Valve train noise?

Ken g · 05-13-2012, 11:12 AM

Hi everyone I am new to the site and new to BMW ownership. I have gotten a lot of info already from this site (thanks) . I just got a 1996 r1100rs about two months ago. I love it. It has 52,000 miles w / abs, black. Runs great. I just took a 100 mile this morning and became aware of some valve ticking at idle. I am not sure if I didn't here it before or it is new. I only have 500 miles on it so I am still getting used to it. Is it normal to hear valve noise or should I do a valve adjustment . The bike has been very well maintained .

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

Start here:

Quote:

Noob R1100S owners - Left Cam Chain Tensioner Upgrade

Those rocket scientists at BMW decided that it was a great idea to put TWO spring loaded tensioners on the SAME chain! After a few years they figured out to make one non-sprung, problem solved.

This is not even basic engineering, rather common sense 101 even my 7-month old dude would figure out!

tjs · 05-13-2012, 11:53 AM

pull the clutch lever in while at idle and see if it stops. Also worn throttle body shafts can make noise ate idle. 2cnts from tjs

Ken g · 05-13-2012, 06:30 PM

Nitro this ticking is present after a long ride not at start up.
As far as pulling in the clutch if the ticking goes away what does that tell me?
I will listen to the throttle bodies and see if I can isolate the noise . Thanks for your help

signit98 · 05-13-2012, 07:07 PM

Might be valves... I would not worry too much about it, unless it is really dominant and ever present.

Check valve clearance and see what that tells you... tensioners do have a habit of doing that as well, but it's more of a rattling sound. You hear that sound for a few seconds, every morning when you start the bike...

Other than that, ride her like they donkey she is...

SergioK · 05-15-2012, 06:14 AM

What kind of oil is in the engine? Weight? Synth/Dino? When was the last time it was changed? I've experienced varied levels of valve noise and found heavier weight oil 'cured' the issue.

bikerfish1100 · 05-15-2012, 09:52 AM

yes, some amount of valve noise is normal. however, if you do not know when they were last adjusted, or that adjustment was done over 5K miles ago- do a valve adjust. it's easy to do, and assures you that things are right in that realm.
TB shafts usually don't go out until closer to 100K miles- but also easy enough to check. place your finger on side of TB, providing external support to the shaft. if the ticking goes away- that's your culprit. supposedly, the right side is more prone to failure than the left. or vice versa, i dunno.

Ken g · 05-15-2012, 04:45 PM

Sergiok the oil was changed by the previous owner 500 miles ago. I am not sure what type he used but I know he used BMW gear oil and maintained the bike with great care. Don't want to start anything but what type and weight of oil do you like?
Bikerfish , I will try your trick with the throttle body and see if that is we're the ticking is comming from. It is dead quiet at start up and when it's cold . I didn't notice the ticking untill I took it for a long ride . I will pay more atention next ride. The carbs were sync 500 miles ago don't know about the valves.

Guest24 · 05-15-2012, 04:53 PM

Ken, do you have access to a automotive stethoscope. If so, you can pinpoint the area of the tick.

bikerfish1100 · 05-15-2012, 05:01 PM

Ken, reasonable money would say that the valves were done at the same time as the oil/TB servicing.
do not ask about brand oil- it's a swamp of an answer.
just use 20W50, SG or SH rated. best option tofind that is to get a m/c specific oil. some like dino, oters synth, still others split the diff and go with a semi-synth (my preference).
depending upon where in NY you are, maybe one of the local pelicans can catch up with you and give it a listen.
from your description, i'd guess that the valves are a tad on the loose side. that is not necessarilya bad thing.

SergioK · 05-15-2012, 05:03 PM

Not to start an oil thread... then again, it's been a while since we've had one and who knows the fireworks that will fly if we go there... I've usually ran Mobil1 Synthetic 15w-50 automotive grade oil. Anyway, it meets the recommended specs in the owner's manual.

Like I said, my bike made a ticking noise from the valves once in a while and I attribute it to the synthetic oil. Kinda of irksome but I only heard it when I came to a stop... so, no stopping and problem solved!

Ken g · 05-15-2012, 06:46 PM

Nail24, yes I do have a stethoscope and I was going to go that route the next time I heard the tic . I also only heard it when I stoped. I would love to meet up with some local pelican members. I am on long island any one close?
This is my first bike and I must say I love it. Not sure what I am going to do oil wise but I appreciate your input. I changed the trany gear lube with redline shockproof based on what I read here. It made a big difference the trany shifts much smoother now. I really wanted to check for metal in the box. It was perfect, no metal shavings

The bike is a 1996 the trans. Is black not silver , does that mean it is the upgraded box?

Ken g · 05-15-2012, 06:48 PM

Nail24, yes I do have a stethoscope and I was going to go that route the next time I heard the tic . I also only heard it when I stoped. I would love to meet up with some local pelican members. I am on long island any one close?
This is my first bike and I must say I love it. Not sure what I am going to do oil wise but I appreciate your input. I changed the trany gear lube with redline shockproof based on what I read here. It made a big difference the trany shifts much smoother now. I really wanted to check for metal in the box. It was perfect, no metal shavings

The bike is a 1996 the trans. Is black not silver , does that mean it is the upgraded box?

hugzy · hugzy's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

Not to start an oil thread... then again, it's been a while since we've had one and who knows the fireworks that will fly if we go there... I've usually ran Mobil1 Synthetic 15w-50 automotive grade oil. Anyway, it meets the recommended specs in the owner's manual.

Like I said, my bike made a ticking noise from the valves once in a while and I attribute it to the synthetic oil. Kinda of irksome but I only heard it when I came to a stop... so, no stopping and problem solved!

I thought my R1100s made more valve noise when I put synthetic Motorex Boxer 15/50 in it !

My throttle bodys, well at least one of them also makes alot of ticking noise that at one time I thought was coming from the valves. Again only at idle.

Joe Technician · 05-20-2012, 10:20 AM

Greetings Mates
Joe Technician here,(not a moto tech), I have a 2002 R1150RT that also makes a ticking noise I have not ever been able to fully locate the source but have been riding it for the past 8 years. I did a valve adjustment and that helped a bit, put in 20/50 that also helped, but occassionally I still hear this tick after a long day of motoring. Still searching but like the others stated you can keep riding, I will put my steth in the trunk and go for a ride.(once I finish the brakes that is).

Noblehops · 05-20-2012, 02:04 PM

What about the lash on the rocker arm ends? Could that account for this noise if it were tight?

N.

bikerfish1100 · 05-20-2012, 04:40 PM

normally, tight = quiet, and loose = noisy.

Ken g · 05-20-2012, 05:46 PM

Well I checked with the stethoscope after a long ride. It is comming from the valves. Throttle body is quiet. I will do a valve adjustment next week and keep you posted. Thanks for all the advise

Noblehops · 05-20-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerfish1100

normally, tight = quiet, and loose = noisy.

Ahh, ok, thanks for clarifying BF. OP might want to check that in addition to valves.

N.