I have a 2006 zx14 with only 4000 miles on it, and it has a ticking sound when warm. It is not as noticable when its cold. I am not sure if it is rod knock, piston slap, or bad valves. I am pretty sure it is not the injectors or the cam timing chain tensioner. Can someone listen and give me an idea, if this engine is about to grenade or what.....

Thanks

http://youtu.be/0Fvq12SXXiY

Try tightening the exhaust header nuts. Seems you are pointing the camera there. I can't tell? The idle sounds high. 1,000 +/- 100 rpm is where it should idle. Start it cold. Do not rev the engine slow. Give it a low rpm blip. Let the idle settle, then low blip again. This brings out the knocking if it is going to knock. Turn it off quick too. A knock or tick noise will keep knocking with the engine off, and that slight run on may point out something?

Yeah camera was on right side fairing opening, the sound seems to be worse on that side.

yeah went out and tightened bolts, they did not seem too loose, hard as hell to get to though. turned on let and let warm up for about a minute, sound seems to be alittle quieter, but I can still hear it. I really just hope it is not something major.(lifter, rod, bearing....)

Before i tightened bolts noise seems to come from front of engine. seems to follow rpms from 1000-3000

went on a little ride still there...urgh!!!! any other ideas?

Early pistons made noise when broken in. I heard mine in around 2,000 miles. Started it up and she was loud. Never made anything odd like loss of power or smoking. The only other thing you can do is open the oil filter on the bike. Cut out the pleats. See if you see metal in copper in color or silver in color. If it is minor, like specks here and there... It's not going to grenade.

I don't hear a ticking noise.I hear the engine running fine.Having the camera right there is going to intensify any motor sound.Most of it's rebounding off the fairing in there IMO.What's it sound like sitting on the seat and recording...or having the camera right about where the stem nut is?On top there.Sounds normal...actually...sounds just like my 07 with the fairing off.My valves were virtually perfect at 24K miles.What oil weight are you using?Synthetic,or Dino?You have the fairing pads installed in there?

Honestly...it sounds fine to me.The cam chain is on that side....could be a tad bit of chain noise you're hearing....but that doesn't mean you have a problem with the chain or anything.4000 miles isn't that much.Give it some time...

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/16/2012 @ 12:11 AM *

I just changed the oil, just a few flakes, really minor, put in a part syn/part regular oil from castrol with the weight the specs call for. That ticking noise can be heard sitting on the bike as well.

thanks

Have you met the clown, THUNDER? I think he likes to hear himself talk. I'm going to agree with you, we still have a noise. Filter out his noise so we can keep finding your problem. The minor specs were from the filter's pleats? You need to follow thru with open heart surgery to that oil filter. That is your x-ray to the engine's health. You gotta do the work or let clown help you out... LOL

I heard the fan shut off. I see clean headers? They look stock. Engine sounds quiet at the [rear] pipe. Did you buy this used? Probably, right? Did the other owner have an aftermarket pipe on it? I'm trying to de-net your bike. All the variables you are not coming up with or do not know about the history of this bike, meaning. You say noise. I say noise. Clowntown thinks it's quiet. Who the fuck am I going to believe... GAS'd?

Warning: I believe this clown stated he had no valve lash changes at 24K miles? I had a shit load at 18K, so what gives? I wonder if the top cover was ever cracked open is the credibility of the other input. Take both for what its worth. You've been warned.

To narrow down the rumbles: on engine shutoff, I heard no knock. That is a good sign to me. It says no bottom end noise. No top end noise. No cam chain noise. That low to high sustain does nothing but covers your ticking noise. I don't need that blip sound. The shutdown was another way of hearing funny noise is you weeding out the exhaust ticks, valve ticks.

Go it? Cold engine? We have ticking? Wide gap cold ~ Tight gap hot?

1. Sporadic tick = This is when the shims are slapping when tight. It is a come and go ticking.
2. PAIR tick = This is switching with the throttle kind of ticking.
3. Exhaust tick = This is a constant tick.

Are we hearing a constant tick or a sporadic tick? Net input...

I think the easiest way to pinpoint the problem before taking anything apart would be to buy a mechanic stethoscope and "listen" to the engine with it. You can find one for less than $10.00 dollars at any AutoZone auto parts store.

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 5/16/2012 @ 9:26 AM *

With a keystroke, you go to movie maker, take that same video, press slow motion one time, click OK. Home he no need no step is scope is step to the 21st century, fella.

