Ticking noise?

[bcade]

So after starting up my bike to warm it up before class I noticed a ticking noise.

I usually ride with earplugs or headphones so I have no idea when it started, but it was not there when I bought the bike a little over a week ago, and 600 miles younger.

I decided to ride with no ear protection to hear it, and the ticking was at engine speed, possibly valvetrain but certainly not driveline. The fluid levels were fine and the oil does not look funny, also there does not seem to be any power loss whatsoever. I have very limited tools where I live (college student) so there is not much more I can do to diagnose it. I always put 91oct in it as thats the best there is out here so it should not be pinging, also I have the tors exhaust with the factory tune.

Unfortunately the nearest triumph dealership is 300 miles away otherwise I would be bothering them right now haha.


Any insight is much appreciated.

[ExPatTommo]

I have to admit that my 06 S3 is quite noisy so it could be normal. Is it coming from any particular side of the engine?

[bcade]

On 2007-03-28 16:56, ExPatTommo wrote:
I have to admit that my 06 S3 is quite noisy so it could be normal. Is it coming from any particular side of the engine?

Yea strange thing, I started it up to try and get a location, after maybe 15 seconds it suddenly got much quiter, hardly noticible over all the other noises.

It did seem to be coming from the front upper area of the motor, no perticular side. I noticed that it looks like the factory tightened the header bolts by first sinching the lower ones all the way down, then the upper ones as far as they would go, leaving a 1/4"ish gap between the headers and head.

[jnicosia]

yea I know it's bothering ya but it's normal these engines are very noisy and pingy, mines like that since new and now it has 9500 miles and still working great. just ride it and don't worry about it.

[bcade]

On 2007-03-28 19:16, jnicosia wrote:
yea I know it's bothering ya but it's normal these engines are very noisy and pingy, mines like that since new and now it has 9500 miles and still working great. just ride it and don't worry about it.

Yea the thing only has 5k on it so I really doubt the motor is hurt but just wanted to make sure. I'm coming home for sping break and theres a triumph dealer a few blocks away so I think ill drop by and ask around.

Thanks guys, its a load off my mind as now that my duc is gone the s3 is my only set of wheels.

[miker]

You should hear a pre 05 model! Noisier than a 62 Volkswagen.

One thing that you may want to check is the exhaust manifold bolts. I had a loose one that leaked a little exhaust in a "ticking" fashion when it was cold, and although when it was warm it was less noticeable, it was still there.

If that's all fine, ride it like you stole it, it's only going to get noiser the older it gets :-)

Mick

[Nimec2320]

Its the valves and rocker assembely in the head. Nothing at all to get worked up about.

[jlzmeehan]

On 2007-03-29 00:47, Nimec2320 wrote:
Its the valves and rocker assembely in the head. Nothing at all to get worked up about.

Yes.
The other possible causes mentioned are not too uncommon.My header bolts were a pain to tighten properly when I re-installed them.A tiny header leak sounds just like a bad valve. I got the header good and hot and evenly torqued all the bolts again,and again.that did the trick.I also took the reed valves out along with the other SAI components.I still have the normal valve clatter,however.

[bcade]

Okay, I'm pretty sure its the exhaust, which would make sence as when the metal heats up it shrinks up the leak, and unless I have one very noisy rocker it is too infrequent to be valvetrain noise.

Should there be a gap between the header (exhaust manifold) flanges and the head, and if so how much? Also would anyone happen to have the torque specs and sequence for them?


Thanks again guys!

[2Scared2Wheelie]

Ticking noise!?!?

I'd get off that thing QUICK... and call the bomb squad!!!

:wink: