Ratteling hydrolic lifters on startup

[bigl54]

Have 1991 gl 1500 aspy with 112k miles. Started up this morning about 60degrees ratteling like crazy for about 3 to 5 minutes before smoothing out, the idle was so ruf with slight choke it was like running on 4 cylinders, i thought it was going to hurt itself. how do I fix this, anybody know? Thank you

[ct1500]

Sounds like it is time for a good tune-up plugs, filters and a basic check of systems, ignition, vacuum leaks, enrichment rods and carbueration. Doubt it was actually valve train noise, was the engine oil light on, have you checked oil level/condition?

[WingAdmin]

I think you're correct on the source of the noise being the hydraulic lifters. They aren't getting pumped up. This can be caused by a number of things:

- low oil level
- oil too viscous
- cold weather
- clogged lifters

The first is obviously easy to check.

The second and third can also be checked relatively easily:

GL1500 Oil Viscosity Chart

If it's quite cold out, and you're running 20W-40 oil, then that's very likely your problem.

Incidentally, the number in the oil is the "weight" of the oil - the higher the number, the thicker the oil. The first number is the "winter" number - the weight of the oil at below 0F. The second number is weight of the oil at an engine operating temperature of 212F.

The last option, clogged lifters is more of a problem. If you get down to that one on the list, I would try a treatment of Seafoam in your crankcase. Change the oil, adding a can of Seafoam in the crankcase before you fill with new oil. This oil will be quite thin, so go easy on the engine. Ride it gently for 100 miles or so, then drain the oil and refill with fresh oil again. You will be stunned at the crud that comes out with the oil. That sludge can easily block lifter ports, and is what Seafoam dissolves.

[bigl54]

Thank you for your response.the rest of the day she starts smooth. 4 oil changes ago, 20 k.I started hearing a ticking and started using 3 oz of mystery oil with each oil change and the ticking would quiet. have used sea foam twice. Using 5-40 t-6 rotella. this morning was only the3rd time it ran ruff to start. Have put 65k in 3yrs with 2 major tune ups done and 5k oil changes. Shouldn't be that dirty. whats it cost clean and or repair those lifters? Thank you.

[ct1500]

Certain engines do not play well with certain oils i.e. valve noise, trans shifting etc. change it out to a conventional oil with NO extra additives and put a few miles on it and take it from there. A tick is not going to cause your engine to run terrible. Two or more different things likely going on. And just for kicks remove radiator cap with engine cold and ensure coolant is up to the top.

or

Start pulling the motor apart but with 112k miles unless previously damaged there should be plenty more miles left.

[Dusty Boots]

I ran that Rotella T-6 synthetic crap in my bike once ... well actually twice ... 1st and last time. NEVER again!!!
Although when I 1st installed it, the engine ran quieter and shifted smoother than the Honda GN 10W-40 oil that I ran in it before ... for roughly 1,500 mi and then the engine became very noisy and the shifting very clunky/notchy and couldn't get that oil out of there quick enough!!!

I then switched over to a non synthetic diesel oil (Chevron Delo 400 LE 15W-40) over 142,xxx+ mi/227,xxx+ km ago and the bike loves it. Engine runs quieter, shifts smoother and is just a superior oil IMHO.

[redial]

I can give you an example of "All oils aint oils". I have an old RV with a diesel engine, and at that time, the service levels said that it should use 1% oil (ie 1 litre of oil, for every 100 litres of fuel). I thought that this was excessive. I was on a long trip, and using lots of oil. I then changed the brand of oil, and it went from about 1.5% to less than a litre per 1000 litres. I have stuck with that oil since, and never had a problem, even though I changed the engine to a different brand and model.

The reason I changed the engine was because the top speed was 73Km/h (less than 50MPH), flat chat, on a flat road, with no winds to head into. I now cruise happily at 100Km/h, pulling a trailer with 2.5tonnes, and the 10 tonne RV is loping along at 2 000 RPM. Oils do make a difference.

[bigl54]

I am going to try Delo. but what weight and synthetic or non with the problems I'm already having.need it thin enough for the ticking, yet somthing that might help the ruff start ups. Have a can of seafoam in it now. In a100 mi I'll change it.

[Dusty Boots]

You can get it at Wally World. It is 15W-40 and is not synthetic!

I believe it is the T-6 that is the cause of your noisy engine, as mine was rattling pretty good before I dropped that stuff. It smelt 'funny' when I dropped it too!

