ST1300 Engine squeal

STRider

STRider

Joined
Mar 17, 2020
Messages
154
Age
66
Location
Oregon
Bike
2012 ST1300A
Help! I just returned home from my seven mile commute and stopped in my driveway.

Idling while waiting for the door to open, a high-pitched squeal started, originating in the front-left side of the engine. To my ear, most prominent near the front of the left valve cover. I blipped the throttle and it went away with revs and remained quiet for a moment before returning. Once again it quieted with revs, but the squeal returned faster. I let it run for about for about 15-20 seconds trying to assess the problem. Then I rolled it into the garage and recorded this video for the hive mind to consider. The squeal really emerges at about 0:07 sec into the video.

The bike has never exhibited any issues with the engine or other mechanical systems.

Most recent service was an oil and filter change at 32,700 on July 25th. OEM Honda filter and my first try with @Igofar 's favorite slippery stuff, Shell Rotella T6 15W-40. It hasn't had its valves adjusted yet, but I have the shims and am ready to do this when my schedule allows and will replace coolant at the same time The top end sounds fine. Yes, I know, that alone isn't a useful indicator.

It's not a remotely hot day, but the air temp on the dash at the end of the video reads 108°F. Which it isn't. Moments earlier I recorded a video, which I wasn't happy with where it read 77°F. In my opinion, the air temp reading shouldn't have risen that much in that short a time. So there's a clue.

I started the bike after dinner and it sounded fine and the air temp it read in my closed garage was 84°F.

Anyone with experience with such a noise?

 
I can't recall the exact noise it made, but my 1100 developed a squeal from the front of the engine and it was the water pump going south.
 
Yeah, water pump is on the other side from where I think the sound is originating. But I'll narrow it down tomorrow, I hope.
 
The air temperature display isn't accurate when the bike isn't moving. That 108F was air trapped under the fairing heated by the hot engine. I would first adjust the counter balancers to how the sound is changed. The whining noise doesn't sound that unusual to me for this engine.
 
I would check if the sound goes away when depressing the clutch lever, looks like an harmonique from the basket rode vibration caused by the internal play. If the rattle stop, nothing to be alarmed then.
 
Thanks everyone.

I adjusted the balance shafts just over a year ago, June 2025. I don't recall the whining sound being like this as you make the sound come and go to set the shaft positions, but my memory could be flawed.

Based on the reports of others when their water pump fails, this seems early mileage for that as well.

I also know where the air temp sensor is located and how movement is necessary for accuracy, but I've never seen the temp rise that much from such a short pause idling. The ambient air temp was less than 80°F. I'll pay attention to that too.

I'll make my commute today and see what happens. It's not that far to get home if things are more serious than we suspect.

Thanks! Tom
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom