Hey guys,

So I was showing my buddy my new 04' GS500F with 8,xxx miles on it, he noticed a noise in the bottom end while at idle, as soon as you give it gas even at 1500 rpm (idles at 1,2000) the noise is gone. The noise sounds like it is coming from the bottom end on the left side. It sounds like almost a slack chain or some thing to that effect. I'm at work right now so ill post a video later tonight. My buddy rode an 98 across the country and he said his never sounded like that.  Any ideas are welcome! Also its not a valve noise =) I wish it was!!!!

Thanks

Quote from: robfriedenberger on September 20, 2013, 10:51:22 AM
Hey guys,

So I was showing my buddy my new 04' GS500F with 8,xxx miles on it, he noticed a noise in the bottom end while at idle, as soon as you give it gas even at 1500 rpm (idles at 1,2000) the noise is gone. The noise sounds like it is coming from the bottom end on the left side. It sounds like almost a slack chain or some thing to that effect. I'm at work right now so ill post a video later tonight. My buddy rode an 98 across the country and he said his never sounded like that.  Any ideas are welcome! Also its not a valve noise =) I wish it was!!!!

Thanks

someone with more experience than me should step in, but isn't goats from the bottom left side? Other than that GS500 engines are noisy. I would suggest taking it to a mechanic and having them listen to it. I have some top end noise I thought could've been valves, took it to a shop down here, and they told me it was nothing but my engine getting older.

Haha, whats a mechanic. 

Usually the only time i take any thing to a mechanic is to get it inspected by law.....I hope that dose not change any time soon.

Thanks for the input!

Have you heard on the infamous GS500 camshaft endplay? that creates a knock sound.  There are probably some video clips buzzing around the net of it, but it is harmless.  Check into some of that info, and see if that sounds like what you have going on.  The bit about the sound disappearing above idle is the line I was hanging on, and thought of the endplay sound immediately.

Here is Suzuki's Service bulletin on the subject.
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/suzuki-line/107537d1166036602-gs-gsx-gsx-r-139-revised-gs500fk4-k5-engine-knock-idle-asmc_004983.pdf

- Bboy

I'll add that I've heard it on my '04 on occasion, but not often.  I believe others hear it more frequent, especially on older or higher mileage bikes 

A loose valve tappet ticks at a high frequency but the infamous camshaft sideplay knock is more a heavy thud compared to a tappet tick and occurs at a much lower frequency.

Knocks only at idle, only when hot, and goes away if you pick up the idle speed to 1500-2000 rpm while sitting there in neutral.  Can be confirmed by pulling valve cover and checking for excessive camshaft end play.

If it is the camshaft sideplay knock it can be eliminated by camshaft shimming but is harmless if left as is.  Heard it off and on  with my 97 GS that I put 80k miles on and I heard it early on with my 02 GS but haven't heard it for a long time with 99.9k miles on it now.

Some GSs have developed a counter balancer shaft knock but I've never heard one of those so don't know how they sound or when.  That would be in the bottom end.

Quote from: gsJack on September 20, 2013, 12:16:09 PM
A loose valve tappet ticks at a high frequency but the infamous camshaft sideplay knock is more a heavy thud compared to a tappet tick and occurs at a much lower frequency.

Knocks only at idle, only when hot, and goes away if you pick up the idle speed to 1500-2000 rpm while sitting there in neutral.  Can be confirmed by pulling valve cover and checking for excessive camshaft end play.

If it is the camshaft sideplay knock it can be eliminated by camshaft shimming but is harmless if left as is.  Heard it off and on  with my 97 GS that I put 80k miles on and I heard it early on with my 02 GS but haven't heard it for a long time with 99.9k miles on it now.

Some GSs have developed a counter balancer shaft knock but I've never heard one of those so don't know how they sound or when.  That would be in the bottom end.