This tick is all the time, less noticable at higher rpms/higher speeds. also less noticable when cold.

now about that oil filter, it is gone! I will have to wait to disect at next oil change. I did the ol' screw driver to the ear thing and put the tip on the front of the engine and was able to hear the same tick through the screw driver.

you are right I am not the original owner, and from what I can see visually there was an aftermarket exhaust on it.

This tick is all the time ... and from what I can see visually there was an aftermarket exhaust on it.

With the input of the exhaust pipe change, the constant tick like every cylinder pulse, the possible crush of the old exhaust gasket getting a little air tick thru, I'm going for a change of new exhaust gaskets. I'm going with your good ear, the tick can't be valves. Too new an engine. It can't be the cam chain. Your bad ear would pick that up, so I trust your call on the noise situation.

The clowntowns would rather you wrinkle a valve as the tick now burns out even larger is the [possible] air tick is why I use that prick in my vids.

"Hi there,my mame's Pissear...affectionately known here as HUB...master tech....need to see pics of my finely tuned bike?Over on bikeland...yup....there they're there alright..I can't go there anymore myself...I've been kicked outta there...along with 47 other forums.Guys are just a bunch of ass hats. "nobody listens to turdle' Even the car forums don't like me....it's so sadI always have to find SOMEONE on these forums that I can RAG on...cause I feel so intimidated by whoever I think might know something about what's being discussed.I LOVE to blow smoke up yer asses.I've no real life....this is my playground.I LOVE confusing people if possible....I find em...there here....nice guys who honestly are looking for answers...yup....I find em...and throw shit in the mix as much as everyone will let me..until everyone gets my MO...then....i get forced to move along.Another trophy,another challenge.I've been at this for years....my hope is to make a forum so messed up...that the admins will shut it down.....but I haven't reached that goal yet....I'm always working on it though...maybe....someday?Got close with this one...but most everyone here stuck together and saw the real problem.Oh well....guess I'll just have to make do for now dissing others and dishing out my hubberish...someone here will bite into it...and be as confused as I am.I don't like people...especially those who actually have something worthwhile to contribute....something that makes sense.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/16/2012 @ 12:57 PM *

Home he no need no step is scope is step to the 21st century, fella

Are you talking to me?

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

Yes...he IS...Nice...isn't he....?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/16/2012 @ 12:59 PM *

Yes...he IS...

I hope he is NOT being condescending, because if he is, this is another failed attempt at ebonics. Not everyone who participate in these forums is American nor is fluent in English. For some of us English is our second or third language. Further discussion with some people in some of these forums is usually pointless. My apologies to BlueThunder for the change of topic on his thread.

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

* Last updated by: KoflaOlivieri on 5/16/2012 @ 2:31 PM *

Condescending?Nope...just plain old jealousy.That's all.He wears it like a badge.Sad thing is...he's got real info to share...unfortunately...he has to mock other people to 'try' and be top dog...wherever he goes.And he goes a lot.This aint his only hunting ground.

This place is like eating fish...you eat the meat an throw out the bones.It's actually the ONLY forum that I've seen that has 'put up' with him for all this time.Must be some sort of record or somethin.I'm sure he's either quite proud...or very angry that he hasn't manipulated the admins and members to tell him to shove off.But he keeps trying...I'll give him that.

I don't know anyone here that has a 14 and knows every facet of it's workings....except for him...he knows EVERYTHING about the 14...no matter what the issue is....he's the ONLY one who can sort it out for ya.....just ask him

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 5/16/2012 @ 1:16 PM *

Well now I am really messed up......So please tell me if I got this right!!!!
Hub thinks it could be a crushed gasket, and GRN14 thinks it is okay. does that sum it up?

As ignorant as I am , it sound like you need to just get the valve clearances checked. It's possible that they have NEVER been looked at and you are hearing a bunch of loose shim clearances. I would try that for simple peace of mind.

Mad

Well now I am really messed up......So please tell me if I got this right!!!!
Hub thinks it could be a crushed gasket, and GRN14 thinks it is okay. does that sum it up?

Now, why is grn named GAS'd (go and sit down) is because he is clueless. He hears the engine, concludes its fine. You on the other hand do not except the noise still being there with the nuts being checked.

Did GAS'ask if the bike had a different exhaust? No, he already cleared that as did not even assume to ask about ticks. And that is a constant tick and/or a phantom tick that comes and goes. I like the confusion, create more confusion if you are already confused now. There is only one answer to the tick.

