tickin noise

[Path148]

A few days ago, my bike started making this horrendous (sp?) ticking noise. It doesn't matter if I'm sitting at idle in neutral or going 70 on the highway. The sound increases (becomes unbearable) under throttle and becomes very rapid. It is so loud that it drives me bonkers because I ride around 5-6k rpms. I took it to honda today and the guy said it was ok...just normal engine sounds, but it's different once I get out on the road versus just sitting there. Once it warms up I think it gets worse. So anyway. I'm thinking it needs a valve adjustment, but I was wondering if any of you guys that are local and know a thing or two about bike engines could take it for a spin and listen and see what the hell it could be and then helping me with whatever it is if it needs to be repaired. I would gladly pay you for your services. Thanks

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[odduc]

I'll do whatever I can to help.

Where in NH are you located?

[Awesome]

What kind of bike, and how many miles on it? When was your last oil change and what kind of oil are you running. Have you ever done a valve adjustment?

it's either the valves or the cam chain tentioner.

[Path148]

I live in manchester right now, but I'm willing to travel if necessary.

As for the oil...it was changed when I bought the bike and that was about 2.5k miles ago. I don't know what kind of oil they used in it. It's my first bike and I've only had it for a couple months and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about it. I am planning on changing the oil later this week. I have been meaning to, but with all the crap going on lately I haven't been able to do much of anything. I've already replaced the CCT on the bike. It's not the same rattle. I put in an APE Manual CCT and it hasn't made the marbles in a tin can sound since. This is a tick...and it's progressively worse as rpms pick up. Oh yeah...it's a 2000 CBR600F4 and it has almost 17k miles on it. I don't believe that a valve adjustment has ever been done, but then again I bought it used so I don't know for sure.
Thanks guys

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[OreoGaborio]

oooOOooo... 17k & no valve adjustment? I wouldn't ride it... get em checked out. I'm sure there's someone in the Manchvegas area that can help ya out. I know Jim Pidgeon is nearby, but maybe another member in your area can show ya how to check em yourself

[bump909]

you might want to try running a search over at www.cbrworld.net if you haven't already.

[Degsy]

ha ha I knew it would be an F4.

It's your camchain tensioner lifter. About $50 from www.ronayers.com and you can change it yourself.

derek

[Awesome]

Originally posted by Degsy
ha ha I knew it would be an F4.

It's your camchain tensioner lifter. About $50 from www.ronayers.com and you can change it yourself.

derek

He said he's replaced it, so it could still be the valves. if the oil is low, or really old, and/or junk it could be causing this as well. Usually when you rev the bike up and get on the power the cam chain will quiet down a bit.

[Degsy]

Oh yeah, just saw that. However, if the APE manual tensioner (I hate those things) was not installed and adjusted properly the camchain could be stretched.

If it's a loud ticking it could be a valve adjustment (unlikely in my opinion), a camshaft problem, a leak (hole) in an exhaust header.

derek

[Stoneman]

I'm guessing the MANUAL tensioner has either been installed improperly or isn't adjusted properly...

I'd guess that 17K on a 2000 F4 isn't enough to whack the valves THAT much. 'Course, that's under normal conditions and who's to say what the bike went through before you got it...

As Degs mentioned, a leaky exhaust (at the header flange) may also be the culprit. Tighten your headers where they enter the cylinders...

[Awesome]

I just figured it out. It's the flux diffribulator fluid.

[Stoneman]

Originally posted by hessogood
I just figured it out. It's the flux diffribulator fluid.

DOH! Never even thought of that. I thought Honda stopped using those units in like, '98. If the fluid went bad, chances are it did some damage to the bobble valve then too, right?

[stoinkythepig]

Originally posted by Stoneman
DOH! Never even thought of that. I thought Honda stopped using those units in like, '98. If the fluid went bad, chances are it did some damage to the bobble valve then too, right?

No the bobble will be OK, it's the thetzer valve that goes on those F4s

[Path148]

I'm pretty sure it's not that the CCT is too tight and stretched the cam chain. I started the bike with it loose and rattling like hell and slowly tightened it up until just after the rattle went away. But then again...it was the first maintenance I performed on my bike... I'm no mechanic that's for sure. I just followed the tutorial I found on the internet...usually works for me.