Quote from: BockinBboy on September 20, 2013, 11:46:24 AM
Have you heard on the infamous GS500 camshaft endplay? that creates a knock sound.  There are probably some video clips buzzing around the net of it, but it is harmless.  Check into some of that info, and see if that sounds like what you have going on.  The bit about the sound disappearing above idle is the line I was hanging on, and thought of the endplay sound immediately.

Here is Suzuki's Service bulletin on the subject.
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/suzuki-line/107537d1166036602-gs-gsx-gsx-r-139-revised-gs500fk4-k5-engine-knock-idle-asmc_004983.pdf

- Bboy

I'll add that I've heard it on my '04 on occasion, but not often.  I believe others hear it more frequent, especially on older or higher mileage bikes 

It's like everyone didn't read that the noise is coming from the bottom end and not the top end.

I read it and that's why I also mentioned the possibility of it being a balancer shaft knock.  Are you sure the OP is sure exactly where it's coming from?  The fact it stops when the idle is picked up a bit above idle is a strong indication of the cam knock.

Quote from: gsJack on September 20, 2013, 04:54:28 PM
I read it and that's why I also mentioned the possibility of it being a balancer shaft knock.  Are you sure the OP is sure exactly where it's coming from?  The fact it stops when the idle is picked up a bit above idle is a strong indication of the cam knock.

The only reason I'd be almost positive he knew is because of the location of the noise was so specific (bottom left).

I suppose you're right though. I apologize.

Quote from: Dr.McNinja on September 20, 2013, 07:13:42 PM

Quote from: gsJack on September 20, 2013, 04:54:28 PM
I read it and that's why I also mentioned the possibility of it being a balancer shaft knock.  Are you sure the OP is sure exactly where it's coming from?  The fact it stops when the idle is picked up a bit above idle is a strong indication of the cam knock.

The only reason I'd be almost positive he knew is because of the location of the noise was so specific (bottom left).

I suppose you're right though. I apologize.

No apology needed, I was just pointing out the possible considerations but in fact I forgot to include the goats you had mentioned, I had intended to include that there too.  Rob said "It sounds like almost a slack chain or some thing to that effect" and that doesn't sound like a cam knock.  I have never heard goats on a GS but I had a similar condition on a CM400A years ago that gave no warning noise, when a magnet came loose it locked up the engine without warning and the engine would not turn again until the magnet was removed.  Goats would be from the bottom left.

It's easy to think a cam knock is from the bottom end until it's located because it sounds like a bottom end noise and not one you would expect to hear from the cam/valve area.

Quote from: BockinBboy on September 20, 2013, 11:46:24 AM
Have you heard on the infamous GS500 camshaft endplay? that creates a knock sound.  There are probably some video clips buzzing around the net of it, but it is harmless.  Check into some of that info, and see if that sounds like what you have going on.  The bit about the sound disappearing above idle is the line I was hanging on, and thought of the endplay sound immediately.

Here is Suzuki's Service bulletin on the subject.
http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/suzuki-line/107537d1166036602-gs-gsx-gsx-r-139-revised-gs500fk4-k5-engine-knock-idle-asmc_004983.pdf

- Bboy

I'll add that I've heard it on my '04 on occasion, but not often.  I believe others hear it more frequent, especially on older or higher mileage bikes 

cams are topside Eh?, to the OP can you describe how this noise sounds?, a tapping a knocking, what?, could be cam chain slap perhaps. not sure atm. we had a bunch of these at school as our tech dummies. I had to rig up a few to make horrible noises. which pained me cause I loved the gs and still do

with only 8k on it? knocking lower left? goes away when reved over 1500rpm and is it only once hot?  cam knock is up high, can happen while cold too.   while balencer is possible and wouldnt be a bad guess.  another rattle/ knocking kinda sound from lower left could also be coming from starter sprag and drive gear.

Engine noises can be deceiving as to where you think they are coming from. The screwdriver method is a good way to determine where they are originating.