Another "WTF noise is this?" thread.

[thebook92]

2001 GS500E, 11k miles. It's been making this ticking noise up to 2500 or so RPM. I originally thought it was the valves, so I adjusted them and it didn't change anything. Cold or warm, it doesn't matter. I can't narrow it down to a particular side of the engine, and starting is unaffected. I took a video from a cold start (ran just long enough to take the choke off), but it's taking its sweet time to upload. Link here when it finally uploads.

Edit: Here's the video. http://youtu.be/mdT7Ct-jubY

[krsa2000]

Can't see your vid... (is tagged as private on YouTube)

[thebook92]

Okay, it's fixed now.

[gsJack]

Sure sounds like my starter clutch knock did.  Hot or cold and only up to about 2-3k rpm.  But wait for younger ears to hear it before you tear it apart.     Listen to noise from lower left cover with screwdriver to ear or a mechanics stethoscope, only a few bucks at Harbor Freight.

[thebook92]

I grabbed a screwdriver, and that is what it sounds like. So all I need to do is pull the left side cover, yank the whole flywheel assembly, and tighten down the screws on the back, right? Can I do that without draining the oil? I just changed it a couple hundred miles ago and I don't feel like doing it again unless I absolutely have to.

[robfriedenberger]

Nope gotta drain the oil, clean your drain pain and screen it. My starter clutch bolts were jacked so I was able to find replacements at ace, also you will need a 32mm spacer. Pick up a drain plug for a 97 or 01 civic you'll need that to pull it

[Joolstacho]

Be prepared for the rotor to be VERY tight on the taper. Make sure you have a good thread type extractor to pull it off, and be prepared to find 3 buggered socket bolts holding the starter clutch to the flywheel rotor, -if they have come loose they will most likely have damaged threads.

[thebook92]

I got everything taken apart, tightened up (yep, that was the problem), and put back together no problem. I torqued them correctly, but it sounds like one of them came loose again. What's the thread pitch on them, if anyone knows? I'll just go to the hardware store and pick three new ones and some blue Loctite up and do it again. Hopefully this means I won't have to tear it apart a third time.

[robfriedenberger]

I honestly forget but, I know ACE stocks them. I suggest that you let the lock tight sit up at least 12-24 hours before putting oil back in the bike.

If its making the same noise after you correct the issue, I'd start looking else where, starting with the cam shafts.

[thebook92]

There isn't an ACE anywhere within a 50-mile radius as far as I know though. Also, I should have clarified; the noise did go away for a few days after I did the job but it's starting to come back faintly.

[robfriedenberger]

The bolts are 8mm X 1.25 Allen, the noise should be gone for good after the repair.

[noworries]

Tx, Robfri, for that interesting tip on the Civic drain plug.

[robfriedenberger]

NP, yeah i forget who but another member posted about the rain plug being the same size an pitch. I verified on a spare rotor.