Hi I was riding my '86 fj1200 today that I've been working on all winter when the engine developed a loud rattle that increases with engine revs. Before this the bike ran like new with no engine noises. Can't hear rattle at idle. Sounds like top-end. Bike has 27,000 miles. Any ideas or responses appreciated Thanks
Punctuation could use some work. Needed a few minutes to get the problem statement. So this noise started suddenly? Or did it build up as you rode along? No noise when at idle kind of rules out valves. In the last day or two a member posted up finding his cam bolts loose. Not that I am suggesting you need to pull the valve cover right now. More information would help. Is the sound more Left side or Right side?
Exhaust header pipe ?
George
Didn't know my punctuation was being judged. Can't tell which side rattle is on. Could it be cam chain tensioner failed?
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 08:18:48 PM
Exhaust header pipe ?
George
Single wall pipes on 86/87...
Quote from: Ront on May 11, 2014, 08:31:31 PM
Didn't know my punctuation was being judged. Can't tell which side rattle is on. Could it be cam chain tensioner failed?
Not judged, you are asking for help/advise, making it more cryptic means more work for the generous (free) help you will get here. Help us help you.
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 10:19:48 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 08:18:48 PM
Exhaust header pipe ?
George
Single wall pipes on 86/87...
You are correct. His is an 86 :dash1:.
George
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 08:18:48 PM
Exhaust header pipe ?
George
This is a good suggestion and an easy one to eliminate. I have seen this a few times and read of it here as well. The header pipes can come loose (or the gaskets compress) and it presents itself not as an exhaust leak, but a rattle.
The header pipe "jumps" out from the head when it fires on that cylinder and snaps back in with a bang. It mimics a serious engine rattle very well.
Easy to check, just make sure the header bolts are all tight - NOT TOO TIGHT though.
Noel
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 10:52:07 PM
You are correct. His is an 86 :dash1:.
George
George, your heart is in the right place, keep the suggestions coming... Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and again... :mocking: Nothing but love for you George, looking forward to seeing you soon at the rally...
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 10:57:29 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 10:52:07 PM
You are correct. His is an 86 :dash1:.
George
George, your heart is in the right place, keep the suggestions coming... Even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and again... :mocking: Nothing but love for you George, looking forward to seeing you soon at the rally...
OK how about his chain :).. Also looking forward to seeing you and everyone else. Off the subject a bit, but do you know anyone looking for a 89-90 shock link that wants to covert to dog bones? One of the local wreckers here has one for 18.00. Its on e bay but no bidders yet.
George
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 11:02:17 PM
OK how about his chain :).. Also looking forward to seeing you and everyone else. Off the subject a bit, but do you know anyone looking for a 89-90 shock link that wants to covert to dog bones? One of the local wreckers here has one for 18.00. Its on e bay but no bidders yet.
George
I paid twice that for the 89' shock link in my garage. If you want your 84/87 to have dog bones, this is a good deal...
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 11:12:23 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 11:02:17 PM
OK how about his chain :).. Also looking forward to seeing you and everyone else. Off the subject a bit, but do you know anyone looking for a 89-90 shock link that wants to covert to dog bones? One of the local wreckers here has one for 18.00. Its on e bay but no bidders yet.
George
I paid twice that for the 89' shock link in my garage. If you want your 84/87 to have dog bones, this is a good deal...
Its the hard part to locate if anyone wants to do the conversion.
Have a good one
George
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 11:12:23 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 11:02:17 PM
OK how about his chain :).. Also looking forward to seeing you and everyone else. Off the subject a bit, but do you know anyone looking for a 89-90 shock link that wants to covert to dog bones? One of the local wreckers here has one for 18.00. Its on e bay but no bidders yet.
George
I paid twice that for the 89' shock link in my garage. If you want your 84/87 to have dog bones, this is a good deal...
George...buy it...do it now. They are rare as hen's teeth....seriously.
Someone who has a '84-87 and wants to convert to dog bones needs this link, actually called a "Relay Arm"
You will make someone's day....
I took me almost 3 months to find mine when I did my '84..... Damn inconvient.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 11, 2014, 11:46:49 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 11:12:23 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 11:02:17 PM
OK how about his chain :).. Also looking forward to seeing you and everyone else. Off the subject a bit, but do you know anyone looking for a 89-90 shock link that wants to covert to dog bones? One of the local wreckers here has one for 18.00. Its on e bay but no bidders yet.
George
I paid twice that for the 89' shock link in my garage. If you want your 84/87 to have dog bones, this is a good deal...
George...buy it...do it now. They are rare as hen's teeth....seriously.
Someone who has a '84-87 and wants to convert to dog bones needs this link, actually called a "Relay Arm"
You will make someone's day....
I took me almost 3 months to find mine when I did my '84..... Damn inconvient.
Pat...the last 2 times you suggested someone 'buy it'...well I did and was happy I followed your advice so here we go again and I'm on it...thanks :good2:
This might sound stupid, but check your oil level. If it's really low the engine will rattle like crazy....
Are you sure that it is the motor that is rattling? It could be almost anything that is loose. As suggested check the torque on your header bolts. If that's not the problem put a screwdriver handle in your ear and use the business end to locate/eliminate the source of the noise. Since there is no noise at idle I doubt that it is a motor problem, but I'd start with the head anyway.
Good luck
Ron, after ruling out loose bolts, did you see this? http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11667.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=11667.0)
If the cam caps are tight, pull out the cam chain tensioner and check it, and reinstall it.....
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5620.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5620.0)
Quote from: FJmonkey on May 11, 2014, 10:19:48 PM
Quote from: movenon on May 11, 2014, 08:18:48 PM
Exhaust header pipe ?
George
Single wall pipes on 86/87...
it could possibly be engine overheating a bit after its ran causing valves to chatter as they loosen up from heat?
As the engine heats up, valve lash is diminished due to thermal expansion of the cams and the valves themselves.
That's why you measure/adjust the valve clearances with a COLD motor.