Author Topic: Rumbling noise on start up  (Read 16668 times)

Offline Ricnewlgtr

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Rumbling noise on start up
« on: June 22, 2013, 11:58:27 AM »
Hi there.

I purchased my 2009 1400GTR 2 years ago. When I started the engine from cold there was a rumbling (almost like worn main bearings) which disappeared after about one second. I took it back to the dealer who rectified the problem. Apparently it was a balance shaft out of adjustment.

I've just toured Europe over a 2 week period and guess what? Yeap, it's started rumbling again....

Has anyone else had a similar experience and is there a permanent cure?

Offline Bryn

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2013, 01:00:12 PM »
Welcome along  8)

New one on me.  :o

Offline rcannon409

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2013, 02:07:05 PM »
That noise is the cam chain tensioner.  On this bike it is  mechanical as well as hydraulic.  If the cam chain is slightly loose, you'll hear this noise until pressure builds. At some point it stretches more, and a mechanical click will happen.  It then sounds more quiet until it stretches again.   

Its not a problem, but it sure sounds awful. Mines just about to "click" again, then I'll have piece and quiet at start up....for a while, that is.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2013, 04:01:49 PM »
Some folks have the noise, some don't.  I do and it makes no difference (my bike) with type of oil, side stand or center stand or hanging it upside down from the rafters.
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2013, 06:21:53 AM »
It's normal.
The grass isn't always greener.

Offline Conrad

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2013, 07:12:38 AM »
Yep, normal. I wouldn't describe it as a rumble though.
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2013, 07:39:17 AM »
Yep, more like a rattle.
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Offline rcannon409

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2013, 05:19:37 PM »
If you pulled a tensioner out, it is obvious why some bikes make the noise while others dont.  IF the chain happens to be at the perfect tension just as a click happens, no noise.  IF the chain needs some pressure to achieve perfect tension, you'll get the noise until the pressure takes up the slack.

In the old days, tensioning the chain was part of the 4000 mile service.  You'd check it with an oil change and adjust if necessary.  It was fairly easy to set since the adjustor was usually between the two sets of cylinders on the front of the motor.

Offline Daytona_Mike

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2013, 06:18:33 PM »
I was wondering what that start up rattle was.  Now I know. Thank You.
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Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2013, 06:27:48 PM »
Somebody documented that way back when but I can't remember who it was....  8)



Plunger pushed back as it would be on startup before oil pressure built up:


Plunger extended under spring force:


I have been using an APE manual tensioner for a long time now (50K? 60K miles?) and it does eliminate the start up rattle. It also needs adjusting but only every 30+ K miles or so.



By the way, the CCT is not what actually makes the start up rattle. It is the cam chain knocking on the side of the crankcase while it is loose. If you stand the bike up and start it, it will not make that rattle even with an automatic CCT in place because the chain does not lean to the left side as it does when the bike is on the side stand.

Brian

If you pulled a tensioner out, it is obvious why some bikes make the noise while others dont.  IF the chain happens to be at the perfect tension just as a click happens, no noise.  IF the chain needs some pressure to achieve perfect tension, you'll get the noise until the pressure takes up the slack.

In the old days, tensioning the chain was part of the 4000 mile service.  You'd check it with an oil change and adjust if necessary.  It was fairly easy to set since the adjustor was usually between the two sets of cylinders on the front of the motor.
« Last Edit: June 27, 2014, 09:03:23 AM by B.D.F. »
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2013, 08:10:35 PM »
Somebody documented that way back when but I can't remember who it was....  8)


Someone with the initials B.D.F perhaps?  How do I know this?  I'm psychotic, that's how!
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Offline Daytona_Mike

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2013, 08:24:19 PM »
I had to try it.  Stand the bike up and no rattle.
Just a plethora of information that just never ends.
thanks again
If you still have fuel in the tank, you are not lost yet
Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #12 on: June 24, 2013, 04:43:41 AM »
Oh, there's lots more where that came from...
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Offline Conrad

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #13 on: June 24, 2013, 04:46:23 AM »
Someone with the initials B.D.F perhaps?  How do I know this?  I'm psychotic, that's how!

I heard that about you Jim...
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Offline Bryn

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2013, 02:00:15 AM »
I had to try it.  Stand the bike up and no rattle.
Just a plethora of information that just never ends.
thanks again

That's it then.  Always start it when its on the centre stand ....  8)

Offline gPink

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #15 on: June 27, 2013, 04:01:15 AM »
That's it then.  Always start it when its on the centre stand ....  8)
Like hell I will.
By the way, spell check says centre bad, center good.  ;)

Offline Bryn

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #16 on: June 27, 2013, 05:33:56 AM »
Like hell I will.
By the way, spell check says centre bad, center good.  ;)

Not here in the home of the English language ..... :D

Offline chap

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #17 on: June 27, 2013, 10:46:35 AM »
Not here in the home of the English language ..... :D

center i.e. center of a circle

centre i.e. shopping centre

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Offline B.D.F.

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #18 on: June 27, 2013, 11:15:13 AM »
 ;D It IS hard to trump that one....

Funny thing though about language- I (an American) tend to view English as your (UK) language so any differences are our deviations from the original. But in reality, both versions of the language have been in continuous development right along so any given change might have come from either country, and much later than when American English branched off from UK English. A good example is aluminum; the obvious is that your version always did have the extra syllable in it but in fact, you used to spell and pronounce it correctly ( :-)  ). It was sometime in the 20th century that someone on the island decided that word needed more letters and pronunciation to better align with some other elements.

Brian

Not here in the home of the English language ..... :D
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Offline RBX QB

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Re: Rumbling noise on start up
« Reply #19 on: June 27, 2013, 11:59:47 AM »
center i.e. center of a circle

centre i.e. shopping centre

Gentlemen, this is a motorcycle forum, NOT a University course.


That said (from the Oxford English Dictionary website):

Definition of centre

1 the point that is equally distant from every point on the circumference of a circle or sphere.
     a point or part that is equally distant from all sides, ends, or surfaces of something:
     the centre of the ceiling
     the city centre
     a political party or group whose opinions avoid extremes:
     [as modifier]:
       a new centre party
       the middle player in a line or group in certain team games.
       a kick, hit, or throw of the ball from the side to the middle of field in soccer, hockey, and other team games.
       the filling in a chocolate:
       truffles with liqueur centres
      a pivot or axis of rotation.
      a conical adjustable support for a workpiece in a lathe or similar machine.

2 the point from which an activity or process is directed, or on which it is focused:
     the city was a centre of discontent
     the managing director is at the centre of a row over policy
     the most important place in the respect specified:
     Geneva was then the centre of the banking world

3 a place or group of buildings where a specified activity is concentrated:
     a conference centre




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