Spark plug noises...

[anutz]

So i have been turning the bike over each day for a few days now and from cold it is a little clicky.....

when i say clicky i percieve it to be the spark plugs - they sound rapid and constant initially and then after the engine warms up nicely they are much quiter and i eventually do not notice anything..for the most part....

it revvs fine, on the center stand, not road tested yet, and it revs strongly as i would expect to the limiter, no issue there...

so do spark plugs sound noisey initially or is that crap 

[darrsi]

You sure you're not mistaking it for cam chain noise?

[anutz]

i have not got lots of expeirence with these but i am 99% sure its not the chain - i will stick a video up of it - the chain should be spot on as i only just re-seated the head and its got lots of click on the tension adjuster.....also the engine has only got 18,000 miles on it....

it sounds electrical....if that makes sense.....its sounds sparky....not rattly or clicky like i would expect from a chain...but like i say little experience...

will rev it a little and see how the engine RPM changes the sound...

[anutz]

sticking a video up now - ignore the exhaust gurgles, its loose for now....

[His Dudeness]

Arcing causes a clicking noise like you described. It'll rise and fall with the revs. Try running the bike in the dark you might see a little spark around the spark plug boots

[anutz]

So in this video it sounds OK and i cannot hear the clickiing noises.....this is after it has been running for 15 minutes or so..

Will get one from cold later tonight, but it seems to be just from cold....i think..

[darrsi]

So in this video it sounds OK and i cannot hear the clickiing noises.....this is after it has been running for 15 minutes or so..

Will get one from cold later tonight, but it seems to be just from cold....i think..

Again you are describing cam chain noise, going away when the oil has warmed up, which is a good thing.
If it was arcing then it shouldn't make any difference if the bike's warm or not.
As the Dude says, check it in the dark anyway, 'cos there is always the small possibilty it could be both!

[anutz]

OK so have a video with it now - definitly.....can hear it clearly....uploading now....

IF it is cam chain noise, are we talking due to mis-adjustment, or tension adjuster not working, i know it was 100% spot on when i manually re-aligned with the head off.....

[anutz]

or is it normal from fazers, until they are warm?

anyway shall post once uploaded...

[anutz]

Here we go...

Turn the volume up and you will hear it......almost like a ticker....

[darrsi]

I can hear the cam chain.
As long at the noise goes away don't worry about it.


I've got sensitive hearing so it bugs the foc out of me, and it took about 6 months to click to next level last time as i mainly do short journeys without the chance of giving it too much welly.
When it clicked i thought there was something wrong, the sudden silence was deafening.   

[anutz]

ok cool - i shall run it for a little bit later and check it does disappear....

if it does not - what does it mean...is it the tension is not correct, when i re-aligned it i DID wind the engine through many cycles manually and so i know the "timing" should be ok....

[anutz]

OK so had it turned over a few more times and it is a rattle.......annoying the hell out of my now.....

Once i had got the head back on after snapping the cylinder head exhaust studs, it sounded smooth and no rattle...

SINCE then i have had to remove the tensioner and apply a NEW OEM gasket as there was a leak there as i did not use a new one....

And although i checked the timing manually i have actually not had it running since then - the past few days i turned it over and hence noticed this rattle..

So the fact i was messing with the tensioner does imply its cam chain tension related.....

I might get down to it the next few days and reset it - just a pain taking the tank and carbs etc off...

[darrsi]

When i bought my bike i had leaking oil out of the tensioner gasket after a spin, then discovered the bike had 4 litres of oil in it. 

[anutz]

i remember when i put mine back together i thought - i will chance it.....IDIOT 

So i had to sort the gasket out...

My main issue is that is sounded lovely once it was all adjusted - now it does not - so i am at a loss as to what has changed....

So will pull it out and reset it tonight then see what happens......getting a dab hand at it now...sadly...

[sinto]

You want to get something like this anutz, then you could listen more closely to where the noise is coming from.

[anutz]

nah the chap who comes to revive me when i finally collapse after messing with this engine will have one...

SO *** UPDATE *** i have got the carbs out and thought before i touch the tensionr i would pop the head cover off and check the timing...

Well after a few rotations i.e. 720++ its still bang on when TDC rolls over for Piston 1 - all the timing marks line up - does that imply its NOT the timing chain...would have tought if it was slack the timing would be shot...

I also checked the spark plugs, all seated fine and there is no sign of any loose chain between the sprockets....

I am not sure what to think as i am sure when i manually crank it there seems to be some slack

going back to have another look...on the plus side it was a rapid dismantle.....

[sinto]

nah the chap who comes to revive me when i finally collapse after messing with this engine will have one...

Seriously? You don't want him prodding you with that

going back to have another look...on the plus side it was a rapid dismantle.....

Just as well should be a quick rebuild too as you have an MOT soon

[anutz]

OK so re-assembled it after checking timing and still sounds terrible.......no idea what to check next but will try your idea sinto, remove the tensioner gasket - worth a try at least i may know if thats causing it

[anutz]

still have no idea how it can sound so bad but the timing marks be absolutely spot on - they line up 100%...

[sinto]

still have no idea how it can sound so bad but the timing marks be absolutely spot on - they line up 100%...

Right anutz, go back to what you first posted about plug noise, just check they're all in correctly and the coils are on the right plugs, sounds simple but one of them loose will cause you problems and through everything out.
Do one lead and one plug at a time, there should be numbers on the coil leads maybe 5 or 6 inches from plug end

[anutz]

So all plugs in the correct place, and it revs fine, does not seem down on power at all - when stood at least...

Just clicking like mad....

When i took it to bits a few hours ago i wound it round 10-15 revolutions manually with a socket on the flywheel....

bang in line all the time.....

Tommorow i shall disassemble again and this time remove the Tensioner gasket as thats the ONLY thing i added recently and it previously sounded lovely...

I have checked the oil and it is inbetween the correct markers....

[sinto]

That cam be your only problem then, if you were happy before you put tensioner gasket in and now it's not :-(
But why would a gasket do this?
Do you need a gasket in there? Is it oil within its holding? I've not stripped a fazer down so I don't really know where your talking about.

[sinto]

Read this anutz
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?topic=9372.0
Might be a few clues and symptoms for you

[Frosties]

Sounds like cam chain to me.

You can sometimes get the tensioner to move up a notch if - WITH IGNITION OFF - you select 2nd gear, clutch in, go backwards as fast you can then just dump the clutch. This moved mine up a notch on the tensioner and quietened it down. Worth a go fella, good luck fella