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General Category => Yamaha FJ1100 / FJ1200 Running Problems => Topic started by: waricle on August 10, 2009, 07:29:58 AM

Title: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: waricle on August 10, 2009, 07:29:58 AM
The bike starts & runs well but the cam chain is noisy when idling.
Whats the cure?
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: mz_rider on August 10, 2009, 08:15:47 AM
Waricle,

Are you sure that the noise is coming from the cam chain? I've never heard of anyone having cam chain or tensioner problems. At big mileages the starter motor chain, which is untensioned, can rattle. I've found that this goes away when the motor heats up.

Stuart
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: threejagsteve on August 10, 2009, 03:44:53 PM
waricle,

FJs make all sorts of unsettling rattles (and even an occasional clank) when idling... the aforementioned starter chain, the clutch basket, etc.

If it's not getting worse and starting to sound serious, don't worry about it... you'll get used to it! ;)

Cheers,
threejagsteve
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: RichBaker on August 10, 2009, 09:52:03 PM
 The cam itself rattles side-side at idle, as well.... don't worry about it.
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: waricle on August 11, 2009, 05:31:18 AM
Thank you all for the reassuring replies!!
It will sound MUCH better with a helmet on.........
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: higbonzo on August 12, 2009, 11:56:57 AM
It could be the clutch.  They tend to raddle a bit.  Next time the bike is warm and idling, put in netural and pull the clutch lever to see if the sound changes.  If it does you can rest a little easier knowing where the sound is coming from.

Later......
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: Mark Olson on August 12, 2009, 01:49:33 PM
Quote from: waricle on August 10, 2009, 07:29:58 AM
The bike starts & runs well but the cam chain is noisy when idling.
Whats the cure?

turn the  idle up.

no kidding , It should be 1000-1200rpm.
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: waricle on August 13, 2009, 04:24:29 AM
Thanks for the replies,
I have it in bits at the moment painting the tank & fairing so won't be starting it up for a while.
The bike has 105,000 MILES up- (Its a British import) so it has lots of loose bits to fix.
It's great not being in a hurry and being able to give the spray putty a good week to dry & shrink before proceeding.
-but I do love the work!!
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: plouw on October 15, 2009, 12:29:27 AM
Got the same on my FJ 1100 50 000 KM, It irritate the hell out of me. I've heard about the FJ noises that can be ignored, but this sounds like trouble to me. On high rev driving it's fine, but stopping at a traffic light, the noise slowly comes back until its loud again. Ive set the revs above 1000RPM and the "cling-cling-Cling" noise got softer. I want to upgrade to FJ12000, but i love my bike FJ rocks. (The heavy beast)
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: MOTOMYSZOR on July 23, 2015, 02:57:18 PM
verrrry old topic but new (for me) noise..... And of course I can't just live it alone.....


Noise in my engine is getting louder (or it is auto-suggestion)
Valves are adjusted, starter chain noise is something what I know, clutch is quiet.

On this short video this noise is very noticeable. Any ideas?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tijoTZavw3I&feature=youtu.be
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tijoTZavw3I&feature=youtu.be)
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: FJmonkey on July 23, 2015, 03:23:39 PM
Cam or starter chain, normal for this engine. Set the idle RPM to 1000/1200 and deal with it. You can hear that it mellows out with RPM increase. To frequent and wrong sound for a valve tap. How many miles on the engine?
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: MOTOMYSZOR on July 23, 2015, 04:04:22 PM
almost 60.000 miles on the clock - more or less real.
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: ct7088 on July 23, 2015, 06:21:24 PM
That sounds like a chain with a rusted non flexing chain link to me. The crunchy noises don't sound very good. I have never split the case of any motorcycle. What do the experts think? When the microphone gets closer to the alternator-starter area the noise is more easily heard.
Chris
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: Pat Conlon on July 23, 2015, 06:39:38 PM
If you are worried about the cam chain you can always remove and reset the automatic tensioner.

The noise you hear is the starter chain which has no automatic tensioner. Very common noise in our FJ's
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: MOTOMYSZOR on July 24, 2015, 07:46:30 AM
I know the sound of the starter chain - is not this one.

This sound which I am concerned, is much lauder on left side when I am close to alternator. It comes from back of engine, from inside.

On this video, after unscrew cam chain tensioner in FZ9 the sound is very similar.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsPwTTTKPEk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsPwTTTKPEk)
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: MOTOMYSZOR on July 25, 2015, 03:54:53 PM
I just checked cam chain tensioner: all perfect, was locked on 3 tooth. So cam chain is in good condition.

Due lack of time I didn't start engine..... tomorrow I will check valve clearances.
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: fj1289 on July 25, 2015, 05:53:31 PM
At low RPMs the effects of an uneven carb synch show up more.  Turn up the idle a hair and try synching the carbs
Title: Re: Noisy cam chain when idling
Post by: MOTOMYSZOR on August 02, 2015, 06:16:59 AM
Carbs are balanced perfectly - (I have own Carbtune Pro).

I checked valves- all perfect.

From now on I will ignore that noise...... :music: