Author Topic: Please help to diagnose a noise? (Read 6130 times)

notoriusb.e.n · « **on:** 22 October 2013, 01:56:42 pm »

Hi folks.
I have an odd noise on my 03 fazer 600 - its like a bit of a rattly noise that increases in severity as you accelerate, then goes away when you get up to certain revs. Either that or its drowned out by the Beowulf.
I don't think its the cam chain, as I've had that before on a superdream and that rattled way worse than this, and also at a standstill. was proper rough.
I've checked the drive chain tension and it seems to be OK to me, got about an inch of play in total up and down? I'm going to try pushing the bike without the engine running see if it still makes the noise - which would hopefully indicate whether its the engine or something else. admittedly I hadn't thought of that yet. only other thing I can think of is the rear hugger might be a bit loose and rubbing against the rear tyre, but I would have seen signs of damage/wear to the hugger i'd have thought.
I appreciate the awkwardness of this request - as its difficult to describe a noise over the internet, and as it doesn't do it unless I'm riding I can't "record" it as such. but any ideas or at least reassurance that its likely to be something minor would be nice.
I should note that the bike still runs and rides perfectly fine with no noticeable adverse effects.

Fazerider · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 October 2013, 02:09:35 pm »

Even a correctly tensioned dive chain will be noisy if it's worn. Try pulling on the chain at the 3 o'clock position on the rear sprocket, if it's stretched enough to come away from the sprocket by a couple of millimetres it's probably the cause of the noise.

darrsi · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 October 2013, 02:54:50 pm »

Another thing you can eliminate, put the bike on the centre stand and spin the front wheel, i've had brake pads chattering before when they slightly catch on the discs, which is either a worn caliper or even just ill fitting pads.

Bit difficult to guess to be honest.

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 October 2013, 06:43:35 pm »

Done a little more home diagnosis.

it doesn't make any noises being pushed around.

I've eliminated the hugger as even wiggling it about (which you can't really do without abnormal force anyway) won't foul the rear tyre, so its not that.

so its looking like engine related possibly. Been sat on it revving and there is a tickety tappety chuggety noise which appears to come from the top left hand side of the engine and increases on revs. but then that could be normal.

I will try the chain pull anyway, just in case. I'd be quite relieved if its just needing new C+S, I've been expecting them to want doing at some point. but as its not done it while being pushed I don't know. but then I'm not pushing with the force of the engine either.

darrsi · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 October 2013, 07:17:38 pm »

You're describing the cam chain, like a sewing machine noise?

Have a look on YouTube and see if the sound is similar?

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fzs+600+cam+chain+noise&oq=fzs+600+cam+chain+noise&gs_l=youtube.3...955.7512.0.8321.23.23.0.0.0.0.207.1775.19j3j1.23.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.SJMRSl_0f_I

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 October 2013, 09:30:23 pm »

Well its nowhere near as bad as those noises no. and its not quite sewing machine, more tractor.

I will try and record it but as it mainly does it when riding rather than at a standstill its going to be awkward (don't have a cam other than phone camera)

darrsi · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 October 2013, 10:26:42 pm »

Quote from: notoriusb.e.n on 22 October 2013, 09:30:23 pm

Well its nowhere near as bad as those noises no. and its not quite sewing machine, more tractor.

I will try and record it but as it mainly does it when riding rather than at a standstill its going to be awkward (don't have a cam other than phone camera)

How can a tractor not be as bad as a sewing machine?

Doddsie · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 October 2013, 10:47:08 pm »

How can a tractor not be as bad as a sewing machine?

CRH · « **Reply #8 on:** 22 October 2013, 11:37:31 pm »

Quote from: Doddsie on 22 October 2013, 10:47:08 pm

How can a tractor not be as bad as a sewing machine?

......stop it doddsie?...you got me in....STITCHES here"

noggythenog · « **Reply #9 on:** 22 October 2013, 11:47:51 pm »

I dont know much really but a common thing with Fazers is having the chain too tight.

Also...,have you actually inspected the front sprocket....it could be shot to shit & the chain slipping.

Thrice....have you checked if your front sprocket nut is still attached....there's a known fault..if you havent checked it then do not ride again until you do & get back to us.

darrsi · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 October 2013, 06:19:50 am »

The thing about chain issues is that you "should" feel problems through your left foot rest.

I must confess i'm no closer to guessing what this noise is or where it's coming from?

midden · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 October 2013, 08:21:56 am »

Can you record sound with engine going through rev range with bike on stand.

darrsi · « **Reply #12 on:** 23 October 2013, 10:59:42 am »

Quote from: midden on 23 October 2013, 08:21:56 am

Can you record sound with engine going through rev range with bike on stand.

