clanging engine noise after warmup

[jeffnew29]

Hi Guys,

Just bought a xj1100 with low miles (9200) that looks showroom new. Unfortunately it does not run as well as it looks. As the engines idles,I hear a clanging sound from the valve train primarily on the right side. It gets progressively worse as the engine warms up.

I took it to Yamaha and they recommended a valve adjustment. Noise is still there after adjustment. Nothing seems loose on the bike and the sound doesn't appear to come from the center of the engine where the cam chain is located. Yamaha checked that too (I think). Valves were not too far out of spec.

Any ideas.

[bikerphil]

Maybe check for loose exhaust at the head. This can greatly amplify noises. Hard to believe Yamaha would even work on a bike that old. Bike is probably older than most of the techs there.

[Larrym]

Maxwell's Silver Hammer

Just a thought: Foreign object inside the cylinder??

Take the spark plugs out of cylinders #3 & #4 and rotate each one to top dead center. Look at each piston top through the spark plug hole. You probably won't be able to see the FOD but you might be able to see if the top of the piston looks like it has been repeatedly impacted.

If that doesn't pan out then go to NAPA and get one of these to trace down where the noise is really coming from:

http://www.napaonline.com/NOLPPSE/(S...835_0006403480

[barberad]

Hi Guys,

Just bought a xj1100 with low miles (9200) that looks showroom new. Unfortunately it does not run as well as it looks. As the engines idles,I hear a clanging sound from the valve train primarily on the right side. It gets progressively worse as the engine warms up.

I took it to Yamaha and they recommended a valve adjustment. Noise is still there after adjustment. Nothing seems loose on the bike and the sound doesn't appear to come from the center of the engine where the cam chain is located. Yamaha checked that too (I think). Valves were not too far out of spec.

Any ideas.

Any Ideas? Yes, you should post where you are. I think the "Showroom new" Bike is toast and I could probably get you scrap weight price for it. You should not ride the bike, just let me come get it.

9200 mile is extremly low milage. Can you give us a little backround on the bike and how you found it, condition, last time it was on the road, how many years it sat in Mrs O'leary's barn and all that good stuff. If the bike was sitting for alot of years there could just be some stuff gunked up, but if you give a little backround it can help to get an Idea of what may be going on.

oh yea, and welcome to channel 11!
Dan

[redbone]

Maybe check for loose exhaust at the head. This can greatly amplify noises. Hard to believe Yamaha would even work on a bike that old. Bike is probably older than most of the techs there.

that's why that came out of yamaha makin just as much noise as it did goin in. hard to find a 'good OLD yamaha fixer'. except here of course.

[dbeardslee]

Jeff - Did yamaha tell you what they did as far as shims were concerned - specifically how many shim sizes each valve changed? Shouldn't change more than a size or two, particularly with that mileage, and I'm wondering if one of the valves is bent. Does it run OK, or does it run rough other than the noise? Probably be a good idea to put a compression tester on it. Also might be a good idea to put an automotive stethoscope on it and see if you can pinpoint the noise. Noises can really echo around inside the valve cover, and it can be difficult to tell where they're coming from. Just some other stuff to think about.

[trbig]

Also... on the rear of the cylinders/head, there is a metal line going from the base of the engine up to the head that is sort of "S" shaped. If you can get to the top bolt and loosen it a bit, then get a rag under this, and crank the bike up. This is the oil feed line for the head and whether it leaks or not will tell you if you have oil pressure.... or not.

Also.. does any oil leak out of either side cover on the motor?


And not trying to insult your intellegence... but you checked the oil level with the bike on the center stand and you're positive that no fuel has leaked past the float valves and into the oil? A bike that has been sitting can have this happen easily.


Tod

[CatatonicBug]

Showroom new, huh?! You know that requires pictures to prove it?! Welcome aboard, and you're right to come here instead of the Yamaha dealer. There is more knowledge and experience here than any dealer could ever amass.

[jeffnew29]

engine Noise

I had a 650 Maxim and loved the bike.Always fancied the inline fours and full gauges. The new bikes are all Harley clones..where is the tach? When I saw the XJ1100,big brother of the 650, I begged the guy to sell it to me.Paid $2500. Looked showroom new but really knew none of the issues raised on this Forum. The shifting was really rough compared to my 650.Seler had it for only six months and did not know historyr. Suspect bike sat for years??

The engine noise ( almost a clanging diesel soind) was there when bought and prsent after dealer did work..no better or worse. Was told by the seller it was typical cam chain tensioner noise. Since ridden other 82 xj1100 of higher mileage (38000 to 45000)without this noticeable sound.

Exhaust system and header collars are tight but don"t know about gaskets. Heard wrapping wet towels on the pipes can help isolate the noise..haven't tried yet.The sound gets progressively louder after warmup. Not sure what a loose cam chain or bad tensioner would sound like but seems coming from right side. Runs poorly at times and backfires when cold..from right exhaust.

There were fine metal flakes in the bottom of my oil pan but could have come from the 650 or my lawnmower..will drain and check again.

You guys are awesome.. thanks for the help.How do I post a pic?

Jeff

[jeffnew29]

oil level (engine clanking noise)

yes oil level is betwwen two marks on window when put on center stand.

Manual says 3.7 quarts with filter but found more like 3 quarts to put level between window marks. Is the manual wrong?

Middle and final gear levels way above low and full marks on plastic dipstick.

Using Yamalube 10-40w

[CatatonicBug]

yes oil level is betwwen two marks on window when put on center stand.

Manual says 3.7 quarts with filter but found more like 3 quarts to put level between window marks. Is the manual wrong?

Middle and final gear levels way above low and full marks on plastic dipstick.

Using Yamalube 10-40w

If you have not yet changed the oils in the middle and final drive, do that before riding. You have no idea how long it has sat, or even if it's the right oil. Use a synthetic 90W gear oil for the middle and final drive, and be sure it's the right level. The dip stick has a "Full" mark for a reason.

Did you run the bike after adding the 3 quarts of oil? The oil does not automatically get into the filter when poring it in. You have to run the starter to turn the engine over for a bit to pump oil into the filter area before running after a filter change. once the filter is full, you will probably need to add more oil.

Just don't let the engine START until the oil pressure warning light turns off. That will tell you that the oil is all the way through the engine, where it's supposed to be.

[jeffnew29]

gear oil/engine oil level

Thanks for the tip on the gear oil. It looks fresh but way over filled according to the dipstick..had to order from Yamaha.

On the center stand, after running, I used 3 quarts with filter change. The oil is between the window marks and the pressure warning light is off. The oil pressure lights works because it was on briefly before I added more oil.

Has anybody else thought 3.7 quarts was over filling?

[cywelchjr]

yes oil level is betwwen two marks on window when put on center stand.

Manual says 3.7 quarts with filter but found more like 3 quarts to put level between window marks. Is the manual wrong?

Middle and final gear levels way above low and full marks on plastic dipstick.

Using Yamalube 10-40w

One thing that I seem to remember having heard is that 10w40 is not thick enough. I use 20w50 Castrol MC oil that I get from Kragen/O'Rielly auto parts (get my filters there too). Using the thinner oil can cause a lot of extra noise, especially once it warms up and thins out.

[jeffnew29]

fuel in oil

Tod

I will drain the oil, strain it with a paint filter, and look for flakes or gasl. Just put new Yamalube a week ago. Was thinking on pouring it back in if it looks ok;no external leaks on the engine

[cruiser]

Just so you know....on the XJ the oil light is not a oil pressure light but rather a low oil level light.
Does the noise change if under load or coasting or only noisy at certain RPM?