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Argh ticking noise from engine. Help me identify (sound file)

  • Thread starter Thread starter t3rmin
  • Start date Start date
bexabarr said:
I have that same exact noise going on... I was really worried... then I found out that it only happened when the gas tank was half full, I thought it had something to do with the petcock. when I put my ear on the tank it sounded like it was coming from there. Now I've read through this and you guys have got me worried. So if you find out what it is, please let me know! lol It's amazing how it is so easy to blame things when you don't want to deal with them.
Click to expand...

Wow. You are a prophet or something!

Would you guys believe it *IS* the petcock? Every time the engine vacuum on #2 cyl pulses, the petcock clicks. I verified this with "mouth vacuum" with the tank off the bike (makes a click every time you suck) and removing and plugging the petcock vacuum hose with the bike running (click gone). This is probably not proper operation for the petcock, but it's been leaky lately anyway so I'll probably do the "convert to manual" trick from the tips&tricks forum.

That's why it's so stinkin' loud with your ear/mic to the tank but you can't hear it otherwise. And that's why I could listen all over the motor with my screwdriver and not pin it down. The tank is like a guitar body and the petcock is like a guitar string. Unbelievable; I never would have guessed it!

Of course my clutch basket is also a bit chattery, and that's what's causing the slight pulsing in the clutch actuation lever. But I knew that already and it's not an uncommon thing... And the pulse in the tensioner knob is probably normal operation too; after all, it's supposed to automatically keep tension on that chain.

Plus the really good news is, after listening to every square inch of my motor with a screwdriver "stethascope", I can say that motor sounds pretty dang good!

Thanks, bexabarr! What a relief! ;-)
 
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Oh yeah? But I can hear a second, even more horrible sounding noise in that audio. It's too horrible to even mention what it could be. I didn't have the heart to say it.

Seriously, that's the loudest petcock I've ever heard. I haven't heard that on many bikes I've been around. The noise stops when running on prime position?
 
KEITH KRAUSE said:
Oh yeah? But I can hear a second, even more horrible sounding noise in that audio. It's too horrible to even mention what it could be. I didn't have the heart to say it.
Click to expand...

That's just the bewildered whimpers of an exasperated GS owner... ;-)

Seriously, that's the loudest petcock I've ever heard. I haven't heard that on many bikes I've been around. The noise stops when running on prime position?
Click to expand...

Didn't try prime but I can reproduce the sound exactly with the tank off the bike and a vacuum hose in my mouth. Also put the handy "eardriver" up to the petcock and *bingo*, you've obviously located the source. Plus no tickey when the bike is running and you remove the vacuum hose.
 
t3rmin said:
Wow. You are a prophet or something!

Would you guys believe it *IS* the petcock? Every time the engine vacuum on #2 cyl pulses, the petcock clicks. I verified this with "mouth vacuum" with the tank off the bike (makes a click every time you suck) and removing and plugging the petcock vacuum hose with the bike running (click gone). This is probably not proper operation for the petcock, but it's been leaky lately anyway so I'll probably do the "convert to manual" trick from the tips&tricks forum.

That's why it's so stinkin' loud with your ear/mic to the tank but you can't hear it otherwise. And that's why I could listen all over the motor with my screwdriver and not pin it down. The tank is like a guitar body and the petcock is like a guitar string. Unbelievable; I never would have guessed it!

Of course my clutch basket is also a bit chattery, and that's what's causing the slight pulsing in the clutch actuation lever. But I knew that already and it's not an uncommon thing... And the pulse in the tensioner knob is probably normal operation too; after all, it's supposed to automatically keep tension on that chain.

Plus the really good news is, after listening to every square inch of my motor with a screwdriver "stethascope", I can say that motor sounds pretty dang good!

Thanks, bexabarr! What a relief! ;-)
Click to expand...

Well done.
It's not where I was looking.
Another mystery solved and stored for future reference. We all benefit from these forums.
 
uff that is a relieve for me too!!! lol. Glad I could help. I think that this is the first time out of all my post that I actually help someone specifically. It is a good feeling let me tell ya. I knew this day would come hehe. Take care.
 
bexabarr said:
uff that is a relieve for me too!!! lol. Glad I could help. I think that this is the first time out of all my post that I actually help someone specifically. It is a good feeling let me tell ya. I knew this day would come hehe. Take care.
Click to expand...

Hehe. I must admit when I read your post earlier I thought to myself "yeah right, petcock -- he's out of his mind...". :-D
 
t3rmin said:
Hehe. I must admit when I read your post earlier I thought to myself "yeah right, petcock -- he's out of his mind...". :-D
Click to expand...

Hahaha...when I wrote it that's exactly the response I was expecting to get...
 
I'm going to check tomorrow, but it sounds like my bike as well. I've adjusted the valves but the sound persists.

Is the answer to "live" with it or replace/rebuild petcock?
 
So far my petcock is still working acceptably. If it bothers you or you have other petcock issues, replace with a Pingel or another OEM or whatever. The sound itself isn't an indication of failure, I don't think.
 
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