Ticking from RH Cylinder head

[WindyChuffer]

My RH cylinder head seems to have developed a ticking noise where the freqency follows the engine revs. Sounds like a sewing machine. Can hear it at 90+mph through helmet

Any ideas what this could be?

Ta
Mike.

 

[MIKA]

Might be a loose plug, but I would check your valve clearances pretty quickly, not unknown for the right hand side to let go destroying the engine.

 

[xjrjason]

Tappets would be a first guess ...................


Stick you head/bike in to a dealer and let them have a listen.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Bike has 20K miles and is 18mths old and was serviced @ Vines BMW at 18K last month, and has just come from dealer after a warranty gearbox build. Noticed ticking whilst leaving dealer but no time to return.

So would be surprised if its valve clearance or loose plug.

Would be hilarious of right hand side lets go as someone mentioned earlier - add to the list of woes my bike has had so for which includes final drive bearing & gearbox input shaft bearing. Seems the fekkin thing is made of cheese and doesnt like the M4....

Booked in for dealer on 22nd for a looksy.

 

[TeaPig]

very surprised if it's not the valve clearances in spite of them just being 'done'. Check endfloat on rockers too as this can make a racket

 

[Mr K]

Tappets tend to be noisier after a service.

 

[Pukmeister]

Same frequency as crank speed: Small end bearing about to let go, broken piston ring etc.

Half crankshaft frequency: Valve train problem.

Either way, I wouldn't be putting many miles on it until its fixed.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Same frequency as crank speed: Small end bearing about to let go, broken piston ring etc.

Half crankshaft frequency: Valve train problem.

Gulp

Either way, I wouldn't be putting many miles on it until its fixed.

Bollocks to that as its covered by warranty. Only another 1,000 or so miles to be covered before the date its booked in at the stealer.

 

[madmax]

I would have the dealer check it over again, from experiance I've had mine done at a dealers who don't always let the engine go cold before adjusting, time is money and all that, mine rattled like a can full of marbles.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Tappets tend to be noisier after a service.

Service was over a month ago and over 2K miles ago. The noise is new.

 

[TeaPig]

It's still most likely to be the valve clearances, just one is all it takes to make a ticking noise, as does the rocker endfloat. Before getting any more worried about it, the cover needs to come off and the clearances checked. It's at most a 20 min job from start to finish

 

[Beemerman59]

Out of interest, can the valve clearances be done without the oil being drained from full (i.e top of sight glass) and leaving the bike level on the centre stand?

 

[MIKA]

Out of interest, can the valve clearances be done without the oil being drained from full (i.e top of sight glass) and leaving the bike level on the centre stand?

Yes, just make sure the engine is cold when you set the clearances.

 

[SM46]

My RH cylinder head seems to have developed a ticking noise where the freqency follows the engine revs. Sounds like a sewing machine. Can hear it at 90+mph through helmet

Any ideas what this could be?

Ta
Mike.

That sounds very dangerous to me, do'nt think i'd be leaning down at 90mph
listening to the RH head!!

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Same frequency as crank speed: Small end bearing about to let go, broken piston ring etc.

Half crankshaft frequency: Valve train problem.

If you can compare the frequency of a noise to the crankshaft rpm just by listening it you're a better man than me...

 

[SMB]

Are you sure you won’t invalidate your warranty if you know you have a fault / suspected fault, but continue to ride the bike. Certainly the extended BMW warranty has that clause in the terms and conditions.
Having expressed your concerns on an open forum, pleading that “This has just happened” might be a little difficult.
Just a thought.
SMB

 

[TeaPig]

Please just check the clearances....

 

[Pukmeister]

If you can compare the frequency of a noise to the crankshaft rpm just by listening it you're a better man than me...

It's not that hard to do at tickover, but at 90mph I see your point.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Are you sure you won’t invalidate your warranty if you know you have a fault / suspected fault, but continue to ride the bike. Certainly the extended BMW warranty has that clause in the terms and conditions.
Having expressed your concerns on an open forum, pleading that “This has just happened” might be a little difficult.
Just a thought.
SMB

Yes. Reported issue to dealer. Dealer did not advise to stop riding bike, was flexible on available slots, and did not state any urgency. Simple.

 

[WindyChuffer]

That sounds very dangerous to me, do'nt think i'd be leaning down at 90mph
listening to the RH head!!

Can hear it from riding position. Its a pretty feckin unmissable noise.

Besides, hanging down at that speed on clear motorway is fine. Adjusting fog light aim whilst riding is no problem, as is riding with no hands or even riding side saddle. I wouldn't want to be riding standing up with no hands at 90 though.