Engine Noise-Need Some Help

[2ndChapter]

I am trying to troubleshoot a ticking sound coming from a 2006 Speed Triple engine with 10,000 miles. The ticking will start after it has idled for a couple minutes. It sounds like more like rocker arm ticking on an old screw and locknut system, but this is shim under bucket system. The sound is not super loud, but it is there. It is loud enough for you and your buddies to hear it, but someone not into bikes may not think much of it.

This all started when I heard a noise while riding. I checked the oil at one of the stops and it was way low, so you added some oil. I added 2 quarts of oil. The bike rode fine but the noise got louder and louder. I changed the oil when I got home and the noise was not as loud, but it is still there.

During idle, I used a mechanical stethoscope to narrow down the ticking sound. It is the most distinct right behind cylinder #2 about 20 – 40mm down from the head gasket in the center of the cylinder. Now keep in mind, you can hear the ticking all over the engine, but it is the clearest and loudest at this location. Moving straight you can hear more noise, but you are also getting all the “extra” sounds of the engine as well. There is no question the area has more ticking sounds in the rear of the engine. The front and sides have consistent sounds no matter where the stethoscope is placed. Sure, some places are louder, but it is the “normal” sounds. The cam chain tensioner does not have any ticking sounds around it or where the chain rides, but going back around the middle of #2 cylinder in the rear the ticking can be heard the most.

Reving up the engine does speed up the ticking, but not as fast as a loose cam chain and does not do the “follow-up” sound a cam chain does when “blimping” the throttle.

Appling a load by putting the bike in gear and letting out the clutch with the front brake on, does not change the ticking (as far as increase from a load) and does not have the sound of a bad rod or crank bearing.

Inspected the #2 and #3 intake valve clearance on both sets buckets. They are at the high end of the spec, but not out of spec. #3 exhaust has one that is measuring 0.03mm out of spec. I have not had time to check the others yet. The buckets of the valves I check are moving freely. The cam lobes look good and do not appear to have any oil starvation. I have not check the cam cap journals yet. The oil itself did not smell “burnt”.

I took out the cam chain tensioner and it appears to be working find. The shaft was about half way out and could not be pushed back “in” when pressure was applied. When the spring was install, the shaft was pushed out fully (not in the engine).

The intake valves appear to be clean (gold looking through the intake throat). I have not looked in the cylinder intake valves (opened by the cam) to see if I can see a lot of carbon built up, but that is next.

The spark plugs look okay. The are a slightly brown in color and with no major build up. The air filter is a K&N, which was not too dirty. There was no dirt or dust in the intake throats, intake butterflies, or in the air box (after the air filter).

Engine oil was just changed, as stated above. I did not see any copper or silver in the oil (using a bright flash light). Oil in the head appears to be clean as well.

Here are my thoughts. If it was a dirt bike, I would say it was piston slap. I have never seen a sport bike with a short stroke that had piston slap, but I am sure anything is possible. It could be carbon build up, broken valve spring, or a sticking shim bucket (seen once on a Suzuki). The thing that is throwing me off is the ticking sound is most dominant on the backside of cylinder #2 slightly above the center point. I am not sure if this is the result of me running the bike low in oil or not. Oil light never came on.

Let me know if anyone has encountered this before or have any good ideas. I have a few more things to try, but I just want to see what others think. Has anyone else noticed there bike was low in oil too?

[teemstah]

Geez, that's a lotta ****ing words. Just take it to a good mechanic...........

[Dblhelx]

Definitely worn muffler bearings.

[2ndChapter]

Yeah I know it's a bit wordy but wanted to make sure the geniuses on the board got all the info I had. On a side note actually having a friend help me who's a former moto mechanic. (Not Triumph though) hence my posting the question on the board.

Like to tinker... and trust those I know better than some of the local dealerships...

Sorry I've got TRUST issues...

Geez, that's a lotta ****ing words. Just take it to a good mechanic...........

[2ndChapter]

Really.... Worn Muffler Bearings; could that really be the issue....Sorry just sounds much better than the alternative (Hope that's actually the issue)

Definitely worn muffler bearings.

[Dblhelx]

Really.... Worn Muffler Bearings; could that really be the issue....Sorry just sounds much better than the alternative (Hope that's actually the issue)

Definitely worn muffler bearings.

Dam it dude...check your blinker fluid!

[2ndChapter]

^blinker fluid checked out good.. thanks; I'll update the thread as I work through the issue...

[limey]

Have you done a compression test yet?

[2ndChapter]

Not yet will do that after we inspect the valves and cylinder walls a bit closer. We have access to a scope so gonna take advantage of it. Compression test on list of things to do. Will update with results...

[2doggs]