As for the stumbling on start up. - Apply the enrichment (Choke) lever fully (even in the dead of summer on 1st start up of the day. The 1500s are cold blooded beasts) and start bike. Once the revs start to pick up, adjust lever to keep the revs down around the 2,000 RPM mark.
On my bike, if I try to cut the lever back and drop the revs to 1,300 - 1,600 RPM while warming up, it runs rough/surges, so keep the revs up around the 2,000 RPM level.



Dusty

[ct1500]

An engine that has been getting regular oil changes does NOT need additives, get them out.

You likely have more than one problem, first and foremost is this noisy engine. Hopefully you are not confusing a cold start problem running on less than 6 cylinders as an internal engine problem as they can shake rattle and roll giving the impression engine is going bad. Go with the oil Dusty recommended, we start simple first, a particular engine oil will not cause it to run rough. Rough running will be looked at later.

Earlier in the thread you stated 2 major tune-ups what exactly did that entail? Was the machine checked for vacuum leaks, were carbs and choke checked, were ignition wires checked, was the vacuum fuel valve checked? And is the machine full of proper/fresh coolant at the radiator cap?

I don't know why I type these questions as I usually don't get a reply

[bigl54]

Both services were 39 point major service at JBJ 400 $ plus parts.

[bigl54]

They even overhauled the carburetors last year.

[afekete62]

So I noticed my engine producing an annoying knock or tick from the left side. Sometimes I can hear it and other times I can’t. Yesterday was particularly loud and as the rpms increased the the ticking increases. Can’t really say it’s knock and definitely not a piston pinging knock but none the less you know something is not right. Should be buttery smooth and quiet.

So today I went out and got a can of seafoam and added 4 oz. one ounce per quart of oil. Ran the bike with a high idle for a few minutes which I hate to do. Took video of the ticking and at one point it goes away. Shut the bike off and started it up again, same thing. Ticking noise increased with rpm increase.

I will ride the bike tomorrow for about 50 miles then drain the oil. I’ll then add the seafoam before oil fill up and run for another 100 miles. Drain and fill with full synthetic oil. Hopefully this will be a cure. We’ll see and i’ll post results.

Took a video but can’t attach?

Thanks,
Andrew

[Erdeniz Umman]

So I noticed my engine producing an annoying knock or tick from the left side. Sometimes I can hear it and other times I can’t. Yesterday was particularly loud and as the rpms increased the the ticking increases. Can’t really say it’s knock and definitely not a piston pinging knock but none the less you know something is not right. Should be buttery smooth and quiet.

So today I went out and got a can of seafoam and added 4 oz. one ounce per quart of oil. Ran the bike with a high idle for a few minutes which I hate to do. Took video of the ticking and at one point it goes away. Shut the bike off and started it up again, same thing. Ticking noise increased with rpm increase.

I will ride the bike tomorrow for about 50 miles then drain the oil. I’ll then add the seafoam before oil fill up and run for another 100 miles. Drain and fill with full synthetic oil. Hopefully this will be a cure. We’ll see and i’ll post results.

Took a video but can’t attach?

Thanks,
Andrew

Have you done something on the bike recently, like changing the timing belts?

[afekete62]

No, I haven’t. I want to though! Have done anything mechanical to the bike yet besides light upgrades and brake pads.

So interesting enough yesterday in the garage as I was just cycling in the seafoam the tick went from pretty loud to nothing, then came back quieter. I will run the bike today and try to listen more.

Does anyone know a way to upload a video?

Thanks,
Andrew

[DenverWinger]

Can't upload a video here, you have to upload it to YouTube and then post a link here.

[afekete62]

three videos..

first one right after start up with seafoam added
second after shutting off then restarting after initial seafoam run
third after shutting off then restarting again

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thoughts?

[Erdeniz Umman]

It may be the exhaust leak from the exhaust manifold. It is known as making this kind of noise.

Remove the lower cover and check any leaks, loose studs and nuts, bad copper gasket.

[afekete62]

Will do...will check both sides

Thanks for the advice!

[WingAdmin]

If you have access to a mechanic's stethoscope, put it right on the valve covers and see if you can localize the noise as originating from there.

If you don't have one, you can make a poor man's stethoscope out of a piece of dowel pushed up against your skull near your ear as you push it onto wherever you want to listen to.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52500-Mech ... ref=sr_1_4

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SQYSM?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[bellboy40]

If you are somewhat of a cheapskate, like me, you can find one at Harbor Freight. They are really cheap but will do for what you want it for.
https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q= ... tethoscope

[vcdc]

Regarding this old post, I had the same type of problem with my 95. Tried all the Seafoam, different oils, etc. Went to change the spark plugs to see if that would help and discovered the tube on the left manifold had deteriorated to the point it was falling off. I repaired that from my box of tubes and voila, it runs like brand new!!