Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpful!

thepaleobiker

thepaleobiker

Paleo, Runner, Spiritual, Dancer
Joined
Mar 31, 2014
Messages
218
Location
Manhattan, NY
Bike
2006 ST1300A "Vikki"
Hi All!

I recently changed oil on my 1991 ST1100 that I've had for about a month now. I guess helmets are really good these days, because I never heard the slight rattling noise that emanates from the front of the motorcycle until the oil change time.

Its really a "ting ting..." noise that is distictly audible only when the engine is idling. Anything above 1500RPM & the Jetson sound is beautiful.

Also, I "think" the sound is more pronounced on the right hand side of the engine (any pointers?) :confused::confused:

I've uploaded a better video recording with the noise audible, on youtube. Here's the link --> 1991 Honda ST1100 rattling noise near engine@idle:

http://youtu.be/EVrBO7pwKI0


************* EDIT 2 **************

Some extra new info :-

1) The Carbs were last cleaned/rebuilt ~9K miles ago

2) I checked around the immediate periphery of the engine/exhaust etc & couldnt find anything loose

I've spoken to Sir Pat (sirepair) & might go out to visit in chillicothe for some thoughts/ideas.

************* EDIT 3 **************

1) I met Pat! It was great to see the awesome Red 93 ST1100 Pat had (looks more like Inspector Gadget ST1100 , so many Farkles!)

2) Pat gave a good long ear & couldnt find any noise. I myself couldnt hear much noise at the time

3) I've concluded there's nothing really major going on - But on cold morning, when the engine is not warm, a cold start makes me "hear" the noises again...I'm just learning to ignore them

I'll be coming in for OH-STOC, not too far away (~ 1 month) , hopefully will get some additional thoughts on this. But right now, I'll take Pat's word 100%, and just ride :) :) !

Regards,
Vishnu
 
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Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

The video wasn't all that helpful, to me anyway, as you moved around too much too fast to get a good listen. The clutch on the 1100 does make a bit of a rattle at idle normally, but it also could be a loose valve clearance issue. Maybe that was the tapping sound I could briefly hear. When's the last time the valve clearances were checked?
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

the audio quality is pretty bad, so I couldn't recognize the normal idle sound from the ting-ting. Have you checked the valve clearances, that could create a ticking sound, or it could also be a heat shield vibrating at a certain engine speed too.

your idle speed seems a bit low to me, you may want to turn it up to about 1,000 RPM on the tach.
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

I must apologize for the poor audio, I thought I could clearly hear the noise in the youtube link & didnt think I'd warrant any change. I'll try to isolate the sound in a separate video/audio clip if possible & get back again.

In the current video, if I try to point out the sound, its audible when I'm looking at the tach in the video, and also when I move to the left faring side. Its a "high-pitched ting-ting" sound, its separate from the throaty low pitched engine revving.

I am not sure of the last valve clearance check, I've had the bike for a month now, but I've asked the previous owner if he'd know this.

After reading many forum threads, I guess I've a few things to do :-

1) Check for loose exhaust pipe bolts/radiator/fan bolts?

2) Valve clearance checks (I'd have a lot to read up on for valve clearance checks :) )

Any other suggestions? I'll also add this to the Original Post to include my thoughts.

Thanks again Bush & Dwalby!

Regards,
Vishnu
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Look at your heat shields. They will break at the bolt locations and make an annoying noise sometimes.
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Bigmak96 said:
Look at your heat shields. They will break at the bolt locations and make an annoying noise sometimes.
Click to expand...

Thank you Bigmak96, I'll take a look at the heat shields when I take off the fairings. The Bike is a 1991 Model & has about 47K on it, so I guess there's a good chance some bolts could be loose and rattle. I should look into it!

Regards,
Vishnu
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Dunno, hard to tell with that audio quality... but I think I heard a leaking exhaust, kinda "pfft-pfft-pfft...", I'd check manifold flanges, etc...
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

ST1100Y said:
Dunno, hard to tell with that audio quality... but I think I heard a leaking exhaust, kinda "pfft-pfft-pfft...", I'd check manifold flanges, etc...
Click to expand...

That's a good point - Essentially I guess I'll have to isolate the noise source & I should start with the exhaust section (bolts, manifold flanges etc) Thank you all, this is very helpful!

I'll also try to record a better audio clip tonight :eek::

Regards,
Vishnu
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Vishnu, I just ran across this thread. I don't know if you sent me a message. If you did, I didn't get it. I never noticed any sort of rattling sound from the bike when I had it. I can't help you as far as the valve clearance check is concerned. I can tell you that one wasn't done while I had it, and it don't know if the previous owners had it done. I hope you're able to track down the source of the noise, and that it turns out to be nothing serious.
 
