Engine Noise - Top end

[njwmct]

Got a problem with my Z1000 Mark 2.
It's a low mileage motor at 6200 miles.
There is a noise that appears to be coming from the top end of the motor.
It's most evident at idle when the motor is cold - hard to describe but the noise comes & goes.
It's not a rattle like a camchain & it's not a heavy knock - it's more of an intermitent clanging noise.
The noise lessens when the motor has warmed up but it's still there slightly from time to time.
I had the alternator cover off to check that the rotor was tight & it was.
I will have a look under the camcover tomorrow.
Just wondered if anyone has experienced a similar thing?

Did a bit more investigation along with my good mate Jeff (jphaynes669) this saturday.
We had the cam cover off - checked that all of the cam caps were tight - checked the valve clearances - fitted a manual cam chain tensioner - did an oil & filter change switching from semi-synthetic to mineral oil 15W/40
We also tipped a few cap fulls of oil all over all of the camshaft lobes.
At first we thought we'd cracked it as the noise had gone.
But unfortunately did a cold start this morning & the noise was back.
I'm starting to suspect the oil feed to the inlet camshaft.
If you remove the cam cover there is plenty of oil sitting in the areas/recesses around the exhaust camshaft but not around the inlet camshaft - is that normal or not - anyone?
The noise appears to be coming from the inlet camshaft area poss cylinder no.2

[Tonka]

Invest in a mechanics stethoscope, you will find exactly where it is then.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Automotive-Me ... 3a74ab23dc

Or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Ste ... 5af129b23f

[z1bman]

eliminate engine noises no tools required

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Proforce-Hard ... 5627a6493a

[njwmct]

eliminate engine noises no tools required

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Proforce-Hard ... 5627a6493a

Yes very good why did'nt I think of that

[njwmct]

Got a problem with my Z1000 Mark 2.
It's a low mileage motor at 6200 miles.
There is a noise that appears to be coming from the top end of the motor.
It's most evident at idle when the motor is cold - hard to describe but the noise comes & goes.
It's not a rattle like a camchain & it's not a heavy knock - it's more of an intermitent clanging noise.
The noise lessens when the motor has warmed up but it's still there slightly from time to time.
I had the alternator cover off to check that the rotor was tight & it was.
I will have a look under the camcover tomorrow.
Just wondered if anyone has experienced a similar thing?

Did a bit more investigation along with my good mate Jeff (jphaynes669) this saturday.
We had the cam cover off - checked that all of the cam caps were tight - checked the valve clearances - fitted a manual cam chain tensioner - did an oil & filter change switching from semi-synthetic to mineral oil 15W/40
We also tipped a few cap fulls of oil all over all of the camshaft lobes.
At first we thought we'd cracked it as the noise had gone.
But unfortunately did a cold start this morning & the noise was back.
I'm starting to suspect the oil feed to the inlet camshaft.
If you remove the cam cover there is plenty of oil sitting in the areas/recesses around the exhaust camshaft but not around the inlet camshaft - is that normal or not - anyone?
The noise appears to be coming from the inlet camshaft area poss cylinder no.2

What would be really helpful at this stage would be to know if the fact that 'there is plenty of oil sitting in the areas/recesses around the exhaust camshaft but not around the inlet camshaft' indicates an oil feed problem or if it's just a characteristic of the way the oil drains away from the cam box?

[Pigford]

Lots of oil in the cam top area is fine

[njwmct]

Lots of oil in the cam top area is fine

My point is 'there is plenty of oil sitting in the areas/recesses around the exhaust camshaft but not around the inlet camshaft'?

[Pigford]

Most will be in the exhaust cam area as that's where gravity will take it, as the engine is inclined forwards.

Any photo's and details of how long it was left since last run

[zed1015]

There is always more oil sat around the exhaust cam then the inlet.
You will soon know if there's a starvation problem as it will knock out the cam shells and score and blue the cam lobes, buckets and head in a very short time.
My everyday Z1R has always had a loud tick that comes and goes on initial startup which reappears whenever it feels like it at irregular intervals when hot.
Over the years i've rebuilt the head , fitted different valves,guides, cams,shells,buckets etc etc and the tick is still there.
A likely cause is probably a slightly loose bucket bore due to past abuse (the head is an ex race one) and past running with a low oil level or pissy battered oil
The only cure for that is to bore them oversize and fit GS1000 buckets.
I now ignore the tick,It hasn't got any worse in the last 15 years so i don't see it going bang anytime soon because of it.

As recommended earlier, earplugs or a new tight fitting helmet could be the answer.

[PAULJAC47]

You should have oil in the inlet cam area,as you put oil on when you stripped and noise went away temporarily this would indicate a blockage to this area,have you checked inlet gauze on oil pump?

[njwmct]

You should have oil in the inlet cam area,as you put oil on when you stripped and noise went away temporarily this would indicate a blockage to this area,have you checked inlet gauze on oil pump?

Yes that was going to be my next move to take off the sump & check the oil strainer

[Rich]

sounds like the cams slapping the shim/bucket, check your cam chain tensioner is working correctly and not backing off. Either that or the carbs are well out of balance.

[zed1015]

Although worth checking, a blocked oil pump gauze will starve all the cams , not just the inlets.
Exhaust cam gets the initial oil supply slightly later than the inlets and as they run hotter would show signs of oil shortage earlier than the inlet.
Oil supply to each cam is split to left and right. any significant blockage will affect only one pair of lobes,buckets and shells.
Oil restriction to both sides of the inlet cam only is highly unlikely.

[njwmct]

Although worth checking, a blocked oil pump gauze will starve all the cams , not just the inlets.
Exhaust cam gets the initial oil supply slightly later than the inlets and as they run hotter would show signs of oil shortage earlier than the inlet.
Oil supply to each cam is split to left and right. any significant blockage will affect only one pair of lobes,buckets and shells.
Oil restriction to both sides of the inlet cam only is highly unlikely.

Thanks - useful info.
I'm suspecting that the problem is in the area of no.2 inlet (or at least that is where my best attempt at pin pointing the noise has led me)

[zman]

Nick a bit frustrating but its your bikes way of building a bond between you both