Pic and tick

[Rubi76]

Hi there,

Been clocking a few km in the last week or so after getting my R65 and have noticed what sounds like a metallic ticking from the engine. Sounds like it might be coming from the front of the engine  
 
It only seems to do it when it hot ( we have had some really hot weather here lately ) and no tick/noise when cold. Any idea where I should be checking. I will check the tappet clearance over the weekend and make sure those are set correctly.

The previous owner said that a major service had been done not too long ago ( new plugs and air filter confirm this and engine oil still  looks clean )
She has 63000 km which I believe to be the correct mileage.

Any ideas what could cause the noise , are there common problems ?

Thanks

 [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

The ticking, usually is from the valve rocker arm area .

I would check your valve clearances, do it on a 'cold' engine, it hasn't been run, overnight kind of cold .

Also, check the clearance between the rocker arm and the support blocks at each end .

Excessive clearance here can add to the 'normal' noise these engines make .

If you are new to airhead BMW's, these bikes make a fair amount of strange noises, that Asian bikes don't have .

Great looking LS, by the way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[montmil]

Do you hear the "tick" at all revs or just at idle?

A mechanic's stethoscope or a long screwdriver can aid in locating where a noise may be emanating from. Placed on a valve cover, the racket is surprising. Check to see if the mechanical noise 'package' is the same, side-to-side.

Also, use the 'scope on the timing case and listen to the timing chain. The oiling system for the two sprockets, chain and a bearing is pretty exotic, if you consider tractor technology as top drawer. Actually, there's just a copper tube spitting oil in the general direction of the single-row chain. Old school lubrication at best.
   Problems with the timing case component lubrication occur when the engine is at low revs; think idle below about 1000-1100 rpm. We hear of Airhead owners touting their carb tuning and idle speeds in the 700-800 rpm range. Little do they know that they are decreasing the life of the gears, chain and guides.

The weekend is upon us. Get up tomorrow morning, grab some coffee and do a check/set of valve lash. Report back. We're all anxious to know.

Monte

[Air4Life]

Monte,

I believe this is what you meant to impart earlier: "Problems with the timing case component lubrication [is that it does not] occur when the engine is at low revs..."

ange

[montmil]

Monte,

I believe this is what you meant to impart earlier: "Problems with the timing case component lubrication [is that it does not] occur when the engine is at low revs..."

ange

Roger, that.

[Barry]

It only seems to do it when it hot ( we have had some really hot weather here lately ) and no tick/noise when cold.  

If it turns out not to be valve noise it could be oil pressure related in that previous comments about timing chain lubrication refer to the fact that the timing chain area only receives oil when the pressure exceeds the relief valve setting hence lack of lube at very low idle revs. Ref. the PO carrying out a service I would be checking the $2000 O ring to make sure you don't have low oil pressure when hot as a result of it not sealing properly.

[Rubi76]

Hi Barry ,

I have not got round to the tappet settings yet as another problem popped up on the gearbox. ( Seems like my poor bike needs a lot of TLC )

Where would I find the $2000 O-ring ?

How can I check the oil pressure when the motor is hot/cold ?

What is the normal idle speed of the R65 ?

[Barry]

Where would I find the $2000 O-ring ?

Oil filter installation relies on a large O ring which got it's $2000 name from the cost of engine repair if it fails or is incorrectly installed. Read about it on Antons site below. If you want to check it put a couple of planks under the wheels so that the bike leans well over on the side stand. You can then take the filter cover off with very little loss of oil. If there is a gasket fitted and it's dry when the cover comes off that would indicate that the O ring is sealing OK as the gasket is not there as an oil seal it's just a spacer to adjust compression of the O ring.

http://www.largiader.com/tech/filters/canister.html

How can I check the oil pressure when the motor is hot/cold ?

Well there isn't an easy way short of fitting a gauge. The oil warning light is linked to a pressure switch with a very low setting something like 7.5 PSI. The light should go out a start up and never come on or as much as flicker while the engine is running even at idle however hot the engine is. If it does that would indicate a problem as normally there should be at least 30 psi oil pressure at idle.

What is the normal idle speed of the R65 ?  

BMW official range is 800 - 1100 RPM but most people aim for 1050 RPM on a fully warmed up engine. In practice this is likely to mean 800 RPM after say 3 miles of running rising to 1050 RPM after 10 miles or more.

[Rubi76]

Where would I find the $2000 O-ring ?

Oil filter installation relies on a large O ring which got it's $2000 name from the cost of engine repair if it fails or is incorrectly installed. Read about it on Antons site below. If you want to check it put a couple of planks under the wheels so that the bike leans well over on the side stand. You can then take the filter cover off with very little loss of oil. If there is a gasket fitted and it's dry when the cover comes off that would indicate that the O ring is sealing OK as the gasket is not there as an oil seal it's just a spacer to adjust compression of the O ring.

http://www.largiader.com/tech/filters/canister.html

How can I check the oil pressure when the motor is hot/cold ?

Well there isn't an easy way short of fitting a gauge. The oil warning light is linked to a pressure switch with a very low setting something like 7.5 PSI. The light should go out a start up and never come on or as much as flicker while the engine is running even at idle however hot the engine is. If it does that would indicate a problem as normally there should be at least 30 psi oil pressure at idle.

What is the normal idle speed of the R65 ?  

BMW official range is 800 - 1100 RPM but most people aim for 1050 RPM on a fully warmed up engine. In practice this is likely to mean 800 RPM after say 3 miles of running rising to 1050 RPM after 10 miles or more.

Thanks for the info Barry, Well time to get back to the Click/tick noise after repairing the gearbox.

I have located that the noise is coming from the left hand side casing towards the front of the engine. Only happens when hot.
 After a bit of scratching around on the net I see that this could be the timing chain and related parts.

Question is how difficult is it to replace the chain and tensioner.
It looks labour intensive and some special tools would be required. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

How much damage can occur using the bike in this condition?