A little help please

[bikedelic]

My '91 Evo engine has developed a noise that worries me. It is a ticking sound at low idle and I think I hear it most from the right side, around the cam chest/gear case cover, but I'm just not sure. Sometimes it sounds like it could be coming from the primary. It is quiet when the engine is cold/just started and louder/more regular when the engine is warm/hot.

The engine has about 45k miles on it. It has had good care and I have not dogged it too bad since I acquired it (3rd owner). I'm thinking tappet or roller or cam bushing or...?, but I am totally inexperienced with the inside of the engine.

I sure would appreciate any ideas to help diagnose what I'm hearing.

Thanks,
Gordon

[Dave63]

Willing to bet your front cylinder exhaust tappet is starting to go.

HOWEVER......you're also discribing the same sympton of a front cylinder exhaust leak. Check for the first.

[bikedelic]

Thanks Dave, I checked the nuts on the exhaust studs, they are snug. If it is a tappet, what is the process to confirm it?

[Dave63]

Basically, listen at the tappet block or the rocker box. I'd also listen at the pushrod tube.

Big issue with the Evo was the front exhaust pushrod was at such a hard angle, and the farthest away from the oil pump. The tappet suffers.

Before you do that, as well, pull the tappet oil screen and make sure it's not blocked with anything, reducing oil flow.

[bikedelic]

Thanks again, the first thing I did was pull the tappet oil screen and clean it. It looked good when I removed it. I have added some Seafoam to my oil and am going to ride it some tomorrow, then change the oil since it is due. I also checked the exhaust stud nuts before posting and they are O.K..

I will use a metal tube to listen at different points to see if I can hear something more definate. At times like this, quieter exhaust pipes would be a plus(not)!

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by bikedelic

At times like this, quieter exhaust pipes would be a plus(not)!

Call me retarded.....but I actually love my quiet pipes. (Not sewing machine quiet, but off a police bike) At times I'd like to have louder pipes, but not being able to hear something going south would bother me too.

Too boot.....catching some problems early can be the difference of a repair, or a rebuild.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

[JPWendtinc]

Originally Posted by Dave63

Call me retarded.....but I actually love my quiet pipes. (Not sewing machine quiet, but off a police bike) At times I'd like to have louder pipes, but not being able to hear something going south would bother me too.

Too boot.....catching some problems early can be the difference of a repair, or a rebuild.

Maybe I'm just getting old.

You're retarded.

You asked for it.

Call me retarded but what is the tappet clock?


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by JPWendtinc

Call me retarded but what is the tappet clock?

Just like a tappet BLOCK but with a "c".........

[JPWendtinc]

Originally Posted by Dave63

Just like a tappet BLOCK but with a "c".........

For everyone that looks at this, here is a prime example of why not to second guess yourself.

I figured block, but then I thought Dave knows a lot more about bikes than I do so there must be a clock as well........... Turns out that there is not.


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[webco2]

Originally Posted by JPWendtinc

For everyone that looks at this, here is a prime example of why not to second guess yourself.

I figured block, but then I thought Dave knows a lot more about bikes than I do so there must be a clock as well........... Turns out that there is not.


Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

Now explain the differance between a tappet and a lifter.