Have to be very careful doing this as the chain will slap and the bike becomes a bit unsafe.

midden · « **Reply #13 on:** 23 October 2013, 11:09:47 am »

I mean steady throttle control with gradual rev increase as opposed to blip blip wee

His Dudeness · « **Reply #14 on:** 23 October 2013, 01:41:36 pm »

Try covering the end of the exhaust with a rag as you're reving the engine to quieten the can. Should help you hear if it's a problem in the engine

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #15 on:** 23 October 2013, 09:20:14 pm »

by tractor i mean its a more gruff rumbly chugging noise than it is a sewing machine noise. it might be that the cam chain could be just on the way out, and its going to get more rattly if left unchecked.

Thanks for the rag tip. the exhaust is pretty loud so it does make determining location of noise a little awkward.

tried it on the centre stand in gear and yep, that chain does slap a bit.

Don't feel anything through my feet unfortunately so nothing there.

I will try and record it tomorrow and get it uploaded.

i've done the front sprocket nut upgrade so that certainly shouldn't be the cause. good point about the sprocket being worn though. haven't checked that. will do.

also tried pulling the chain backwards off the rear sprocket and no budge at all there.

darrsi · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 October 2013, 09:35:15 pm »

"...gruff rumbly chugging noise ..."

That sounds like me down the pub on a Saturday night.

My money's still on the camchain.
What is the mileage by the way?

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 October 2013, 01:29:58 pm »

14K. Which is why I'd be surprised if it were anything engine related. surely its not had enough use for anything to go there. have only done 2K myself and its definitely not had the hardest of lives - its pretty much mint still cosmetically.

darrsi · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 October 2013, 01:40:51 pm »

Quote from: notoriusb.e.n on 24 October 2013, 01:29:58 pm

14K. Which is why I'd be surprised if it were anything engine related. surely its not had enough use for anything to go there. have only done 2K myself and its definitely not had the hardest of lives - its pretty much mint still cosmetically.

Okay, that's more than likely ruled the cam chain out then.
We're gonna need to hear it to be able to guess any further i think!

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 October 2013, 01:54:24 pm »

Have recorded it going to upload to youtube when I get home tonight. Afraid its only the tickover noise, as I haven't a proper cam to record whilst riding.

darrsi · « **Reply #20 on:** 24 October 2013, 03:09:14 pm »

Quote from: notoriusb.e.n on 24 October 2013, 01:54:24 pm

Have recorded it going to upload to youtube when I get home tonight. Afraid its only the tickover noise, as I haven't a proper cam to record whilst riding.

Anything will be helpful

His Dudeness · « **Reply #21 on:** 24 October 2013, 04:55:58 pm »

Quote from: darrsi on 24 October 2013, 03:09:14 pm

Quote from: notoriusb.e.n on 24 October 2013, 01:54:24 pm
Have recorded it going to upload to youtube when I get home tonight. Afraid its only the tickover noise, as I haven't a proper cam to record whilst riding.

Anything will be helpful

In that case I think I may be of assistance. When you rev the engine it goes brooom broom and there's a ticking that sounds like someone doing some sewing on the back of a tractor . Hope that's cleared it up

CRH · « **Reply #22 on:** 24 October 2013, 06:03:15 pm »

Quote from: His Dudeness on 24 October 2013, 04:55:58 pm

Quote from: darrsi on 24 October 2013, 03:09:14 pm
Quote from: notoriusb.e.n on 24 October 2013, 01:54:24 pm
Have recorded it going to upload to youtube when I get home tonight. Afraid its only the tickover noise, as I haven't a proper cam to record whilst riding.

Anything will be helpful

In that case I think I may be of assistance. When you rev the engine it goes brooom broom and there's a ticking that sounds like someone doing some sewing on the back of a tractor . Hope that's cleared it up

....

notoriusb.e.n · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 October 2013, 01:50:01 pm »

Yeah I do apologise for the general vagueness of it all. its practically impossible to describe a noise, especially when you aren't quite sure yourself where its coming from or what it sounds like. Gah.
I put it down to having just got rid of 2 BMW's, first you hear an odd noise and then your bank account empties.
Well I gave up in the end and dropped by a mechanic on the way home from work last night. He reckons its transmission related, and wants to point it at the chain and sprockets due to them being the original ones - 10 years old and 14k miles. If thats all it is I'm happy and relieved. Really don't want anything serious wrong with this bike as its the nicest cleanest most reliable one I've had yet.

darrsi · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 October 2013, 01:58:32 pm »

As i said earlier, when the chain starts playing up it'll be felt through the left foot, normally caused by sticking links.
Saying that, many a noise and bad vibe have been cured by a new chain so it's always worth a go.