What's that ticking noise?

[91Vette]

I just got my 01 SV650S (still new) about two months back. On the ride home I noticed a peculiar noise, especially when I am on the throttle to maintain speed. The noise is pretty hard to describe. It's a bit high pitched and sounds like some sort of chain noise. I checked the tension and lubed the chain - the noise is still there. A few people have told me that this is normal for V-twins.

There is also a ticking at idle?

I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks.

[Golden_Eternity]

http://www.svrider.com/tips/ticking.htm ?

[Punkbrad]

i heard the tick is normal, i've yet to notice.. however... im getting a teeny tiny backfire every now and then, usually at low rpm's, and its barley a gurgle, but i hear and feel the engine backfiring. i heard that it may be a rich mixture... i dont notice the discolorization of the exhaust, but i'm not 100% sure what tell tale signs to look for... any input is appreciated... :confused:

[Burst]

The ticking is the cam chain tensioner. It is supposed to automatically tighten the chain but for whatever reason it does not do such a great job. I would not worry about it too much. I have got close to 17,000 miles on my bike and the ticking is still there, never had anyone look at it, ride my bike pretty hard in the twisties and never had a problem.

As far as looking to find out whether or not hte bike is running rich, start it up let it run for a few minutes then pull the spark plugs right after shutting it off. If they are wet you are running rich. You will have to remove the radiator bolts and horn to get to the front plug. (do this before you run the engine for a few minutes)

[91Vette]

My 01 SVS has fallen victim to the nasty cam chain tensioner tick. There have been a few times where it get's a bit loud. When I took the bike in for service I was "assured" that this was normal and not to worry about it.

My question is, what has everyone here done? Have you insisted to get the tensioner replaced? Do you live with the ticking? Or did you buy a sweet pipe and can no longer hear it?

Thanks

Oops ... should have posted this in the Maintenance Section ...

[rick77f]

Eventually the chain will stretch ever so slightly, and the tensioner will ratchet to the next tension position. The sound will magically disappear and then cycle again in due time.

[91Vette]

Thanks for the reply. You're probably right about the noise going away and then cycling back again ...

When I get the bike out from storage, I think I'll see how bad the ticking is and go from there. I have an extended warranty, so nothing has to be done immediately.

Thanks again.

[mencius]

Just heard a troubling noise on my bike. It's a mildl loud high pitched metal clinking/tapping noise in time with the engine. It's emminating from the front of the bike (somewhere in the general vecinity of behind the radiator). From this vauge and ambigious description can anyone help me to figure out what might be going on here? ANY HELP

[poopoohead]

okay new problem, i have this new clicking sound coming from my bike it clicks faster as i go faster, my buddie said he has the same sound from his 03 r6 just recently and someone told him something like "its your cam tensioner" what is that and where is it on the bike? the sound seems like it is coming from the bottom of the bike towards the front. any ideas folks?

[Noahrob]

It can be a cam tensioner, or even the cam chain itself. I have not taken apart my SV yet, so am not 100% sure what the tensioner looks like, but there ain't much to it. If the chain get too lose, the timing will get off (has to be pretty darn lose), but it will slap around in it's channel. When it hits the tensioner it can click. I have the same deal on my 2003 SV. My solution has always been to go faster so I don't hear it.

[poopoohead]

you think about taking it in to the dealer for a check on that. im taking mine in on thursday ill kepp you posted on what it is.

[TIE_Pilot]

I hear a clicky around 6k, not before or after... usually I don't notice it, especially when I have the earplugs in...

[terp21]

not sure if this goes in the octane thread, let paul decide that...

i have noticed that after i shutoff the bike and get off, there is some pinging sound that i cannot isolate. is this normal? is it an octane thing? i use 91. in the octane thread people talk about knocking or pinging while riding, i have not noticed this, only when shut down. if not an octane thing than should i be worried?

[racinteach]

exhaust pipe expansion...especially when cold outside

[chrdog]

the high pitched sound around 6 large is supposedly something in the clutch (says the tech at the local bike shop). happened to me at 4k when i was breakign it in, then 5k, now around 6k it makes a high pitched noise, it never does go away im guessin.:confused:

the other noise is the cam chain tensioners, like all the rest said already

[EastcoastSVS]

I have about 13000 miles now and im starting to hear a constant ticking sound from the engine. Im guessing this means its time for valve adjustments but the maintenance schedule doesnt say anything about when they should be readjusted. Anyone have some input?