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[stoinkythepig]

Valves don't get loud over time. They get quiet because the lash tightens up. I seriously doubt the noise is loose valves.

For giggles, try running the bike with a spark plug wire or coil disconnected, one at a time. If the noise changes with one particular plug not firing, you can bet it'll be an issue with a wrist pin, con rod or exhaust leak.

[sin]

i have the same bike, same year with the same exact problem with close to the same mileage. it gets worse as the bike warms up and even worse when its real hot out. im thinking valve adjustment. ive been offering a few hunded bucks to anyone who can adjust them but no takers yet.(in weymouth mass if anyone is interested) im gonna double check the exhaust tomorrow but i just put a full system on this winter and it was doing it last year to. oh and the fucking cctl was replaced about 750 miles ago but im going to do it again to be safe.

[SVRACER01]

have the piston return springs ever been replaced?
also check your conuter valve... sometimes those stick and you wont get 1.21 giggawatts to power the flux capaciter

[ZX-12R]

I'd say it is time to invest in a mechanics stethoscope a.k.a. a long screwdriver with a handle.

With the engine running, put the handle of the screwdriver on your ear and touch different areas of your engine with the tip of it. The location where the ticking noise is the loudest is your problem area.

Then report your results back here.

[Path148]

Thanks stoneman for taking a look at my bike today. I really appreciate you setting aside some time for me as I know you are busy with the house and all. It was great meeting you and talking for a while. Seems we share the same views on a few subjects. I'm up for the maintenance day, I'll have to check with work and I'll get back to you about it though. I felt kinda foolish when you started the bike up and didn't hear anything abnormal...I was like maybe I am just imagining things? Anyway. The bike is gonna be parked til I get back from NY this weekend and I'll take it apart to get to those header bolts. Degsy hit it dead on it seems. I would have thought with as much time as I spend cleaning my bike I would have noticed that gap...anyway. I really do appreciate it. I'm glad the rain held off enough for you to take a look at it. I made it over the hill and then stopped cause it was a mess on 28, I was hoping I could get away without rain gear, but I'm glad I brought it! Thanks again!

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[Stoneman]

Not a problem, man. It's really a minor noise. And like I said, if you didn't tell me it was there I wouldn't even have heard it. Glad I could help. It was cool meeting you & shooting the shit. Have fun in NY...

[Path148]

Stoneman, I pulled off my fairings today and got in there to tighten those bolts and all of them are like that and they aren't moving at all. There is a gap on all of them and it looks odd, but I think it's normal. So anyway, I listened really close to the bike as it warmed up and it sounds like it's definitely coming from the top side of the engine just up under the tank. I suppose one of these days I'll pull the tank and set it off to the side so it's still connected and run it and see if I can pin point it. I dunno. It is so aggrevating to me, even if it is minor...I guess I'm just anal like that. Oh well...back to square one I guess.

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[Stoneman]

Let's see if we can get together up at my place some weekend soon. I have an auxilary fuel tank we can use. It'll allow us to REALLY get in there & listen...

I still think you're nitpicking, and I still say it's NOT the valves. If it's not farting out the exhaust flange like I thought, I'm guessing it's a fairly normal sound. I never woulda noticed it if you hadn't said anything. Even then, I had a very difficult time hearing it...

[Path148]

haha, that's what I was expecting. I AM a bit of a nitpicker... oh well. I will see if I can find the source, if not then the hell with it. As long as it's running I'll learn to live with it...thanks stoneman for your help so far! Being a crackhead ain't easy...

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[Stoneman]

HA!

Seriously. Take another spin up. I'll give ya a hand finding the exact source. It'll be easier with the auxilary tank I have...

[Path148]

alright... I'll have to figure out when I'll be able to come up again. I have tuesday and wednesday off this coming week...? I also don't have to be in until noon on Sat morning...but I know you are doing that bike maintenance thing that morning and who knows how long it will take to mess with it. Like I said, it is running, so there is no hurry. Thanks,

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