Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

"Ticking" Noise at Spark Plug Boot

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • "Ticking" Noise at Spark Plug Boot

    I hear a ticking noise at number 3 or four spark plug boot. I feel sure that it is a spark jumping rather than a valve, but I do not actually see anything. What is going on and what is the repair?

    MP
    1981 XS1100H Venturer
    K&N Air Filter
    ACCT
    Custom Paint by Deitz
    Geezer Rectifier/Regulator
    Chacal Stainless Steel Braided Brake Lines
    Chrome Front Rotor & Caliper Covers
    Stebel Nautilus Horn
    EBC Front Rotors
    Limie Accent Moves On In 2015

    Mike

  • #2
    You can check for arching but you have to wait until night time. Let it get dark out then start the bike and look for arching. Take a squirt bottle and mist lightly around the wires to see if that creates arching. Otherwise you might be hearing an exhaust leak of just valve noise. Check you exhaust stud nuts are tight but dont over torque them. Let us know what you find.
    '79 XS11 F
    Stock except K&N

    '79 XS11 SF
    Stock, no title.

    '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
    GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

    "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

    Comment


    • #3
      Is there a countdown?

      Try taking a broomstick to valve cover and press to your ear...see if you can isolate tick to inside or not.

      John
      John is in an anonymous city with an Alamo (N29.519227,W-98.678980)

      Go ahead, click on the bikes - you know you want to...the electrons are ready.
      '81 XS1100H - "Enterprise"
      Bob Jones Custom Navy bike: Tkat brace, EBC floating rotors & SS lines, ROX pivot risers, Geezer rectifier, new 3H3 engine

      "Not all treasure is silver and gold"

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by jwhughes3 View Post
        Is there a countdown?

        Try taking a broomstick to valve cover and press to your ear...see if you can isolate tick to inside or not.

        John
        A long screwdriver work in case you dont have a broom handle less than 4 feet, might get weird looks with that one.
        '79 XS11 F
        Stock except K&N

        '79 XS11 SF
        Stock, no title.

        '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
        GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

        "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by WMarshy View Post
          might get weird looks with that one.
          That is what make life entertaining though!

          Plus people don't mess with you if they think you are crazy!
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

          Comment


          • #6
            Also check for a loose spark plug or a failed plug gasket that may have been over tightened in the past and no longer sealing, JAT.
            '78 E "Stormbringer"

            Purrs like a kitten, roars like a lion, runs like a gazelle (being chased by a cheetah).

            pics http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/...tormbringer45/

            Comment


            • #7
              I say pee on it... and take video from behind.
              Try your hardest to be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

              You can live to be 100, as long as you give up everything that would make you want to live to be 100!

              Current bikes:
              '06 Suzuki DR650
              *'82 XJ1100 with the 1179 kit. "Mad Maxim"
              '82 XJ1100 Completely stock fixer-upper
              '82 XJ1100 Bagger fixer-upper
              '82 XJ1100 Motor/frame and lots of boxes of parts
              '82 XJ1100 Parts bike
              '81 XS1100 Special
              '81 YZ250
              '80 XS850 Special
              '80 XR100
              *Crashed/Totalled, still own

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by trbig View Post
                I say pee on it... and take video from behind.
                ............and post for a DARWIN award...........
                81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

                Comment


                • #9
                  If your plug is fouled, the spark will take the next best route to ground.
                  Skids (Sid Hansen)

                  Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    So an insulated screwdriver would be the way to go right?
                    Hi, my name is George & I'm a twisty addict!

                    80G (Green paint(PO idea))
                    The Green Monster
                    K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, '81 oil cooler, TC's homemade 4-2 w/Mac Mufflers, Raptor 660 ACCT
                    Got him in '04.
                    bald tire & borrowing parts

                    80SG (Black w/red emblems & calipers)
                    Scarlet
                    K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, WJ5, Shoei bags, Raptor 660 ACCT.
                    Got her in '11
                    Ready for the twisties!

                    81H (previously CPMaynard's)
                    Hugo
                    Full Venturer, Indigo Blue with B/W painted tank.
                    Cold weather ride

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X