Author Topic: Engine rattle (Read 5967 times)

Diskbrake · « **on:** October 17, 2005, 09:47:36 PM »

Hiya
Theres a rattle in the engine but only when its cold, after about the first 10min of riding it stops or if i leave it idleing and it warms up on its own. I just want to know if it could be a large problem or nothing to worry about.
Thanx Ian

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2005, 01:16:37 AM »

Where in the engine is the rattle?

Something that goes away when warm might be the valves (up on top, sounding like rapid ticks) and if that goes away when warm, it may be an indicator your valve lash is too tight as you should always have light ticking coming from the valvetrain.

Might also be drive tangs on the clutch plates rattling in the basket (on the lower right, near the brake pedal) and when warm and the oil thickens it goes away. Eventually, this noise will stay. The cure here, obviously, is new clutch plates.

Does it do it in motion and static, or only in motion? Could it be chain noise from links that are stiff and loosen up enough to silence are running down the road a bit?

Diskbrake · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2005, 07:01:51 AM »

The noise is from the very top of the engine and can be heard when idle and in motion.

ray nielsen · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2005, 11:20:53 AM »

I could be the automatic cam chain adjuster. On my Bandit 1200 I ride quite conservatively and at lower RPMs.

When this noise appears every so often I simply warm her up completely and then head to about 6500 - 7000 RPM for a few seconds. Apparently the higher engine speed allows the cam chain adjuster to operate more easily and when I return to lower engine speeds the noise is gone for a few thousand miles.

Diskbrake · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 07:22:15 PM »

How would i go about fixing this rattle......... if it can be fixed without taking the engine to bits

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 07:45:39 PM »

Do you know just what's rattling yet?

Diskbrake · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2005, 05:07:57 AM »

Its from the top of the engine and everyone says (hows heared it) that its the cams.

Daytona · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2005, 10:42:46 AM »

Has the valve clearance been checked recently? If it has, or not, sounds like one or more with way to much ! Or scoring of the cam's. Pull the cover and take a look! 99 it probably needs to be done anyway! Or if it has been done recently maybe one came apart! Its the area to check first. What kind of oil do you use? changed anything lately? We should have a list of questions members can fill in answers, to make diagnosing these things easier!! The more info you can add helps. How long have you had the bike? Has it been raced? This could be a timing knock or carbs out of sinc! or a gazillion other things but the valve check is the start!

Diskbrake · « **Reply #8 on:** October 21, 2005, 08:18:13 PM »

This is mind boggelling

Am not the kind of guy who can take his bike to bits (scrubby little 18y student) i dont have the knowledge.
Should i take the bike to a garage, theres a really good one close by 'Rocket Center' one of the largest in the UK

there really good.

Daytona · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:43:34 AM »

Quote from: "Diskbrake"

This is mind boggelling
Am not the kind of guy who can take his bike to bits (scrubby little 18y student) i dont have the knowledge.
Should i take the bike to a garage, theres a really good one close by 'Rocket Center' one of the largest in the UK there really good.

Well if your totaly a none tool user i would say so! If you change spark plugs and can read! removing the cover and checking the clearance is in your realm of capability! Other wise noise that comes and goes with changing temp is a sign of some thing that can be and needs to be adjusted. If all looks good on the cams, & adj! Get a louder pipe and ride it like you stole it!!!!

Diskbrake · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2005, 08:39:23 PM »

I can change a spark plug but am too lazy to read

I can give it a go, al i have to re-move is the top cover right

Daytona · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2005, 09:54:41 PM »

Quote from: "Diskbrake"

I can change a spark plug but am too lazy to read
I can give it a go, al i have to re-move is the top cover right

Ok then click about in this site for all the info you need! The only tool's you will need other than what is in the tool pouch is feeler gauges to check the clearance. Look for pits on cam lobs and don't adj anything if its within spec. this link is a big help. remember don't force anything.

http://www.banditsrus.com/fastlarry/bandit_tips.htm

Diskbrake · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2005, 05:54:56 PM »

I have been reading into how engines work etc and now know what the rattle prob is, its either the timing chain or the cams.
There is always the small rapid clicking noises when the engine is cold but from time to time there is a louder slower hitting kind of noise which i think is the timing chain.

If these noises are what i think, could they cause a problem or do they just happen to bandits as they get older.

PaulVS · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2005, 08:04:58 PM »

Just for giggles... try a tankful of higher octance fuel before you do any engine work.

Daytona · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2005, 10:01:19 PM »

Quote from: "Diskbrake"

I have been reading into how engines work etc and now know what the rattle prob is, its either the timing chain or the cams.
There is always the small rapid clicking noises when the engine is cold but from time to time there is a louder slower hitting kind of noise which i think is the timing chain.
If these noises are what i think, could they cause a problem or do they just happen to bandits as they get older.

Rapid clicking YES! Slower hitting NO!!! Now to throw another monkey wrench in the works! I had a LTD 1000 Kawi a while ago. I put a bunch of miles on it for those years. They weren't half as well made for longevity as the Bandit is, the valve train was a noisy problem with those bikes! I spent a fortune on valve adj, (a much bigger job than the Bandit) shims of a multitude of thicknesses were needed to get it rite. I found out later that the cam chain tensioner was the problem for those bikes. I rode it another 20k miles with a Kerker exhaust sys that covered up the noise, with no problems at all. It ran better the day it was sold than the day i bought it! My B12 i have now started a bit of noise the other day! I adjusted the valves that was the first time in 19000 miles, really didn't need it, it ran great, i thought, just wasn't as quiet as it used to be, ok live with it. Then i read on this site about the PO Man's carb sync! It made such cense to me and was something to do for less than 5 bucks why not! The bike shops always say, have the carbs been synchronize? I gave it a shot and man what a diff!! It idled smoother, purred like it did new, because of the balance. Now i tell anyone who has a problem of anykind! if it runs, start with a carb sync and go from there. Your noise could be (slim) from this! YOU NEED TO CHUM UP WITH A FEW GEAR HEADS! That like to tinker! I wrench and i sure hate to do a job after some novice has screwed it up good! But i still say that with the pictures that can be had on line these days, clear instructions, this great site! if you can change spark plugs you can do these tasks. Just don't adj anything before triple checking it, and don't force it! It fit before it came apart!!!