knocking/rattle noise from cold/cool engine

[TheAudiDoc]

I have an appointment on the 20th and told the dealer they will keep the bike till it's fixed...all winter if necessary. i have the gtpp for 3 more years so it is all free it does kinda sound like spark knock and i hear it from under the gas tank and close to the faring

[TheAudiDoc]

and the spark knock theory would apply more under a large load or more throttle?? i am barely cracking the throttle to do this ... barely enough to accelerate

[TheAudiDoc]

well my old school kaw technician said the noise was valvetrain noise and told me to take out the mobil 1 synthetic and put in the stock kaw 10w40 conventional oil .... doing it tonight.... i hope he's right

[twowheeladdict]

Originally Posted by TheAudiDoc

well my old school kaw technician said the noise was valvetrain noise and told me to take out the mobil 1 synthetic and put in the stock kaw 10w40 conventional oil .... doing it tonight.... i hope he's right

I am using Mobil 1 for V-twin engines 20w-50. No issues.

[Vaqabond]

My '11 Vaquero does it too Doc. Only happens when the motor is cold and is worse when ambient temps are below 60f. It usually stops within 1-2 miles at any rpm (most noticeable when accelerating from dead stop) or when the temp gauge gets past 1/4.

I've tried letting it idle for 2-4 minutes before pulling off and it doesn't seem to matter. Sound is most noticeable from the right side cover at the throttle body and sure sounds like valve train to me.. Never does it after it's warmed up even if it sits for an hour. It's also not very noticeable if the ambient temps are 60f plus at first start up. Almost sounds sounds like the lifters aren't pumping up right away.

Good luck. I'd be interested to hear if they find anything.

[nukemaker]

Well just got her back from shop and after replacing primary chain and guides . NO change what so ever, still knocks under load all gears when cold and doesn't matter if she's left to warm up and i do use 10w40 dino oil not syn. I put an extra 2yrs gtpp on her because can't aford to dump her just yet for a Victory cross country!

[TX1677095]

Originally Posted by TheAudiDoc

well my old school kaw technician said the noise was valvetrain noise and told me to take out the mobil 1 synthetic and put in the stock kaw 10w40 conventional oil .... doing it tonight.... i hope he's right

Sounds like your "old-school" technician needs to go back to school for some refresher courses.

[TheAudiDoc]

my tech has been working on kawasaki bikes for 20+ years and claims to have had 10-12 v-twins do this and the oil quieted down the valve train....worth a try before majoe engine teardown

[DESERT ANGEL]

hey doc I do a engine oil analisis on my freightliner engine every oil change 20000 miles at that miles oil is still good just dirty i could go longer if wanted


I also done it on the trans and diff.


It tell you the kind and % of of metals found, fuel in oil, coolantin oil, if found in oil and other inportant things

I pay about 30 dollars at truck stops in my area

you may find in the internet

[tomdez]

I would not worry about the knock. My Nomad does the same thing. I bought a new Corvette in 1995 that does the same thing when the temperature is below 70 degrees. I still ,own, and it still does it.