ENgine Noise

[ratpick]

I may be coming out of left field here, but the symptoms described in the original post at the start of this thread (noise occurs under load, moderate or greater acceleration) and the description of the noise in other posts makes it sound like the "pinging" or "knocking" from detonation. I don't know how this could occur in a modern engine with computer controlled ignition (should automatically retard timing to fix problem, or to compensate for lower octane fuel). Maybe this has been previously discussed at length and discounted, but sure sounds like an old fashioned "ping" the way you all describe the problem. If it is detonation, problem should be worse when engine is warm, and with higher ambient temperatures. Could try higher octane fuel and/or octane booster to see if it makes a difference.

 

[RiderRocketman]

As 'modern' as current motorcycle engines are, they aren't that smart. If I remember right, there is only one, maybe two moto engines with knock sensors to adjust timing based on predetonation and they definitely aren't in any Triumph engines. Unless you have a blower in your Rocket, you're not likely to get predetonation problems. Compression is pretty low.

Noise could also be from valves needing adjustment but on a low mileage bike that isn't likely either. I've heard a Bonneville (Triumph parallel twin engine) that really needed some valve adjustment. Was so bad the darn engine sounded like a Spanish dancer with canestas.

Most likely the noise is cam chain. Both my Rocket and 675 are a little noisy with the cam chain. I think it is just an attribute of the modern Triumph triple engine and nothing to really worry about. Figuring out if the noise is excessive is the tricky part.

 

[Jfcroni]

Try wearing ear plugs :wink:

Another brilliant idea! Wow....why didn't I think of that!

 

[Jfcroni]

As 'modern' as current motorcycle engines are, they aren't that smart. If I remember right, there is only one, maybe two moto engines with knock sensors to adjust timing based on predetonation and they definitely aren't in any Triumph engines. Unless you have a blower in your Rocket, you're not likely to get predetonation problems. Compression is pretty low.

Noise could also be from valves needing adjustment but on a low mileage bike that isn't likely either. I've heard a Bonneville (Triumph parallel twin engine) that really needed some valve adjustment. Was so bad the darn engine sounded like a Spanish dancer with canestas.

Most likely the noise is cam chain. Both my Rocket and 675 are a little noisy with the cam chain. I think it is just an attribute of the modern Triumph triple engine and nothing to really worry about. Figuring out if the noise is excessive is the tricky part.

I put the bike up on a stationary jack with the rear wheel off the ground. I started the engine and put the bike in gear. I let the engine drive the rear wheel and listened to the drive train. The noise is all over the drive train. It is either in the trans, driveshaft or rear end. The noise is very obvious with this troubleshooting method. It’s clicking and knocking like there is something lose and tumbling around.

Back to the dealer on Tuesday…..

 

[Jfcroni]

I may be coming out of left field here, but the symptoms described in the original post at the start of this thread (noise occurs under load, moderate or greater acceleration) and the description of the noise in other posts makes it sound like the "pinging" or "knocking" from detonation. I don't know how this could occur in a modern engine with computer controlled ignition (should automatically retard timing to fix problem, or to compensate for lower octane fuel). Maybe this has been previously discussed at length and discounted, but sure sounds like an old fashioned "ping" the way you all describe the problem. If it is detonation, problem should be worse when engine is warm, and with higher ambient temperatures. Could try higher octane fuel and/or octane booster to see if it makes a difference.

I did the octane thing to eliminate that from the list of possibilities. After lifting the bike and listening to the drivetrain under power, it became very clear that the noise from the drivetrain is loud and is what I am hearing.

 

[RiderRocketman]

I put the bike up on a stationary jack with the rear wheel off the ground. I started the engine and put the bike in gear. I let the engine drive the rear wheel and listened to the drive train. The noise is all over the drive train. It is either in the trans, driveshaft or rear end. The noise is very obvious with this troubleshooting method. It’s clicking and knocking like there is something lose and tumbling around.

Back to the dealer on Tuesday…..

It sounds like they didn't fix your original problem which seems to be in the engine case not way back in the final drive. Hate to say it but it sounds like your bike is in for an engine teardown.

 

[Jfcroni]

I put the bike up on a stationary jack with the rear wheel off the ground. I started the engine and put the bike in gear. I let the engine drive the rear wheel and listened to the drive train. The noise is all over the drive train. It is either in the trans, driveshaft or rear end. The noise is very obvious with this troubleshooting method. It’s clicking and knocking like there is something lose and tumbling around.

Back to the dealer on Tuesday…..

It sounds like they didn't fix your original problem which seems to be in the engine case not way back in the final drive. Hate to say it but it sounds like your bike is in for an engine teardown.

I agree... a teardown is probably what it will take.

 

[Jfcroni]

Into the shop it went today. No idea of how long it will take. They said it's probably the output bearing..... The new rear end is also now leaking oil.....

 

[Jfcroni]

I spoke to the dealer today. The engine is off the bike and the output shaft and bearing are being ordered. He said the bearing was running in oil, so not installed backwards. The rear end that was previously replaced was probably OK. The new one is throwing oil on the rear wheel and leaking from the bottom.

 

[RiderRocketman]

Don't know about the "new" rear drive they put in. How'd they get it so quick? They might've put in one of the old recalled drives they took off someone else's bike a while ago.

Hope you get your bike sorted soon.