[Ralakan]

Just the other day I was riding to work and I noticed that when I'm idle my bike "ticks" in beat with the engine. If i rev a bit it seems to speed up then go away (or maybe I just can't hear it over the engine anymore.) I did a quick check and didn't see anything really out of the ordinary (oil was low, but I refilled it.) I'm kind of hoping something is just contacting the frame and ticking when the bike vibrates but I'm really not sure and wasn't able to find anything. Any suggestions on what to look for or should I just take it in ?

Thanks in advance!

-Ral

[doub1etap]

See this thread:
http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=573

It's probably just your cam chain tensioners. Mine's done it for the last 19000 miles or so... Probably nothing to worry about. If you want, maybe show it to another SV guy in San Diego.

I sense a merge.

[cyclox]

while we're talking about ticking noises, my bike makes a tick-tick-tick noise (no, no bombs in there.... i hope) when I push it around in neutral when the engine is off...

[Ralakan]

Originally posted by doub1etap
See this thread:
http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=573

It's probably just your cam chain tensioners. Mine's done it for the last 19000 miles or so... Probably nothing to worry about. If you want, maybe show it to another SV guy in San Diego.

I sense a merge.

whoops, need to use the search feature before i post next time :eek:

anyway, cam chain tensioners? hmm, any way to easily verify that?

[doub1etap]

I think there are a number of bike mechanics on the board. I don't know how close you are to Poway, but you could have pinkyblake (http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=1792) look at it.

Cheers

[ramme]

I was getting a bit worried when I heard that ticking noise from my SV. Glad to hear that this is quite normal.

/ramme

[pAint]

I have the same ticking noise at around 5-6krpm. Sounds like its comming from somewhere under the gas tank. I ticks both in gear and neutral. Can someone help?? Where is the cam chain tensioners located?

[linp]

See page 3-36 and 3-37 of the Shop Manual (http://www.socalsvriders.org/download.php), Chapter 3.

Page 3-31 shows them pretty clear too -- coming out from the clutch cover into the two cylinders.

[pupet89440]

Last week I had problem with my bike where i suddenly lost power and it would not stay on. The problem was accompanied by a ticking that started when it lost power. After alot of reading/research and tinkering I finally made a sound clip to see if this sound and symptoms were familiar to anyone. Things Ive done:

1) Checked the oil, was a lil too low for comfort but dont think/hope i damage something due to it.

2) Tried listens to the engine with a stethiscope. I wanna say it was the front bank but the sounds were so close I really cant say for sure. It was definitely more noisey on the cam chain side of the banks.

3) Pulled the starter for a quick visiual check after killing the battery starting the bike the the above inspection.

4) Changed the spark plugs. Old ones had a black sooty residue on them and smelled a lil rich to me but i dont have much to compare it too, havent sniffed alot of spark plugs

5) Checked my carburator for loose component like needles. I recently rejetted the bike after adding muzzy's full race exhaust system.

6) Disconnected the tach after reading it runs off the front bank and a short can make it fowl up.

After jump starting the weak battery it seemed to idle a lil better, but riding it the power was definitely not there, as if im running on one bank.

7) Made the following sound clips for all to enjoy:

Sound Clip 1 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%201.mp3) (32 seconds @ 129KB):
The ticking sound is evident the whole while but it become a little more clear around 14-17 seconds in to the clip when i bring the mic a lil closer to the engine.

Sound Clip 2 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%202.mp3) (1:00 @ 235 KB):
About 31 second into the clip the ticking begins.

Sound Clip 3 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%203.mp3) (1:59 @ 469 KB):
The ticking is there but low and stops about 17 second into the file. It can be heard again about 1:07 seconds into the clip when i blip the throttle a lil hard. Once again the the ticking comes back one with about 4-5 second left in the clip.

I can send the sound clips to anyone who is willing to listen. If you can find a way to download it as opposed to playing it in the web browser itll be easier to locate the sound

[orangetrak]

...but some SV's have had a problem with the front rod bearing. This was supposed to be limited to a certain range of VIN's from 1999 only, but some other SV's of later years had the same problem. It was traced to an incorrectly/missing oil baffle. Some people that wheelied their bike for an extended time may have starved the front cylinder also. I heard your sound clips and there is definately something wrong. Did you ride it through heavy rain recently? Is the front cylinder plug wet, allowing the motor to run on just one plug?