Here comes another variable that is more expensive to do. This one calls for the valve adjustment and a piece of mind that if this is constant, then does the computer look new? That says, does the bike look older than 4 thousand miles? I'm again am going to assume the bike has the original miles.

And with the years following, the first interval is 15K for a valve check, not at 4K you have now on it. And I don't care if you drag race it, beat it on the road, it says; not too many complaints at 4K about a ticking sound. No recall of some valve tick at 4K kind of keep confusing the OP.

So, here is the confusion. Someone says leave it alone, you got nothing wrong. Someone else says, put an ear plug on it, go to NAPA kind of store wars. LOL And it keeps going with the valve set that is not even close to having it looked at.

I'm not confused if I keep reading your take on the tick, THUNDER. I'm in the cheap seats about a tick and found fact that there is still a tick. A fact that there seems to be me trusting your eyes as well as ears with the pipe change. A fact that not one 14 had a valve noise issue so low in mileage.

I am the troll no one listens to is me agreeing with the OP and more less agreeing wit chew got the clue yet?

@Kofla: i think he means by slowing down the movie we might be able to better detect the tick... 21st century stethoscope.
"Homey (bluethunder) doesnt need a stethoscope... slow down the movie and repost"

Im not picking sides or defending anyone Kofla... we are all adults here.

What is funny about GAS'd is to listen to his abstract vs. the OP's?

I'm taking out right bearings.
Is the axle bent?

NOLTT ~ I'm confused here. I'm going to mention collar or spacer. You did have a wheel off at one time, right?
OP ~ You know what... OH hi ho the dairy YO! I'm milking it for all its worth is to see my reality and watch how you conclude to the tick now?

Tick is my tock, I'll pop you wit me cock.
Once for the ol' slip her, once for just for the fuck of it.

You can keep adding a post.
I'm ready to toast.

Every lame game you play with this tick.
I'm going to go after your abstract dick for dick.

Where else could you get a pissing contest and not one gets wet.

WHAT???? Hub sorry I do not follow anything you are talking about in that last 2 posts...Please repost in simple terms... thanks

Condescending?Nope...just plain old jealousy.That's all.He wears it like a badge.Sad thing is...he's got real info to share...unfortunately...he has to mock other people to 'try' and be top dog...wherever he goes.And he goes a lot.This aint his only hunting ground.

I'm jealous of your bike problems? This may be you being the jealous one? You have info to share? I'm shoving your abstract up your proverbial ass. Where are your steps before you ask? You now smother another OP with a noise he hears and you don't? Call your mechanic friend then. Let him hear it. Keep the opinions coming. Sad thing is, the OP's info was enough. Unfortunately, I have to mock everyone that did not walk their history of the product. The trivia they should know.

It's actually the ONLY forum that I've seen that has 'put up' with him for all this time.Must be some sort of record or somethin.I'm sure he's either quite proud...or very angry that he hasn't manipulated the admins and members to tell him to shove off.But he keeps trying...I'll give him that.

I'm a take it or leave it kind of kiss your ass is kiss my ass. You go peeking over that office stall, not doing your work, interrupt mine, oh no, look out! If you didn't look, I could still be turning pages and beating off. Not even in dis cubical can I get a break wit chew GAS'din over the wall-a-mind your own business. You called the case closed is how I read your diagnosis. Thanks, now sit down. I ask you, was it a bent axle or a spacer missing who cares, I called a spacer, you called bent axle... Pee Wee ID!

I don't know anyone here that has a 14 and knows every facet of it's workings....except for him...he knows EVERYTHING about the 14...no matter what the issue is....he's the ONLY one who can sort it out for ya.....just ask him

I don't have a clue how you can discuss the problem when you are not on top of your own bike's servicing? You know my bike looks all wired to nowhere. I'm learning things about that bike. And you? Not much is you. Am I wrong? You out drag racing? Track jockey? Stunts? You know, gotta wrench on it... A LOT! How come yours is not? Because you've never been there to twirling tools like some do here.

I keep on telling you the bike works one way, but will you listen? You gonna blame me for knowing a little bit about the product? I'm going to blame you for not knowing enough.

This stuff is out of your league, GAS'd. It is why I coined you that name. Wear it withonor. Sit back and learn something. The customer is always right. EATIT, fella! The OP is [still] with the problem. He is not satisfied with your answer. Was I on your case in how many threads in such a short time? Did I warn the OP?

I'll have 'no side hag' explain the hubbish interpretations.