Morning all, I noticed when working on the bike at the weekend with the engine running that there is a distinct ticking noise coming from the front of the engine which increases in frequency with engine RPM. My immediate thought was that it was probably the water pump, though I think that is on the left side of the engine (as you sit on the bike)? Or could it be the oil pump? Or even valves/clearances (service due in about 4k miles), or fuel injectors (which I know are very noisy on my car for instance)? Either which way, should I be worried, or do they all do this? Many thanks.
I had the fairly standard CCT noise on my last bike (CBR600F) which was renowned for having CCT's go I am told. The noise the 'blade makes is different though. The CCT noise that the 600 made was a rattly/slapping sort of noise only at very specific RPM. The Fireblade on the other hand makes more of a ticking noise all the time at all RPM, faster or slower depending on the RPM. It's probably absolutely normal and nothing to worry about, but just wondered. The bike is still well within warranty anyway so not particularly concerned about it right now and will flag it up at the next service.
Based on some of the other posts i've been reading about the secondary injectors, I doubt it is them as they only kick in at high RPM's...? Just been looking in the service manual at what it is that is down by the part of the engine that I think is making the noise. Oil cooler is the cylindrical thing on the front of the engine to the right of the oil filter as you look at the engine from the front of the bike, and the oil pump is (internally I assume?) to the right of the oil cooler. Will nick the girlfriend's stethoscope later to see if I can get a better idea of where it's coming from, but reckon it is around there somewhere!
Is it under warranty ? If so take it straight back. Had a similar issue with my brand new CB1000R a few years ago, I couldn't find it and neither could Honda after striping the top of the engine to bits and replacing the whole exhaust system. In the end they changed the head and that solved it. It may have been something slightly over/undersize in the valve gear but I never found out. Didin't care to be honest !
Hopefully nothing as drastic, but yes it is still under warranty. I'll make a point of having a listen to another bike when I am next down at the dealership and see if "they all do that sir"...
Hopefully not but might as well get them to check it out, if work needs doing then now is the time, you don't want to be without your bike once the weather improves. BTW mine sounded like it was coming from the oil cooler but the tech at Honda said it was a noise from the top end resonating down the headers...
Interesting... as that is where I thought it was coming from too. Will get them to have a look. Cheers.
If it's towards the front you could be hearing the PAIR reeds/valves ticking away, stethoscope is best way to locate any noise.
A stethoscope sounds a really useful tool to have in your tool chest and I too have a ticking noise I would like to pin point the source off. Can anybody recommend what they use and find effective. A quick look on the web has some cheap DIY ones to mega expensive electronic ones and everything think in between.
I use a simple doctors style scope, works a treat and let's you pin point 90% of noises, that and an optical scope are two great tools to help diagnos some engine problems. Remember though an engine is a mechanical thing and when you listen to one through a scope you maybe shocked at the amount natral noise one makes.
Mine has an persistent apparently similar noise. It used to worry me too. At least 4 Honda savvy mechy-techhy types have listened at a range of revs and shrugged and said - They all sound like that. I know Arthur really knows his stuff but spending an hour taking the fairing off to run a stethoscope around the engine listening for worrying noises could cause serious mental health problems. I took the air tubes out yesterday and found some a couple of small stones and about 200 mgs of manky water in the little muffling cul- de- sac compartments down the tubes. GaryS
Agree that listening too hard will give you sleepless nights, you have to remember that an engine is a very mechanical thing, crank spinning, pistons flying up and down, clutch pack chattering round, cam chain flying half way round the motor, cams rotating at rapid speed even on idle plus the fact all those cam lobes thumping down 16 valves that then slap shut again your going to get some noise. If you want to hear just how busy then do have a listen up close
I've been having the same problem... the list of possible causes I've been given by various bikers/mechanics: 1. Cam chain tensioner 2. Stones in places they shouldn't be 3. Exhaust gasket 4. Running lean (although I run a Power Commander... and its fuel injected with a set of new injectors so doubtful it's that) If anyone else has any suggestions before I pull my exhaust apart I'd be very thankful! Also having issues with gearbox... Very loud clunk going into 1st gear and quite clunky going through the remaining... it shudders at low revs (while filtering) but I've been told this is something in the rear wheel causing this?? Argh!!
