Whineing to no end!

[earlfor]

As a last resort, I would drain the oil from the crankcase, remove both engine case covers, remove all four spark plugs and then spin the engine over with the starter. No faster than the starter can spin it over will not cause any damage with the oil drained out. With the cases off and the spark plugs out, you will not have to listen for the whine with the interference of the engine running. It should make it much easier to locate the source of the sound.

E.

[gustovh]

Good thought I think that I will try that. Have to get tons of gaskets again anyway.
V

[earlfor]

usually, spinning an engine over with the starter, spark plugs removed, the engine is about as noisy as a sewing machine. you should be able to hear the slightest tick or rubbing clearly.

E.

Good thought I think that I will try that. Have to get tons of gaskets again anyway.
V

[scaryhd]

I just joined GS Resources specifically for this same problem. Mine is a 1980 GS1000E with only 3,000 miles (a future story to be posted). The bike has sat idle for most of it's life. Just got it running again (stator replaced). The engine has always had a high whine (subtle), somewhat like an electric car. Within the past week the noise has become much more noticable, lower in pitch (though not as bad as gustovh's #3 recording) and I believe from the left side. I plan on pulling the stator cover tonight and check for the problems noted in this Thread (wire mounting screw, stator rubbing on cover, etc.). Will repost once completed.

[gustovh]

Well here is what Suzie Q sounds like with the valve cover off, plugs out, just turning over useing the starter. Can't run with the stator cover off for it supports the starter gear.

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/gustovh/?action=view&current=noise1001.flv

V

[49er]

Well here is what Suzie Q sounds like with the valve cover off, plugs out, just turning over useing the starter. Can't run with the stator cover off for it supports the starter gear.

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/gustovh/?action=view&current=noise1001.flv

V

That's quite a rhythmic sound. Is it being transferred up through the cam chain galley or through one of the spark plug holes? It sounds like something being repeatedly loaded by binding, then being released, over short cycles. Even a bent starter shaft?
Use a large screw driver as a stethoscope next to each plug hole to eliminate the possibility that the sound is coming from the top end.

[gustovh]

I ran it yesterday before I pulled the tank and listened with a stethascope all over the engine. The loudest I heard that noise was in the top rear cam chain area of the valve cover.
I have the battery on the charger and will test with the stethascope some more today. It doesn't seem to be makeing as loud a whine turning over so slow. Sure can hear the valves working though.
V

Is it possible to have a bearing going out in the lower end?

[gustovh]

Well check this one out. I was puling the timing chain from side to side. Kinda scritchy don't you think?
I ran the starter without the idler gear and it sounded like a starter I guess, no loud grinding or anything.

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w196/gustovh/?action=view&current=noise1001.flv

I think that the rollers in the timing chain are supposed to spin like a drive chain and if that is the case the rollers are not rolling on the T chain, only one side of the rollers is shiny.
Suggestions
V

[gustovh]

try this one http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w...ent=noise1.flv

[earlfor]

I still cannot identify what it is. I dont think its the cam chain. The sound seems to be of striking something and there isnt anything the cam chain can strike. If something is being struck hard enough to make that repetitive sound, I would remove the oil pan and put a 19mm wrench on the right crankshaft end, turning it to see if I could find the spot in rotation where I could feel the "strike". With the pan off, and listening from underneath, the noise of the valves wont interfere as much. I dont think the cause/noise is in the top end.

E.

try this one http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w...ent=noise1.flv

[gustovh]

I am concerned about all the wear on one side of the cam chain rollers, when tugged side to side, the chain doesn't feel smooth but hitchy. The grind/hitchy sound tugging it side to side doesn't sound normal either.
I have pulled the machine apart as far as I can go given my work space at this time.
V

[chef1366]

I bet your cam chain guide is worn or broken.
But I'm not a betting man.

[gustovh]

Hi Chief, which L do you ride, shaft or chain? I have pulled the front chain guide and found nothing broken or undue wear, I will replace it anyway. The rear guide still is in one piece, has good curve to it, is still attached to it's pivit point, places tenshion on the chain tight enough with the automatic tenshioner.
The noise as best that I can determine is traveling up the cam chain galley, which brings me back to an earlier question, could a bearing be going bad?
V

[earlfor]

There shouldnt be any wear pattern on the side plates of the cam chain.
I'll put my money on chef, and the problem is worn cam chain guides.

E.

I am concerned about all the wear on one side of the cam chain rollers, when tugged side to side, the chain doesn't feel smooth but hitchy. The grind/hitchy sound tugging it side to side doesn't sound normal either.
I have pulled the machine apart as far as I can go given my work space at this time.
V

[chef1366]

We have the same bike.