Funky Engine Noise

[Khurley424]

So, I finally swapped my forks following my crash, and got my bike back on the road. When I was locking my bike up at work, I noticed some anti freeze below the bike. I saw a few ml of fluid on the radiator cap, and a replacement for that is already in the mail. But then on my ride after work to my girlfriends place, the bike was making a funny noise. It sounded like a chain being dragged over a metal plate. It happened most noticeably after I closed the throttle at 7,000 rpm and coasted. On tonight's ride it was still there and almost more noticeable. It was still doing it on the over run, and although hard to hear because of wind noise I feel it may have been making the noise under normal use.

Now, my first thought was a non-lubed chain, but I lubed it and the issue persists. I'm not sure if it could possibly be related to the antifreeze I saw spilled, or if that could have simply been overflow. I'm fairly certain this isn't the generic FZ6 rattle, but I'm not sure what else this is. Maybe something else related to the timing chain?

Any help or insight is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!!

 

[Motogiro]

If it engine RPM dependent. Change with engine rev then it's likely the cam chain making noise. Depending on miles it may just need a new Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT) If it got lots of miles you may need a new cam chain, guides and CCT. Try to ascertain if it RPM or drive train related.

 

[Khurley424]

How involved is changing the cam chain tensioner? The bike has less than 2k miles, but has been crashed by myself and the previous owner.

 

[Motogiro]

How involved is changing the cam chain tensioner? The bike has less than 2k miles, but has been crashed by myself and the previous owner.

Changing the CCT is very easy but with just 2000 miles it's hard to think the CCT is failing already. Is the noise RPM dependent? Do you hear it while reving the engine while the bike is stopped?

 

[Khurley424]

Changing the CCT is very easy but with just 2000 miles it's hard to think the CCT is failing already. Is the noise RPM dependent? Do you hear it while reving the engine while the bike is stopped?

Just rode back from my girlfriends place now. Yes, it is rpm dependent. I revved it at a light, clutch in and in 1st gear. I haven't tried it in neutral yet. The bike does seem to chatter a bit in neutral.

Looking at YouTube can chain videos, those almost seem like more of a ticking noise, where like I said mine is very metallic, like a chain on a metal plate.

 

[Motogiro]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9q5VLaLT8Q]Noise coming from my FZ6 (Part 2) - YouTube[/ame]

and

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjahuRUVBys]Yamaha FZ6 2008 rattle noise - YouTube[/ame]

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

+1 on the above.

Even thou its low mileage, the bikes still an 06 and the CCT is 7 years old and the spring may have lost some tension.

Heres a picture and parts of the assembly:
Yamaha Motorcycle Parts 2006 FZ-6 - FZS6V CAMSHAFT CHAIN Diagram


Popping off the small right side, oblong cover will likely reveal some chain on aluminum contact of that CCT failed and the chain is slopping about. You don't have to remove the sensor or unplug it, just set it off to the side.

Its the cover just above the radiator hose, with the large center plug in it..

 

[Khurley424]

Noise coming from my FZ6 (Part 2) - YouTube

and

Yamaha FZ6 2008 rattle noise - YouTube

My bike sounds much more like the first video. Its the higher pitched whistling/metallic rattle that mine is making. Not so much the clicking in the second video. I may try to pop the cover off and look today. Any idea if there is oil behind the cover i need to worry about?

 

[Khurley424]

+1 on the above.

Even thou its low mileage, the bikes still an 06 and the CCT is 7 years old and the spring may have lost some tension.

Heres a picture and parts of the assembly:
Yamaha Motorcycle Parts 2006 FZ-6 - FZS6V CAMSHAFT CHAIN Diagram


Popping off the small right side, oblong cover will likely reveal some chain on aluminum contact of that CCT failed and the chain is slopping about. You don't have to remove the sensor or unplug it, just set it off to the side.

Its the cover just above the radiator hose, with the large center plug in it..

whoops meant to quote you and ask about the cover. In a replacement tensioner, any word on the APE manual one vs the OEM automatic?

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

whoops meant to quote you and ask about the cover. In a replacement tensioner, any word on the APE manual one vs the OEM automatic?

If the bikes on the side stand, no it won't leak any oil (maybe a drip or two from whats sloshed around inside).

As for the APE tensioner, it cannot fail and come loose (or break a spring) but it does require regular adjustment. I've never adjusted one, however if its too tight its really hard on the chain/sprockets etc. Too loose, it can jump some teeth and destroy your engine..


IMHO, I'd pull the side cover and confirm what's going on.

You may need the REAR guide too, that the tensioner pushes against as well... With a new OEM tensioner, you can forget about it for another upteen years...

Just as a side note, Yamaha, for the FJR 1300, has updated the tensioner over the years, putting in a stouter spring. I'd like to think they've done the same with the FZ..

 

[Khurley424]

If the bikes on the side stand, no it won't leak any oil (maybe a drip or two from whats sloshed around inside).

As for the APE tensioner, it cannot fail and come loose (or break a spring) but it does require regular adjustment. I've never adjusted one, however if its too tight its really hard on the chain/sprockets etc. Too loose, it can jump some teeth and destroy your engine..


IMHO, I'd pull the side cover and confirm what's going on.

You may need the REAR guide too, that the tensioner pushes against as well... With a new OEM tensioner, you can forget about it for another upteen years...

Just as a side note, Yamaha, for the FJR 1300, has updated the tensioner over the years, putting in a stouter spring. I'd like to think they've done the same with the FZ..

Ive ordered an APE tensioner. well see how it works.