96 r1100rt engine tick

[Isleryder]

Hey I was wondering if anyone has had the same issue. I had a ticking noise coming from the engine after it heated up that sounded like valve tappets. So I set the valves and took it for a ride and the noise came back after the bike heated up. I am thinking maybe cam chain tensioner because the bike has the old style which have issues. But I am told that they make noise before the bike heats up and they get pressure. The bike has only 23,000 miles on it.
Any thoughts?
Chris

 

[PGlaves]

Hey I was wondering if anyone has had the same issue. I had a ticking noise coming from the engine after it heated up that sounded like valve tappets. So I set the valves and took it for a ride and the noise came back after the bike heated up. I am thinking maybe cam chain tensioner because the bike has the old style which have issues. But I am told that they make noise before the bike heats up and they get pressure. The bike has only 23,000 miles on it.
Any thoughts?
Chris

Those ticking noises can be caused by excessive rocker arm end play. The range of the spec is quite large and unless the end play is near the small end of the specification you will get a ticking sound once the oil gets to operating temperature.

 

[bc1100s]

+1 on rocker arm end play. Get your old style chain tensioner replaced - there's a reason they were updated.

 

[happy wanderer]

Replacing the cam chain tensioner is good advice regardless if it is causing the ticking or not. The original one (left side only) allows all the oil to drain out when the engine stops. It has to refill and pressurize before it works properly at startup hence the big rattling sound when it starts. This causes premature wear and failure. And when the tensioner breaks bad things happen and usually the motor comes apart shortly after... Paul Glaves has told that tale here before.

Assuming your ticking noise only starts after warmup yeah, the tappet settings are suspect. Adjust dead cold using two feeler guages for both intake and exhaust valves. A set like these are perfect for this job. Be super fussy with the adjustments. Check both sides a second time while the covers are off. They sometimes change slightly and it does not take much for them to be off.

https://www.beemerboneyard.com/wurthoilhead.html

 

[dieselyoda]

The type of oil you use can also be an influence.

I know for a distinct anecdotal factoid that Harley folks are in search for the elusive best oil to reduce their same complaint and some find the solution in Lucas, or Amsoil, or Mobil 1, or Castrol or Wlamart.

 

[Isleryder]

I will be adjusting the valves again today and have ordered the chain tensioner already. Thanks for the advise I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[PGlaves]

I will be adjusting the valves again today and have ordered the chain tensioner already. Thanks for the advise I'll let you know how I make out.

Check the end-play of the rocker arms; not just the valve stem clearances. You can have the valve clearances perfect and still get ticking noise from end-to-end rocker arm movement.

 

[lkraus]

Saw a thread on another forum that talked about this fellow's problem:

I don't know how prevalent bad push rods are, but it may be a possibility to investigate if everything else seems OK.

 

[gsaddict]

Do as suggested above. After that, if the noise persists you may have a loose pushrod tip.(happens on higher mileage machines)
The tip is pressed in and loosens when heated.
Replace with a known good one or update to the newer style

New style pushrod from hexheads - now the only style available

 

[Isleryder]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice everyone. I adjusted the rocker arms and all is quite. Another great member benifit of MOA.
Ride safe
Chris

 

[bc1100s]

Moderators: Please chalk up another success on the Big Board.