98 R1 knocking engine

13176 Views 45 Replies 14 Participants Last post by james1300, Dec 31, 2012

Essex05

Discussion Starter · Oct 7, 2012 (Edited)

Just bought this bike, it's in very good nick, 100% original, about 40k miles.

I noticed when the engine is hot (afer about 15 mins of riding) it starts making a knocking sound from the top of the engine (at idle only). Also between 4-5000tpm between half and full throttle I can clearly hear the camshafts working. (like a strong growl, don't know if that's normal or not.)

I've looked all over the internet but can't really find anything that explains my situation properly, it could be the cams, pistons or even exhaust gasket leaks.

Here is a video I made of the noise:

Thanks in advance! :vanish

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hertscol

· #2 · Oct 7, 2012

I hope you get a few replies soon. Interested in this.
I have a 98 on 37k miles, same noise. Watching this one.

deadbanana0717

· #3 · Oct 8, 2012

Essex05 said:
Just bought this bike, it's in very good nick, 100% original, about 40k miles.

I noticed when the engine is hot (afer about 15 mins of riding) it starts making a knocking sound from the top of the engine (at idle only). Also between 4-5000tpm between half and full throttle I can clearly hear the camshafts working. (like a strong growl, don't know if that's normal or not.)

I've looked all over the internet but can't really find anything that explains my situation properly, it could be the cams, pistons or even exhaust gasket leaks.

Here is a video I made of the noise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28MfVCcXb1c

Thanks in advance! :vanish

Very Nice Bike! Red and White! Clean looking too...

Not too sure, I had that problem with my 98s and 99... I was never able to find an explanation. Ive packed on 10K the 99 (approx 40K kms) and 3-5K on the 98, (50-55K kms)

both bikes still running fine just noisy at times.

Oil changes help. I have yet to pop the head off to check the valves tho.

Essex05

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 8, 2012 (Edited)

deadbanana0717 said:
Very Nice Bike! Red and White! Clean looking too...

Not too sure, I had that problem with my 98s and 99... I was never able to find an explanation. Ive packed on 10K the 99 (approx 40K kms) and 3-5K on the 98, (50-55K kms)

both bikes still running fine just noisy at times.

Oil changes help. I have yet to pop the head off to check the valves tho.

Thanks, yeah it's quite (very..) clean and runs beautiful except for that knocking noise. I don't know if the noise around 4-5000rpm is normal? It's like a fast knocking sound but it doesn't sound bad or anything. It flies tho.

I changed the oil as soon as I got it with 10-W40 semi synth, it seems to be a little quiter around the valves.

Even my 05 makes a lot of valve noises, I got the valves checked and adjusted just a 1000kms ago and since then it's been noisier, but that's probably because there's more room on the tappets now.

The knocking noise in the 98 is different and worrying me slightly.

Cheers.

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hertscol

· #5 · Oct 8, 2012 (Edited)

Your noise around 4 to 5k revs, like a rush of induction bark/growl?

Mine at idle after a run sounds like a dry top end old ford engine with tappets. It shakes a bit too. My clutch drags sometimes coming to a stop with lever pulled in, and can shake a bit in first setting off. I had put my noisy engine down to, clutch needing changing, valve adjustment needed or canchain tensioner needing changing. Others have also said the casing is thin on the 98s. Mine wobbles a bit with the noise too. Not too worried at the mo, oil changed, coolant good, rides lovely, but a big noise growly at 4 to 5k revs. Your video is just like my engine. Known my bike for one. Month only, I would like definitive answers too

hertscol

· #6 · Oct 8, 2012

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hertscol

· #7 · Oct 8, 2012

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lfoss79

· #8 · Oct 8, 2012

I have a 99 that i purchased this summer. Its got 17k miles. Sounds very similar to yours. Had a dealer look at it and he told me it was normal for Gen 1 r1s to be noisy once broke in. I'm not saying i believe him cause i dont think it sounds right. I have a k&n filter stage one jets kit and a yoshi pipe. Didn't know if the xtra fuel and air would make it do that. Hope you get a good answer ill be keeping an eye on this post.

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hertscol

· #9 · Oct 8, 2012

I've gone back to the standard exhaust as I feared the aftermarket was overstressing the engine

hertscol

· #10 · Oct 8, 2012

This video, a year back the guy put it down to the oil pump.

I just put a search into youtube r1 98 knocking. Watch all the videos associated. Interesting similarity and read the comments, then let's discuss.

hertscol

· #11 · Oct 8, 2012

http://www.r1-forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199676

Searching the forum is reassuring me a little. More comments over time on noisy R1 engines

hertscol

· #12 · Oct 8, 2012

Google

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=no...sugexp=chrome,mod=14&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

RedDragon666

· #13 · Oct 9, 2012

Essex05 said:
, but that's probably because there's more room on the tappets now.

just so you know there are no tappets, they use shim under buckets, and it sounds alot like piston slap on the video

Essex05

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 10, 2012

RedDragon666 said:
just so you know there are no tappets, they use shim under buckets, and it sounds alot like piston slap on the video

Doesn't piston slap generally occur when the engine is cold? As when the engine heats up the pistons expand into the chamber?

The knocking sound on my R1 only occurs when the engine is hot, totally heated up.

Thanks.

RedDragon666

· #15 · Oct 10, 2012

ok good point, i missed that part, can you take a long screw driver and place one end on different parts of the engine and the other end to your ear and try and pin point an area of the bike ie top end, cylinder, bottom end, left side, right side as to where the sound is originating? you said that it was a srtong growl, could be cam chain tension?

Essex05

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 10, 2012 (Edited)

RedDragon666 said:
ok good point, i missed that part, can you take a long screw driver and place one end on different parts of the engine and the other end to your ear and try and pin point an area of the bike ie top end, cylinder, bottom end, left side, right side as to where the sound is originating? you said that it was a srtong growl, could be cam chain tension?

I can't really identify where it comes from. If I put the screwdriver on the side of the engine, it all sounds fine. The chain doesn't seem to make any excessive noise, on idle or when being revved. Putting it on top of the engine and it seems to sound fine aswell.

The knocking noise comes from the very top of the engine, from right under the front of the frame. When I ride, anything over 5000rpm and it seems to make that "growling" noise, which isn't there at constant speed. I don't think it's normal as I remember riding an '01 from a friend of minde years ago and I think it didn't make that noise. It's more a rattle than a growl actually, but not like a "loose" rattle, more solid. I can actually very slightly "feel" the knocking through the handle bars once it's started.

If it's only when the engine is hot, this means it could be oil related? Meaning when the oil gets thinner it might not reach the top (camshaft?) of the engine?

Don't know, I'll wait for some replies before spending BIG bucks at a mechanic.

Here's where the majority of the noise seems to come from (both sides):

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hertscol

· #17 · Oct 14, 2012

Any more news?

roc_stone2000

· #18 · Oct 16, 2012

It's time for a full service boys, and get those valve clearances adjusted, which equates to 7hrs on the hoist for the bike and about $800 out of the kick for you. I just had mine done at 47K

dnlrff2

· #19 · Oct 17, 2012

I adjusted my exup cables and it changed the whole behavior of the bike, smoother and quieter helped with the 4 to 5 g rattle. I recommend having it done. can do it yourself with a manual and some hand tools.

malr1

· #20 · Oct 20, 2012

All 98 R1s are noisy, even from new. But this one is too noisy. Take the valve cover off and check for oil at the cams when running. If it's a top end problem, you see straight away.

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