Is this more of a knock or a tick? It also could be the cam chain or the tensioner.

Maybe take it to a dealer for just an evaluation.

Good luck and let us know what the problem is/was.

Cheers, Doug

[pupet89440]

Originally posted by pupet89440
Last week I had problem with my bike where i suddenly lost power and it would not stay on. The problem was accompanied by a ticking that started when it lost power. After alot of reading/research and tinkering I finally made a sound clip to see if this sound and symptoms were familiar to anyone. Things Ive done:

1) Checked the oil, was a lil too low for comfort but dont think/hope i damage something due to it.

2) Tried listens to the engine with a stethiscope. I wanna say it was the front bank but the sounds were so close I really cant say for sure. It was definitely more noisey on the cam chain side of the banks.

3) Pulled the starter for a quick visiual check after killing the battery starting the bike the the above inspection.

4) Changed the spark plugs. Old ones had a black sooty residue on them and smelled a lil rich to me but i dont have much to compare it too, havent sniffed alot of spark plugs

5) Checked my carburator for loose component like needles. I recently rejetted the bike after adding muzzy's full race exhaust system.

6) Disconnected the tach after reading it runs off the front bank and a short can make it fowl up.

After jump starting the weak battery it seemed to idle a lil better, but riding it the power was definitely not there, as if im running on one bank.

7) Made the following sound clips for all to enjoy:

Sound Clip 1 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%201.mp3) (32 seconds @ 129KB):
The ticking sound is evident the whole while but it become a little more clear around 14-17 seconds in to the clip when i bring the mic a lil closer to the engine.

Sound Clip 2 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%202.mp3) (1:00 @ 235 KB):
About 31 second into the clip the ticking begins.

Sound Clip 3 (http://www.lunicadisson.com/sound%20clip%203.mp3) (1:59 @ 469 KB):
The ticking is there but low and stops about 17 second into the file. It can be heard again about 1:07 seconds into the clip when i blip the throttle a lil hard. Once again the the ticking comes back one with about 4-5 second left in the clip.

I can send the sound clips to anyone who is willing to listen. If you can find a way to download it as opposed to playing it in the web browser itll be easier to locate the sound

So the shop took a look at my bike and reported the following:
- the oil level was low again.
- removed the valve covers and found no obvious signs of damage or wear there.
- Both cylinders had similar pressure ratings at 150bs
- Identified the source of the knock is coming from the rear cylinder
- Its likely the bike suffered from oil starvation and the problem is most likely in the piston and/or rod

They would have to dig further to find the source of the problem which requires removing the engine which is more labor cost. I told them to stop there because any further I would be approaching the point of no return. IF it turns out to be the piston and/or rod they predicted the cost of repair to be anywhere btween $700 to $1500, depending on what they find the source to be.

My conclusion/dilemma:
- Seems the bike is burning alot of oil for whatever reason. I added about a quart of oil the night it broke down bringing it pass the full line. Only starting the bike few times trying to diagnose the problem, never riding it for extended periods of time.

- 150lbs of pressure in the cylinders seem to be a little low according to haynes manual. 156ish was the limit for service and a heathly engine being 168ish, if i remember correctly.

Is it worth the effort to rebuild this engine or just find a used one somewhere. If i decide to rebuild it is it worth the trouble to go with a 700cc overbore kit? Or should I just cut my loses and move my way up the ladder and get something a lil bigger. What do you guys think?

FYI
I did not abuse this bike, Ive only had it for a month. I took a gamble in buying it and it seems I lost. I bought the bike from a tow company and no one claimed ownership. There was some tank damage and he replaced it along with some other things. The frame was not damaged at all and and he had faith the engine was strong. Now thats my story and im stickin to it.

[theob]

I was searching for a possible cause for the ticking on my '03 SVS and something I read suggested it was a noisy cam chain tensioner, but that it never led to any problems. Anyone had any experience with this or had it replaced? My bike is still relatively new (600 mi), and I wanted to get any problems sorted out early, especially since the bike is still under warranty.

Thanks

[theob]

oops. didn't search the previous posts enough. sorry. got my answer tho.

