ZL1000 engine noise

furchin

furchin

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Help is needed if anyone has a very good idea what the noise is coming from my engine. A little background, on monday May 10 I started all 4 Eli's while they were sitting in my trailer. Wanted to run them 10 minutes or so 'cause they hadn't been operated in about six months. All bikes started and ran with no problems. Now on May 14th I got one of my 1000's out to take a ride. Aired up the tires and started the bike. I had this sound, like metal clanking. I referenced it to a spun crank bearing on a car, sounding similer to me. Started the bike a few more times and got the same noise. I removed valve covers and did a valve adjustment. Put everything back together and the noise is still there. Didn't expect adjusting the valves would solve anything but had to start somewhere. Any good suggestion? About 20 and 30 seconds into the video you will hear a phsst sound coming from the #1 air boot, maybe related, don't know.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvcoHDqk6tY"]YouTube- ZL 1000 engine noise.mpg[/ame]

 
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I have read of a couple of instances of the bolt holding the alternator drive coupler coming loose and making a rattling sound. Never heard the sound, so don't know if it's your problem. Hope it's something that simple.
 
Wow, that's a loud noise. Sounds louder towards the front of the motor. Does it increase with revs? Are all the exhausts getting warm? Any thing coming out the exhaust? I guess you didn't hear the noise as you bumped the motor over during the valve adjustment? Try a compression check and/or leakdown test just for peace of mind maybe? I would hate to even guess at what this might be. Keep us posted on this one. Later.
 
Jarney, yes it does increase with rpm's. Didn't want to take it too high for the video. I don't use the starter method to turn engine while doing valves. I remove the side cover and turn by hand. And I have considered a compression test for peace of mind. Have to either buy one or find someone's to borrow. Whole thing justs strikes me as totaly odd being that it was fine one day and the next time starting it I have this.
 
Can you feel any vibration with the noise?
I would try to locate it using a piece of plastic tube - as a stethoscope - press it against various parts of the motor and the other end to your ear. This may help you pin down the location a bit better?
I would drop the oil pan and see if there are any signs of a light / white metal fragments - check the oil screen too!
Very hard to diagnose from just the sound - are you sure its not the starter chain mechanism rattling on the clutch hub?
Several have had that happen - the dimple marks on the clutch hub will confirm this - if that what it is.
Wish you luck - hope its an easy fix!
 
Thanks Vinny, could be a possibility with the starter chain. You know when you think back at the line of events prior to the noise for some reason I keep thinking that I remember of the starter stopping briefly before engaging again to start the engine. But when your not thinking of specific items in your procedure and merely following routine it's hard to remember.
 
vinny said:
Would that not have shown up when Furchin did the valve clearances?
Click to expand...

Not nessasarly.

Maybe if he had run it with the valve cover off he might be able to see a sticking valve close late but not usually when turning the motor by hand.
 
The puff through the boot could be carb related. When I tried to get my 1000 running last year, it was doing that and it turned out to just be running extremely lean. It was sort of random, I posted a video somewhere on her - I think it was under the title It's Alive.... I'll see if I can find it. Later.
 
Not sure if you are getting the same puff - but here is a video of what mine was doing. Later.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFpwNjt6Xg"]YouTube- 7 12 09 100 1741[/ame]
 
Jarney, yes , the vid looks very similer to what I have. Haven't been able to see it real good like yours though. I'm going to try and buy a compression tester later today when I get up. Looked all over town yesterday and only found one. It did not have the 12mm hookup that we need, only had 14 & 18 mm. Saw on Harbor Freight that they sell what I need. 90 mile round trip to get it but hey I need to buy it so I can diagnose this blastid thing.
 
furchin said:
Jarney, yes , the vid looks very similer to what I have. Haven't been able to see it real good like yours though. I'm going to try and buy a compression tester later today when I get up. Looked all over town yesterday and only found one. It did not have the 12mm hookup that we need, only had 14 & 18 mm. Saw on Harbor Freight that they sell what I need. 90 mile round trip to get it but hey I need to buy it so I can diagnose this blastid thing.
Click to expand...

90 miles? Might be best to order it online and wait for ity to show up!
 
Yes Paul, 90 miles, but that is round trip. worked out real good as they had it on sale and I used a 20% off coupon. So out the door price was $16.95.
Item # 95187, comes with 3 hoses, 10, 12, 14 mm quick disconnects.
Also my daughter is back from college so she rode her bike along with me.
 
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