Pre-Ignition (Pinking!) on start up

[explorer]

Bike: 2003 GS1150 ADV

I have read all the threads you helpful guys & gals have placed regarding pinking etc. But none seem to cover pinking at start up.

When my ADV is first fired up from cold and ticking over, no pinking, but then when I first pull away, over a one to two minute period (under load) it pinks like a good 'un! Once warmed (a few bars on the temp gauge) it dissapears.

The bike is now fitted with a Y piece and standard can, but had originally fitted a Y piece and Star Twins performance exhaust (a Dutch company) fitted for much of the three years of ownership. I have been running 95 RON as it advises in the manual. I thought by putting the original can back on that it may have helped (possibly running hot!) but the pinking is still there. Could it be carbon build up on the pistons (normally I thought that caused pinking when hot?). Dealer has looked and couldn't find a problem, but advised maybe switching to 98 RON.

The other possibility is that due to crawling speeds (30kmh) here in The Netherlands and not much opportunity to cane it, does it just need a good blow out on the Autobahn or a trip to Assen circuit??

Or am I just being too paranoid?

Help would be much appreciated.

Hobbo

 

[Butler]

i changed to higher grade petrol, and that cured it.

 

[Tarka]

Are you sure it`s not the camchains ???

 

[explorer]

Will check...

Will check that Tarka...Thanks. But do they really make that much noise on start up? And is that normal on start up for a 1150?

 

[Tarka]

Will check that Tarka...Thanks. But do they really make that much noise on start up? And is that normal on start up for a 1150?

They can be surprisingly 'rattly' sometimes on startup and initial pull away.

I`ve read on here that using 20W50 oil quietens them down a lot.

Also....the throttle bodies can give off a horrendous rattling sound,try especially the linkage area on the right hand one.

HTH.

 

[Stanley Knife]

My 2003 twin spark GS does exactly the same,my garage is a the bottom of a small hill and moving off under load when cold it rattles like a diesel.

Its fine once warm so I have just presumed its normal and ignored it!

 

[cookie]

mine sometimes does it too when stone cold. a second pull away 200 yds down the road would be fine.

 

[sjwb]

It's piston slap (rattle). When the temperatures equalize it goes away. Whilst it is fair to say it should not happen, if it ceases soon after start up, live with it.
Don't worry unduly and be assured that it is not pre-ignition - or even detonation.

 

[explorer]

A Hearty Thanks

Thanks to all that have replied and put the old paranoid mind at rest. Of course, it's an air cooled engine after all and we should expect the odd, living, breathing, kinda noises from mechanical components. It's just knowing what order they should be in and how original they are meant to be, from the original build!!

So to all. Safe riding and here comes the Spring....Yipeee!

Hobbo

PS

True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.

And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all.

Socrates.

 

[cookie]

It's piston slap (rattle). When the temperatures equalize it goes away. Whilst it is fair to say it should not happen, if it ceases soon after start up, live with it.
Don't worry unduly and be assured that it is not pre-ignition - or even detonation.

if it was piston slap would it not tend to occur on the overrun and not on rising revs wouldn't it?

 

[Grizzly]

Hi Hobbo.
Have you checked/tensioned your alternator drive belt - under the black cover on the front of the engine?? - if this is not tensioned enough or in poor condition it tends to make what I can only describe as a "chirping" noise as you pull away. It disappears quickly because the loading on the belt reduces once the alternator has replaced a bit of the battery power drained during start-up.
I may be wrong but it is a strange noise and it's not much different from pinking to listen to with a helmet on - worth a check??

Cheers................Grizzly

 

[explorer]

Spanners Out

Thanks Grizzly. Worth a check. Doing my own servicing now, it seemed fine when I adjusted valves etc. But these buggers move, so I'll check it anyway.

 

[allan]

Hi Hobbo.
Have you checked/tensioned your alternator drive belt - under the black cover on the front of the engine?? - if this is not tensioned enough or in poor condition it tends to make what I can only describe as a "chirping" noise as you pull away. It disappears quickly because the loading on the belt reduces once the alternator has replaced a bit of the battery power drained during start-up.
I may be wrong but it is a strange noise and it's not much different from pinking to listen to with a helmet on - worth a check??

Cheers................Grizzly

My bike does that, and a chirping noise is exactly how I would describe it. I have just completed a service and have filled her up with 20/50 oil for the warmer weather. The bike is running much better but the chirping noise is still there if I yank the throttle a bit too quickly.

I will check the belt and get back if it makes a difference.

Allan

 

[explorer]

Thanks Grizzly

Sorry it has been a long time in coming!....But thanks Grizzly. You were spot on with the Alternator belt, just got round to tensioning it and guess what? No more birds in the engine on start up (and I mean the Tweety kind!!)

So I can rest my paranoid mind over new pistons and burnt out valves, from running to lean etc. and get on with the Km's here In Nederland.

May your shit always shine and run smooth Grizzly, and may the sun always shine on your road.

Bedankt,

Hobbo