Engine whine 05 1150GSA

daveg

daveg

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Hi Folks

I haven't done many miles on my 1150 since I bought it late last year but this last week or two I've been out on it a fair bit and got it 'warmed up'.
I've noticed an increasingly loud whine which I think is from the alternator but could be something I haven't thought of.
It's there all the time and gets louder with revs.
The belt tension is about right.
I've had a few 1100/1150s so know what they normally sound like.
Any thoughts? If it is an alternator bearing how long will it go on being noisy before it fails?
I'm taking it on a trip in a week's time and would rather not have to work on it before I go.
 
it's a gs. It makes lots of noise. The final drive whines! Maybe this one just sounds different?! Is it shit?


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If it getting increasingly louder then it would suggest it is getting worse. Asking how long it will take a bearing (if it is the alternator bearing) to fail is like asking how long a piece of string is. Without hearing it it is hard to diagnose, but I certainly wouldn't go away on it without trying to remedy it or your trip could be cut very short and become very expensive. Give Steptoe a call and see if he can sort it before you go, it will save you money in the long run as you are only going to have to fix it when you get back anyway.
 
Flipfly said:
If it getting increasingly louder then it would suggest it is getting worse. Asking how long it will take a bearing (if it is the alternator bearing) to fail is like asking how long a piece of string is. Without hearing it it is hard to diagnose, but I certainly wouldn't go away on it without trying to remedy it or your trip could be cut very short and become very expensive. Give Steptoe a call and see if he can sort it before you go, it will save you money in the long run as you are only going to have to fix it when you get back anyway.
Click to expand...

Thanks Flipfly.

I've had enough 1100/1150s to be used to their various rattles and whines, this is different; louder and increases with revs. Searching the forum and googling hasn't helped. Has anybody had an alternator fail? I was also wondering if it might be something like a fuel pump or camchain tensioner.

I can fix it myself once I know what I'm looking for which is what I'm getting at here.
 
Smelly Old Boots said:
it's a gs. It makes lots of noise. The final drive whines! Maybe this one just sounds different?! Is it shit?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

In your experience does the final drive whine while the bike's on the centre stand in neutral? :D
 
Fuel pump noise should be distinguashable since it whines on single note (independently from bike revs).

A weak camchain tensioner should make more metallic clatter type of a sound.

Loose or worn generator belt, or bearings gone also possibility.

Could be also some loose frame part, i.e. engine bars that starts to resonates on higher revs. I've had this happen.

Worst case scenareo is the blancer shaft or the main end bearings, but unelikely.
 
Tsiklonaut said:
Fuel pump noise should be distinguashable since it whines on single note (independently from bike revs).

A weak camchain tensioner should make more metallic clatter type of a sound.

Loose or worn generator belt, or bearings gone also possibility.

Could be also some loose frame part, i.e. engine bars that starts to resonates on higher revs. I've had this happen.

Worst case scenareo is the blancer shaft or the main end bearings, but unelikely.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty certain it's alternator related but I didn't know whether the fuel pump works on an on/off basis or whether it's variable speed according to demand.
 
take the alternator belt off, start the engine and see if the noise has gone.

check the bearings while you're there.
 
daveg said:
I've noticed an increasingly loud whine which I think is from the alternator but could be something I haven't thought of.
It's there all the time and gets louder with revs.
Click to expand...

David, if you're taking my mum out for spins I'll be pissed... :aidan
 
daveg said:
I've noticed an increasingly loud whine which I think is from the alternator but could be something I haven't thought of.
It's there all the time and gets louder with revs.
Click to expand...

David, if you're taking my mum out for spins I'll be pissed off... :aidan
 
Haha.. if it's not the belt, check things dangling... no not that! I'm talking about shit like wires/ cables/ straps...

Once had a racket coming from a hanging strap on my 'tank bra', took me ages to find the wardrobe dysfunction :D
 
I took the belt off today and the whine is still there. It was a bit slack so at least that's fixed. No noticeable play in the alternator bearing. The sound is coming from somewhere in the area under the tank so now I'm thinking it may be related to the abs/servo. Anyway I'm not concerned anymore. Thanks for the advice. :thumb2
 
If it is the ABS servo be very concerned as if it fails when you need your brakes (and you will only know as it happens), then you are left with no brakes to speak of.
 
Can you record the sound and post on here? Very curious!
 
If the ABS/servo did fail catastrophically I hope I'd see it coming!
My only concern is the louder than usual whine which gets louder as it warms up, but that may just be a 'feature'. The bike runs beautifully and should be totally reliable as its been cosseted and very well maintained. My other 3 x 1150's have been pre 2003 and this is a late 2005 SE so there could be some difference in the unit.
By the time I get back from Wales in about a week's time I'll have compared it to my mate's 2003 GSA and will know a bit more...

I will try and record the sound and post it.

Cheers

David
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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