a GoldWing.

Suggestions on what to look for in the head/cylinder?

Thanks...

TC

[Andy VH]

When you say "loud click" do you mean just at startup or does it maintain the noise when the engine is running and warmed up?

If the valves are adjsuted properly, the other thing that can create clicking noise is the rocker arm tower end clearance. I recently adjusted mine after 127,000 miles and the bike got noticeably quieter once the oil pressure comes up at startup.

[tcate]

Loud click all the time.

I do have an update, though. After being frustrated to the point of considering my wife's GoldWing comment, I put the valve cover back on, fired the bike up and - Voila! - no more noise. I let it run and get warm, I rode to town and back, and still no noise.

That almost scares me worse than the noise - 'cause I didn't really do anything while it was apart - just looked at it real hard. I don't know what was wrong and I don't know why it works now. I just don't want to get somewhere in southern Mississippi and have it reoccur again.

So for now the crisis is averted.

I still appreciate wise counsel, though...

TC

[tbryant]

My 06 RT has 45K on it. I haven't experienced loud tapping while running but here in Arizona when it's hot and the temp gets up to the half way mark the motor gets a little noisier than when it's cooler. I have done my own valve adjustment and know that rather loud tap when turning the motor over by hand...it isn't present when running. I would ride it this weekend and not worry about it.

Terry

[deilenberger]

TC,

If I had to guess - it would be the hydraulic timing chain tensioner acting up for some reason. The loud click can be the chain bouncing around.

Why? Dunno.. so it's just a guess..

[tcate]

Thanks guys. Rode to work today (150 mi. commute) and all seems to be working well. Terry - it's interesting that you've noticed the click when turning over the motor. I thought that was my problem but - you're right - it doesn't exist when the motor's running.

Anyway, thanks to all of you. All's well so far... And we're off and running to the Natchez Trace...

TC

[tbryant]

Hey tcate!

how'd the trip go?

Terry

[tcate]

Hey tcate!

how'd the trip go?

Terry

Umm. Weather great, 'Trace great, mechanically great, but ergonomically not so hot. My wife couldn't get comfy on the rear seat and we had to cut the trip short. Rick Mayer saddles are due here by mid-June. If they don't help I'll be a solo rider again...

Thanks for asking!

TC

[wsteinborn]

Hmmm... to keep the wifey on board you may have to follow her suggestion.....