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Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

ScottKY said:
Vishnu, I just ran across this thread. I don't know if you sent me a message. If you did, I didn't get it. I never noticed any sort of rattling sound from the bike when I had it. I can't help you as far as the valve clearance check is concerned. I can tell you that one wasn't done while I had it, and it don't know if the previous owners had it done. I hope you're able to track down the source of the noise, and that it turns out to be nothing serious.
Click to expand...

Scott,

Thank you for your kind words! I actually sent you an email instead of a PM, that's my bad, I know the PM's a better option. I have purchased a "Mechanics Stethescope" to try & pin-point the noise, as I was not able to find anything loose in the front area. I intend to work on it this week & maybe even try to ride out to someone nearby in the Cincinnati Area who'd be willing to lend an ear for advice!

The sound seems to always be at it loudest when the engine is cold, and it slightly decreases when warmed up. But I am starting to think (in horror) if there's a chance something (like a small piece of stone..or gravel?) is stuck somewhere inside the fairing. The noise began after a 300 mile trip a couple of weekends ago.

I'll perform the checks & hopefully something specific can be identified! :)

Regards,
Vishnu
 
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Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

I've uploaded a better video recording with the noise audible, on youtube. Here's the link --> 1991 Honda ST1100 rattling noise near engine@idle:

http://youtu.be/EVrBO7pwKI0


************* EDIT 2 **************

Some extra new info :-

1) The Carbs were last cleaned/rebuilt ~9K miles ago

2) I checked around the immediate periphery of the engine/exhaust etc & couldnt find anything loose

I've spoken to Sir Pat (sirepair) & might go out to visit in chillicothe for some thoughts/ideas.

Regards,
Vishnu
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

I am not hearing anything unusual there.
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Does it change when the clutch is pulled in?

The idle is low so it is making it difficult to tell if it's some sort of backlash in the engine because it is at low idle, like the cam belt tensioner rattling.... raise the idle to 1000-1100 and see if that improves it.....
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

+1 I don't hear anything unusual either.

+1 Your idle sounds too low.

John

via iPhone 4S
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

It almost sounds like a small exhaust leak.

While it's running, pass your hand around the exhaust underneath (don't burn your hands) to feel for leaks. Mine has a slight leak where the right header joins to the collector box. I need to find more heat resistant material and clamp it around the leak.

Julien
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Good way to find an exhaust leak is to hold a towel over the ends of each muffler. Might need two people to do this, since all the exhaust goes into the collector, then is sent through the two mufflers. One muffler does not serve just two cylinders. The sound will intensify at the leak location, as the gases look for another way out. Usually produces a squealing sound at the leak point.
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

I too hear a small one cylinder exhaust or AIR piping leak. The best device for exhaust leak finding is a length of rubber auto heater hose size 5/8-3/4" used as a listener to your ear. Have a helper block off tailpipes with rags which will increase back pressure in piping making leak more noticeable. Remove plastic so you have access to everything.
 
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Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

Rather than using a rubber hose (unless you like the smell of burnt rubber on your exhaust), an old mechanic's trick is to listen through a metal rod. Touch the various parts of the engine while holding the bone forward of your ear on the other end of the rod, like this:
bearing2.gif

A long screwdriver works well also, with the handle against your ear-bone.
 
Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

You don't put the hose on the part:confused: the open end is moved around suspect areas which pinpoints and isolates it from other external noises. For metallic type noises that get transferred through an engine yes a stethoscope type listener is best.

An exhaust leak being external to an engine is best located first by feel with your hand/fingers for exhaust gases pulsing in general area or visually with the telltale black sooty type covering and no you don't put your hand on part, then onto the hose listener for this 40 yr mechanic.
 
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Re: Rattling noisefrom/near Engine? Youtube link added. Any Advice/tip would be helpf

ytuse6en.jpg


dudedugu.jpg


"Sunday afternoon riding with Pat "

Thank you so much Pat! (Sirepair) it was great meeting you, talking to you, and getting to learn so much more about the bike!

I had the privilege to try and keep up with Pat, but it was not possible :-D . OH State Route 247 was a real hoot.

Pat agrees that there could be some leak, but for the most part, the engine is running real smooth :). That, more than anything else, is a real stress buster!

I hope to meet you again sometime Pat! I'll try to get you a little something from NJ :).

Regards,
Vishnu

sent by thepaleobiker - on Tapatalk
 
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