[McTwig]

i have 6800 miles on my svs and about 100 miles ago i noticed a buzzing/rattling sound comming from the engine. it accually sounds like its comming from the top of the engine. im just wondering if anybody knows what it could be. i thought i remembered reading a post here about that a while back but i couldnt find it when i just did a search. im wondering if its the cam chain or tensioner. and also, i was was wondering if that would be covered under warranty? the only thing ive changed on my bike is the pipe and added a power commander, does that void the warranty?

thanks for the input,
andrew

[Lime-Light]

when I hit around 6000, 6100 RPMs I hear a rattle, dont know what it is....

[pupet89440]

Originally posted by pupet89440
So the shop took a look at my bike and reported the following:
- the oil level was low again.
- removed the valve covers and found no obvious signs of damage or wear there.
- Both cylinders had similar pressure ratings at 150bs
- Identified the source of the knock is coming from the rear cylinder
- Its likely the bike suffered from oil starvation and the problem is most likely in the piston and/or rod

They would have to dig further to find the source of the problem which requires removing the engine which is more labor cost. I told them to stop there because any further I would be approaching the point of no return. IF it turns out to be the piston and/or rod they predicted the cost of repair to be anywhere btween $700 to $1500, depending on what they find the source to be.

My conclusion/dilemma:
- Seems the bike is burning alot of oil for whatever reason. I added about a quart of oil the night it broke down bringing it pass the full line. Only starting the bike few times trying to diagnose the problem, never riding it for extended periods of time.

- 150lbs of pressure in the cylinders seem to be a little low according to haynes manual. 156ish was the limit for service and a heathly engine being 168ish, if i remember correctly.

Is it worth the effort to rebuild this engine or just find a used one somewhere. If i decide to rebuild it is it worth the trouble to go with a 700cc overbore kit? Or should I just cut my loses and move my way up the ladder and get something a lil bigger. What do you guys think?

FYI
I did not abuse this bike, Ive only had it for a month. I took a gamble in buying it and it seems I lost. I bought the bike from a tow company and no one claimed ownership. There was some tank damage and he replaced it along with some other things. The frame was not damaged at all and and he had faith the engine was strong. Now thats my story and im stickin to it.

Update...I found the problem.

I guess this is what they mean by a spun bearing.
http://www.lunicadisson.com/images/sv_rod.jpg

Anyway this is what I found after about 1.5 weeks of ripping this engine apart. This is the front connecting rod and bearing. From the discoloration it looks like it got pretty hot in there. The crankshaft journal is scored a little too, not obvious from this view. According the the haynes manual, any signs of that the crankshaft needs to be replaced. Dont, know what to do from here.

So does anyone have a spare crankshaft they want to give away?

[smokescreen]

looks like it's time for a big bore kit! yay!

[D.T.]

I had a ticking noise coming from the tank on my last Yamaha and I found it was the vacuum valve for the fuel valve. I thought I'd just mention it so you could check it out instead of the motor. Unless you know for sure it's from the motor. You can put your ear up against the tank to confirm.

Anyway, there was a little check vavle in the vacuum valve that wasn't seating correctly. Just unscrew the fitting and remove junk from the seat.

Abnormal ticking from any motor is usually not good.. :(

[DOC]

Originally posted by pupet89440
Update...I found the problem.

I guess this is what they mean by a spun bearing.
http://www.lunicadisson.com/images/sv_rod.jpg


Oh yeah! Serious oil starvation, someone was doing extended wheelies.
DoC

[a1chuy]

My 03 sv has started to make a clicking sound that seems to be coming from the front sproket area when I first get going and when I start slowing down. does anyone else have this problem ? Is it a problem ? The bike only has about 4000 miles and the chain is not loose or dry..

[chrdog]

ill go out on a limb and say its the cam chain tensioner. its notorious for making sounds that make you think your bike is falling apart.

btw, your drive chain SHOULD be somewhat loose (somewhere in the neighborhood of an inch and a half of slack), that is unless you like losing HP, putting undue strees on your countershaft bearing, and hurting your sprockets.:cool:

on a last note, prepare for merger!

[Silver6]

Happened to me today, too. I bought my '03 (leftover) in mid-May of this year and it now has 4200 miles on it. Just today I heard a rattling noise that sounded like the chain. When I got home I checked the tension and alignment and it looked good. For extra measure I even lubed the chain. I went out for a ride again and it did seem like it could've been the cam chain because it was higher in pitch, but definitely sounded like a rattling chain. It isn't constant, but sporadic, so I'm thinking that it might be OK.

