ENgine Noise

[RooK]

Thanks for the info NITEBELL, after reading some of these posts I was starting to get nervous. Only had mine for a week!

Something mine has, when I start it at cold for about 10 minutes I get this knocking (sounds like a loose rocker on an old motor) at 1600 to 1750RPM. It goes away after riding it a bit.
For now, my fix is top ride it either faster or lower and I don't hear it lol.

When I'll get this valve clearance tuneup I'll have em take a look at it.

 

[RiderRocketman]

I think the majority of you guys are talking about the normal cam chain noise. You can hear it more when the bike is cold and quiets some after the oil gets moving around. My bike has had this rattle since new.

When the noise gets unusually loud or excessive though, you should get it checked. Cam chains can get loose and cam sprockets have failed.

Triumph has a different sprocket part for newer engines. How do I know? I had to look cuz mine F'n broke. Most likely because of the extra stress of running the supercharger drive combined with the older sprocket design. Cam sprocket broke a tooth. Timing got messed and bike is down for a good while to get the valves, cam chain and cam shafts inspected. Great luck I have this year. First, clutch failure and now a much more serious cam failure.

 

[Captain Bob]

I think the majority of you guys are talking about the normal cam chain noise. You can hear it more when the bike is cold and quiets some after the oil gets moving around. My bike has had this rattle since new.

When the noise gets unusually loud or excessive though, you should get it checked. Cam chains can get loose and cam sprockets have failed.

Triumph has a different sprocket part for newer engines. How do I know? I had to look cuz mine F'n broke. Most likely because of the extra stress of running the supercharger drive combined with the older sprocket design. Cam sprocket broke a tooth. Timing got messed and bike is down for a good while to get the valves, cam chain and cam shafts inspected. Great luck I have this year. First, clutch failure and now a much more serious cam failure.

Thanks for the input RiderRocketman. I figured it was the cam chain. Mine only does it when cold and even then... it is very slight. I hear 3 to 4 clicks and its done. When it's warm.... nothing.

Hope you get yours back on line soon!

Bob

 

[RiderRocketman]

Yeah, you other 2005 early adopters should get that darned sprocket replaced. Next time the shop needs to adjust your valves is the best time to do it since they'll have to remove the cam shafts and re-adjust the chain anyways. Popping in a new sprocket should take no more than an extra few minutes. $59 USD for a new sprocket... cheap insurance for a potentially very serious failure.

 

[Tropic traveler]

My '05 is in the shop right now for the "chain rattle", under warranty , and the tech called last Friday 6/8 and advised me that the cam sprockets had "worn, sloppy keyways" and they had ordered new updated parts from Triumph to remedy it. Have not heard back yet but I'm in no hurry, I want them to take their time and get it right!
BTW, I AM buying the extended warranty when I get it back!!! :shock:

 

[Captain Bob]

Try wearing ear plugs :wink:

A full coverage Helmet works great as well! Or.... Get rid of the windscreen!

Bob

 

[Jfcroni]

Yeah, you other 2005 early adopters should get that darned sprocket replaced. Next time the shop needs to adjust your valves is the best time to do it since they'll have to remove the cam shafts and re-adjust the chain anyways. Popping in a new sprocket should take no more than an extra few minutes. $59 USD for a new sprocket... cheap insurance for a potentially very serious failure.

My 05 with 5000 miles on it started with this noise recently too. It happens at about 3K RPM when I accelerate. I don't have to accelerate aggressively for it to happen. At 3K, a slow acceleration will cause the noise regularly. It does not go away when warmed up. There is no performance issue...just plenty of knocking noise. Very unsettling...

 

[RiderRocketman]

Rattling horn. That was easy enough. Triumph does need to use thread locker more liberally. Just about every unlocked bolt has come loose on my Rocket at one point or another.

JFcroni, did you have that rattling noise when you had your rear end work? You could have loose accessories like Midroc, loose cam chain, or even cheap fuel causing engine knock. Unless you know what each thing sounds like it is hard to pinpoint. The bracket in the heat shield for my rear brake reservoir broke and makes a rattling sound but it is distinctly different from cam chain noise. Also anything loose in the engine will usually also make it vibrate more than normal. If it feels out of place then have your dealer look at it. They'll have a better ear for unusual noises.

 

[Jfcroni]

Rattling horn. That was easy enough. Triumph does need to use thread locker more liberally. Just about every unlocked bolt has come loose on my Rocket at one point or another.

JFcroni, did you have that rattling noise when you had your rear end work? You could have loose accessories like Midroc, loose cam chain, or even cheap fuel causing engine knock. Unless you know what each thing sounds like it is hard to pinpoint. The bracket in the heat shield for my rear brake reservoir broke and makes a rattling sound but it is distinctly different from cam chain noise. Also anything loose in the engine will usually also make it vibrate more than normal. If it feels out of place then have your dealer look at it. They'll have a better ear for unusual noises.

Actually, I didn't have that knocking sound b/f the rear end work was done. It does sound like it's coming from the front of the engine however. I'll look it over again....then get to the dealer. The timing sproket stories do spook me a bit.

 

[Jfcroni]

Gotta say.... I haven't gotten much feedback on any of the problems I've posted on R3owners. (maybe it's just me) Thanks to the two or three that have offered experience or opinions. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a site critic....just a user/contributor who frequents other sites like this for similar interests..... BMW, NSX, Porsche and the like for good info on my restoration projects and or just validation of technical expertise. Maybe everyone is just having too much fun riding..... Meanwhile.....my R3 goes back to the dealer again for rear end and or trans noise that is ridiculous. My love for the Triumph is fading. As a rider of Triumph since 1968 and owning many bikes since...I am a very disappointed Triumph owner at this point. I recently filled out a customer survey with the same sentiments. I believe this bike will be my last Triumph purchase. With 5000 miles on it, I should not be seeing the dealer service rep for anything but an oil change. Instead, I'll be going back for another final drive or trans replacement. I am losing the riding season of 2007. This sucks!