[BradS]

Hello all,

I was looking for some advice on possible issues on my bike. I have been hearing somewhat of a ticking noise coming from my engine. At first I checked the cam chain tensioner and adjusted it, however the noise did not go away. I then checked my valves, I believe 2-3 were out of spec technically, but they were not off by much. I don't believe the valves being off that little would create this noise but I am not a mechanic. I will upload a video of the bike running. Once the bike a running at idle speed it is not really noticable. However, once the bike revs past 3500 rpms then the noise is definitely there. Once the bike is colder that noise is also louder then when the engine is warmer 180+ degrees.

I recently took the bike to the kawi dealership to diagnose the problem. Spark plugs were replaced and a compression test was done which turned out good. He believes the issue is the cam chain itself. To replace the cam chain it would be 2000 for parts and labor. Sounded a bit odd for this to happen with less than 10,000 miles. I did purchase a APE manual cam chain tensioner however that did not fix the issue.

If anyone has any suggestions or has dealt with a similar issue, it would be much appreciated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUWauBPDgfo

 

[Manolo]

thats the infamous kawi tick. i have the same noise on mine. i plan on taking it to the dealership i usually deal and have them replace the cam chain and the chain guides.

replacing the tensioner doesnt mean you fixed the problem. it'll come back later on down the road and then you'll have to add more tension. by doing that you're wearing the cam chain guide more and more.

 

[oic0]

If the cam chain tensioner fixed it then it was the cam chain slapping around. If he tensions it correctly, why would it wear out the guides faster than the stocker?
If it were me I'd probably clean the auto tensioner and put it back in. If it got quiet when it self adjusted then would mean it was stuck before or between clicks. I would be too lazy to keep up with a manual tensioner

 

[BradS]

I apologize I miss typed that. The APE CCT did NOT fix the issue. I continued to tighten it but the noise was still there.

 

[oic0]

Use a mechanics stethoscope or the screwdriver as a stethoscope method to see if you can find exactly where the sound is coming from.

 

[Mpower]

For some reason I cannot watch the video to listen to the noise.
Did this noise just appear or has it built up over time? I'm just curious as I've noticed that mine with 9000miles has a slight ticking from cold which has appeared and also noticeable when riding a certain rpm. At the moment it doesn't bother me as its only minor but just wondering how long I might have until it gets like yours.

 

[ZX6ARE]

Holy hell i only hope and pray my kawi never makes that sound. That sounds awfully louder than the regular kawi tick.. Theres no way that can be normal

 

[PowerGroove]

I don't think it's the CCT. Sounds like a valve slapping to me based on what I heard in the video. Stethoscope that sucker and see if you can pinpoint where it's coming from.

You mention the valves being checked? Who checked them? And when?

 

[PowerGroove]

And seriously... if someone wants to charge you $2000 to do a cam chain replament. ... find another place to take it. That's absurd. Or just buy an engine on ebay. I got mine for $900.

 

[ZX6ARE]

I don't think it's the CCT. Sounds like a valve slapping to me based on what I heard in the video. Stethoscope that sucker and see if you can pinpoint where it's coming from.

You mention the valves being checked? Who checked them? And when?

I agree, when i dropped a valve and blew the motor in my STI it sounded just like that. and also got louder as the rpms were raised.

 

[oic0]

I agree, find a better shop. You want to find a crusty old motorcycle mechanic who looks like he might retire next week and can tell what it is in 5 seconds from sound alone. NOTHING beats experience when trying to trouble shoot a problem. Its always easier to figure out what something is and how to fix it when its something you've run in to a dozen times before.
If it were me, being poor as I am, I'd probably be stuck with the head on my dining room table, a manual in one hand, a micrometer in the other.

 

[LarryJ]

Btw, tight (out of spec) valves would reduce ticking, not make it worse.

 

[BradS]

Unfortunately it is the only Kawi dealership in town. The mechanic seemed like a younger guy which i would have preferred an older more experienced one. They quoted me that price since the kawi spec book requires you to drop the motor and crack it open in order to get to part of the guide rods. For that kind of money, I will do it myself or else replace the motor for cheaper then they would charge!

The valves were checked by my brother and I over the winter and a few were slightly out of spec. I plan to shim them this weekend and see if that helps.

 

[LarryJ]

Again, if valves are tight, they tick less. Shimming to put them back in spec, theoretically, will do nothing or make the noise worse. Some bikes just tick, but run amd run without issues.

My buddy's 04 GSXR600 ticks and has just shy of 50,000 miles on it. It still pulls strong and fires up every time, even after having sit for months. The noise is annoying, but it doesn't impact the operation of the bike.

On the other hand, my Kawi has 55,000 miles on it and doesn't tick at all, and that's even without fairings, which tend to dampen ticking noises. So, I believe it's luck of the draw. I don't know what exactly causes this noise, and after years of reading, I've found nobody to say, "oh, yep, the tick comes from X and can be fixed by doing Y and Z."

Good luck though. Let us know if you figure it out.

 

[oic0]

Again, if valves are tight, they tick less. Shimming to put them back in spec, theoretically, will do nothing or make the noise worse.

Unless they messed up the first time and shimmed one incorrectly.

 

[LarryJ]

Sure, anything is possible. As the miles stack up, valves get tighter. I've never heard of loose valves. That's the point I'm trying to make.