82 GS750 valves pinging

[Guest]

Bike has 42K miles and runs great overall. The valves to me have always sounded "pingy". I did a recent adjustment and again the bike runs great. is it todays fuel that contains ethanol? I run premium only. also, the bike had carb work done somewhere along the line. What about octane boost?

Thanks

[Nessism]

So the engine is detonating under load? How about describing this noise, such as under what conditions you notice it? Detonation is not typical for GS bikes, other than maybe in high heat conditions, so something might be wrong.

What do the spark plugs look like? The bike could be running lean. Are their any modifications such as a header and/or pod air filters? If so, have the carbs been rejetted?

[Octain]

Wouldnt advanced timing also cause detonation?
Perhaps the timing just needs backed off a little.

[koolaid_kid]

Is the timing adjustable? It was not on my stock GS signal generator.
Why are you running 93 octane?
As a comparison, I run 93 octane in my GPz with factory timing and 10.75 compression with no detonation.
I also run 87 octane in my GS with factory timing and stock compression with no pinging. I am confused.

[mret430]

I guess i may not be describing this exactly. I realize a certain level of valve train noise is common. I can hear equal levels of tappet noise from low to highrpms. I did see other threads about using regular gas; I have only been using 93 octane.

[mret430]

I am realizing that valve train noise and pinging are not one in the same?

[Steve]

Bike has 42K miles and runs great overall. The valves to me have always sounded "pingy". I did a recent adjustment and again the bike runs great. is it todays fuel that contains ethanol? I run premium only. also, the bike had carb work done somewhere along the line. What about octane boost?

Thanks

If I remember correctly, ethanol has more octane than gasoline, but "octane" is NOT "power".

If you are running "premium" only, why not try running the proper, recommended grade?
You don't say where you are located on this fuzzy blue marble, but if you are in the USA, the recommended fuel is 87 or higher.
Again, more octane does not give you more power. In fact, "premium" grade gas has fewer BTUs per gallon than "regular" gas, so there is LESS energy available in a gallon of "premum" gas.

Octane boost is a Band-Aid. Why not fix the real problem?
Without being there to do some hands-on diagnosis, we can only guess what the problem might be, but typical culprits are deposits on the pistons or valves (easily caused by "premium" gas that is not needed), advanced timing, wrong jetting and others.

And, as far as the valves sounding "pingy", I have no clue on that. The stock clearances are about the thickness of a piece of paper, so they should be virtually silent. Even when they do make noise, it's more "clicky" than "pingy".

.

[Nessism]

I am realizing that valve train noise and pinging are not one in the same?

Completely different.

If the valves are making noise it would be your cam chain tensioner is stuck, or maybe the cam's are walking some (a common GS malady). Not sure. Can you post up a video of the noise?

[mret430]

Yes, "clicky" is the sound. I did a valve adjustment recently and according to Clymer manual the clearance is 0.09-0.13mm. would I get more "clicking" if I have the gap to wide?

[mret430]

Quick lesson on posting video?

[mret430]

http://mail.aol.com/35775-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=27044560&folder=NewMail&partId=1&saveAs=IMG_0146.MOV

See if this works.

[Nessism]

http://mail.aol.com/35775-111/aol-6/...s=IMG_0146.MOV

See if this works.

Sorry but can't view the video. You need to post it up to a site with free access, like Photobucket.

[Steve]

Yes, "clicky" is the sound. I did a valve adjustment recently and according to Clymer manual the clearance is 0.09-0.13mm. would I get more "clicking" if I have the gap to wide?

Clearances are correct, just make sure you are not mis-reading an INCH feeler set and using .009-.013".

Yes, more clearance is more "clicking".

Quick lesson on posting video?

1. Open a PhotoBucket account.
2. Upload your video.
3. Place your mouse over the uploaded video's thumbnail, you will see several links appear below. Click on the link with the IMG code. That will copy the link to your clipboard.
4. Come back to your GSR post, paste that link, we can then click on it to view it.
4a. There are ways to clean up the way the link looks, but those lessons come later.

.

[mret430]

Well, i'll send it to your email address you have indicated on your profile.

[Big T]

Bike has 42K miles and runs great overall. The valves to me have always sounded "pingy". I did a recent adjustment and again the bike runs great. is it todays fuel that contains ethanol? I run premium only. also, the bike had carb work done somewhere along the line. What about octane boost?

Thanks

Does it "ping" all the time, or just when you open the throttle?

What carb work was done?
What intake exhaust set up do you have?

Sound like an air leak as the most common thing

What do your spark plugs look like?

Forget the premium gas and the octane boost and actually work to solve your problem