Any problems with this? Should it be tensioned or is it common? My bike is my only transportation so I hope that if it's a problem I can get to it quick before it becomes too serious.

[SV650sk3]

My bike has been making crazy ass noises since I bought it. :confused:

[soulofadra6o]

i just noticed a clicking sound last night to....hear it when i would take off from a stop..maybe my chain is to tight u think? i think there's like 3/4 slack last time i adjusted it around...800 miles ago maybe

i dont know what it is..the bike doesnt seem to have any serious lack of performance so im not to worried bout it yet

[bloodclot]

ok heres the cam chain noise problem, but with a twist..........

as some of you may know, i recently bored my engine out to 700. well that went fine, and i didnt have any problems. until last week.

i was riding pretty hard (triple digits) with my friend on his 600rr and we decided to stop at a bum-fuck-nowhere truck stop to wash the bugs off of our helmets. thats when i heard it.

a ticking sound that shows up at low rpm. as i rev, it matched engine speed until about 4k, then i either can hear it anymore or it goes away. i figured it was probably that tensioner thing that everyone bitches about, and it just finally caught up with me. nothing to really worry about.

well, i pull the valve covers off and checked things out, just to make sure. low and behold, SEVERAL of the bolts that hold my cams down were loose. (suzukis torque specs can eat my ass :mad: ).

so i tightened the bolts (just a bit more than suzuki says to. bastards.........) and that made most of the sound disappear. but its still there.

so here is what im worried about. do you think that its really the tensioner? or damage to the valve train form those loose bolts?

[Silver6]

Originally posted by SV650sk3
My bike has been making crazy ass noises since I bought it. :confused:


Allow me to offer my personal solution to this "is this noise normal?" problem...

~Ear Plugs~

Originally posted by soulofadra6o
i just noticed a clicking sound last night to....hear it when i would take off from a stop..maybe my chain is to tight u think? i think there's like 3/4 slack last time i adjusted it around...800 miles ago maybe

i dont know what it is..the bike doesnt seem to have any serious lack of performance so im not to worried bout it yet


3/4" is too tight.

[soulofadra6o]

hmm do u think i should losen my chain? that ticking noise still resides, although i did not do anything to try to stop it, i've been weary of riding it...anyone feel like a maintenence day :D

[Lockers]

Just be careful torquing your camshaft retainer bolts... Although they're special 'high strength' bolt's. They'll shear rather easily. At about 15ft/lb in fact. Had that happen to me last weekend.. Fortunately my occupation requires me to have the tools and skills to remove the thread without fucking the head.

[dillweed]

I've got a tick coming from the right side of the engine......but only at idle, and when the bike is leaned over to the right. I think it's the clutch basket.

[soulofadra6o]

i noticed the ticking noise only happens when im gear and i take off..doesnt occur when the bike's in neutral and i have my ear by the tank trying to listen to it...which leads me to believe my chain being to tight might have done something to the drivetrain..hmmm...fuck

[jroymcd]

when i open the throttle, rev it a little and close the throttle i hear a light knock. it only does it once and only once the throttle is almost closed again . anybody? bike only has 3000 miles on it.

[smokescreen]

jroymcd, that's probly a lite backfire

[nonplus]

Mine ticks too, sort of. I don't hear it so much as feel it in my footpegs. It's like someone is tapping them with a hammer a few times a second around 4.5k rpm. Only happens in 3rd gear and up.

This the same ticking everyone is talking about with the cam chain tensioner?

[daz]

MY TL S does it and iv had my tapets set and all checked out ok. Im now told that TL is for ticks loudly so if the SV is the same motor then same prob. Its quiet when cold just when it gets warm.:(

[stingray]

as long as oil level is good, it's rare to have spun bearings unless you're racing the engine or doing prolonged wheelies.

i wouldn't worry or replace the CCT's w manual APE's. while they will make the ticking go away, they aren't in the most convenient places to wrench on and you have to adjust both of them every 7-8k mi or so. PITA and not worth the effort unless you REALLY want the ticking to go away. if it were on an modern I4, you only need 1 and it's easier to mess though i wouldn't get a manual CCT for that either.