Ticking sound from engine

[Mister Tee]

So I've been hearing a light ticking sound from the engine, noticeable at idle and low rpm's.  Lessens when the engine is hot.  I don't know if it was always there and I just never noticed it, or it's new.

Similar to the sound my GSXR makes, due to the cam chain tensioner.  Same thing?  Something to be concerned with?

[ZG]

Exhaust leak?

[Excavator]

Header bolts are loose.

[Shoe]

Loose change in the glove box.

[VirginiaJim]

Lost clock?

[nibby]

I have just developed the same noise at 20k miles. goes away after several minutes. Had my valve adjustment at 15k miles and nothing, ran sea-foam in the oil to clean and did a great job, improved performance a great deal.
thinking the valve adjustment was done with carbon build up, after running sea-foam cleaned up carbon deposits and left and adjustment for me to do.

[darrell]

My buddy I visited out In Colorado has the Kawi 450F dirtbike.  He started my bike one morning and heard the ticking.  Says to me "Your injectors tick just like mine do.  I guess all Kawi injectors do that."  Sure enough, he started his and it was the same exact ticking.

I was a bit concerned about that sound till he said that to me.  Now, not so much.

-darrell

[DenverC-14]

My Vulcan 900 made all sorts of noises. Combination of the valves and injectors. I never worried about it. My connie makes a slight tick from time to time, but after 26k+ miles(major services done) it doesn't bother me in the least.

[stevewfl]

My buddy I visited out In Colorado has the Kawi 450F dirtbike.  He started my bike one morning and heard the ticking.  Says to me "Your injectors tick just like mine do.  I guess all Kawi injectors do that."  Sure enough, he started his and it was the same exact ticking.

I was a bit concerned about that sound till he said that to me.  Now, not so much.

-darrell

+1

If a Kawi isn't ticking, rattlin' and losing parts (such as the luggage) something is bad wrong with it 

[Gearhead82]

Like others mentioned, it's probably a small exhaust leak where one of the header pipes meets the head.  As soon as the parts heat up a little and expand, it seals up the leak.   It's common to find loose header nuts on this bike. 

The cam chain on this bike does commonly make some noise for the first couple seconds after start up.  This is normal, but it's more of a rattle sound than a ticking sound.

[gonzosc1]

I had ticking last week, tighten header bolts and that did it.  as far as valves ticking goes, I can't say with the inline 4 motors. this is the first one I've had.  had many kawi's cruisers over the years and "all" of them had ticking valves or something. now I just accept this from kawi as the norm.

[lather]

What were the details of the valve adjustment? In what way did the seafoam improve performance and how? Did you have a performance problem after the adjustment that prompted you to use Seafoam?

I have just developed the same noise at 20k miles. goes away after several minutes. Had my valve adjustment at 15k miles and nothing, ran sea-foam in the oil to clean and did a great job, improved performance a great deal.
thinking the valve adjustment was done with carbon build up, after running sea-foam cleaned up carbon deposits and left and adjustment for me to do.

[nibby]

no problem after the valve adjustment, I just put the seafoam in the oil to clean the engine as I have done with all my other bikes through the years. It cleans the carbon deposits. I was really surprised by the results from the cleaning, forgotten how strong this engine is. Here is the web-site; http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html
No-I do not sell this stuff, just a believer in keeping the internal engine clean and this is the best on the market. Paul

 

[Excavator]

no problem after the valve adjustment, I just put the seafoam in the oil to clean the engine as I have done with all my other bikes through the years. It cleans the carbon deposits. I was really surprised by the results from the cleaning, forgotten how strong this engine is. Here is the web-site; http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html
No-I do not sell this stuff, just a believer in keeping the internal engine clean and this is the best on the market. Paul

I agree, Seafoam is the best.

[B.D.F.]

Look on the side of the bike for the letters "F, J, and R". If you find them, someone has stolen your C-14 and replaced it with the inferior Yamaha product. Ticking is to be expected on these bikes- just bring it back to the dealer and they will install a new head and valve train with the correct clearances.

If 'those letters' are not found, it is probably what others have already said, an exhaust leak at one or more header pipes. Just snug up the exhaust bolts on the head and all will be well. If the bike is still under warranty, it <should> be a warranty job if you have a dealer you like and trust. Otherwise it is a fairly easy job once you remove some fairings and get a short socket and ratchet in there.

This is not to be confused with the C-14 start-up rattle which is caused by a loose cam chain tensioner. Nothing to worry about and nothing really wrong, just that the CCT is partially hydraulically operated and needs a few seconds to fill with oil after being shut off for a number of hours or more (overnight or longer).

Brian

So I've been hearing a light ticking sound from the engine, noticeable at idle and low rpm's.  Lessens when the engine is hot.  I don't know if it was always there and I just never noticed it, or it's new.

Similar to the sound my GSXR makes, due to the cam chain tensioner.  Same thing?  Something to be concerned with?

[lather]

no problem after the valve adjustment, I just put the seafoam in the oil to clean the engine as I have done with all my other bikes through the years. It cleans the carbon deposits. I was really surprised by the results from the cleaning, forgotten how strong this engine is. Here is the web-site; http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment.html
No-I do not sell this stuff, just a believer in keeping the internal engine clean and this is the best on the market. Paul

So your saying your C14 gradually lost some power over 20,000 miles due to carbon deposits but the Seafoam added to the oil cleaned up the carbon deposits resulting in noticeably restored power. That 's sounds good, I like a clean engine too but I have my doubts. I believe carbon deposits generally accumulate in the combustion chamber and oil is not supposed to be getting in the combustion chambers. Are you sure you didn't add it to your fuel?

[Mister Tee]

Okay well I will do that then - check the tightness of the exhaust header bolts.  Won't get to it until the weekend though.

[nibby]

Lather, Nothing that will shoot you to the moon but I could tell that their was an improvement. I use it in both fuel and oil to clean. I am not telling people to do this, this is what I do and it has always worked for my cars and bikes. Everybody I know use it and they experience the same results. Been using it for years and I like the results.

[lather]

Lather, Nothing that will shoot you to the moon but I could tell that their was an improvement. I use it in both fuel and oil to clean. I am not telling people to do this, this is what I do and it has always worked for my cars and bikes. Everybody I know use it and they experience the same results. Been using it for years and I like the results.

Sounds good, I think I will try some.