valve shim question

[Vick Mackey]

I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard it sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past 4,000-5,000 miles. This sound only happens during hard acceleration. Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its life. Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. So my questions are: 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with 18,000-23,000 miles? 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused other damage? I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a leakdown or compression test! Please advise if you can. Thank you. Vick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Hedrek]

I have something similar going on. I hear a loud, intermittent crashing or rattling sound. I can rev the engine in neutral and it sounds fine, but get in gear and I'll get this metallic sound (not just under hard acceleration for me). I first thought it was just valve train or combustion noise, but I am going to look inside and see if there's anything flying around. I have about 45,000 on my 2007. I haven't done the doo and am afraid I have a broken part and a loose chain inside. I was headed south weekend before last, about 2 hours from home, when it became obvious (I had heard it before but was not running due to a brake part I was waiting for, so I had forgotten the noise). I almost turned around and came home, but just put in some earplugs and played like it wasn't there. Trip was fine. I'll be riding the Concours until I look inside and see what's going on. Might as well order the Doo parts and do that while it's opened up. I'll post and let everyone know what I find. Robert Hedrick Albuquerque, NM

--- On Tue, 6/17/08, Vick Mackey wrote: From: Vick Mackey Subject: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:19 PM I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard it sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past 4,000-5,000 miles. This sound only happens during hard acceleration. Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its life. Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. So my questions are: 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with 18,000-23,000 miles? 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused other damage? I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a leakdown or compression test! Please advise if you can. Thank you. Vick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[matteeanne@yahoo.com]

Had the same problem on my A-18. Removed tank and found piece of metal to hold wires in place came off and fell in sparkplug well Sean Brown Looking for the perfect gift for the wife/Mom/or "the person who has everything?" www.brownsbirdestates.com To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com; Vick Mackey Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 3:02:48 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help I have something similar going on. I hear a loud, intermittent crashing or rattling sound. I can rev the engine in neutral and it sounds fine, but get in gear and I'll get this metallic sound (not just under hard acceleration for me). I first thought it was just valve train or combustion noise, but I am going to look inside and see if there's anything flying around. I have about 45,000 on my 2007. I haven't done the doo and am afraid I have a broken part and a loose chain inside. I was headed south weekend before last, about 2 hours from home, when it became obvious (I had heard it before but was not running due to a brake part I was waiting for, so I had forgotten the noise). I almost turned around and came home, but just put in some earplugs and played like it wasn't there. Trip was fine. I'll be riding the Concours until I look inside and see what's going on. Might as well order the Doo parts and do that while it's opened up. I'll post and let everyone know what I find. Robert Hedrick Albuquerque, NM

--- On Tue, 6/17/08, Vick Mackey wrote: From: Vick Mackey Subject: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:19 PM I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard it sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past 4,000-5,000 miles. This sound only happens during hard acceleration. Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its life. Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. So my questions are: 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with 18,000-23,000 miles? 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused other damage? I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a leakdown or compression test! Please advise if you can. Thank you. Vick [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Hedrek wrote: SNIP> > I have about 45,000 on my 2007. SNIP > Robert Hedrick > Albuquerque, NM > Robert, That is some miles in two years. Where have you been--or have I missed the trip reports? revmaaatin.

[Bogdan Swider]

During the Moab rally, at the campground, a klr rode in and making that same metallic noise the posts below complain about. ( This was years ago; anybody remember Mariola s friend Adam ? ) Anyway..some of us advised a simple balancer chain adjustment; we performed the procedure and the noise was gone. Obviously this will only work if the doo and spring are sound but hey...they might be. Do that first. Bogdan

On 6/19/08 4:02 PM, "Hedrek" wrote: > > > > I have something similar going on. I hear a loud, intermittent crashing or > rattling sound. I can rev the engine in neutral and it sounds fine, but get > in gear and I'll get this metallic sound (not just under hard acceleration for > me). I first thought it was just valve train or combustion noise, but I am > going to look inside and see if there's anything flying around. I have about > 45,000 on my 2007. I haven't done the doo and am afraid I have a broken part > and a loose chain inside. I was headed south weekend before last, about 2 > hours from home, when it became obvious (I had heard it before but was not > running due to a brake part I was waiting for, so I had forgotten the noise). > I almost turned around and came home, but just put in some earplugs and played > like it wasn't there. Trip was fine. > > I'll be riding the Concours until I look inside and see what's going on. > Might as well order the Doo parts and do that while it's opened up. I'll post > and let everyone know what I find. > > Robert Hedrick > Albuquerque, NM > > --- On Tue, 6/17/08, Vick Mackey > wrote: > > From: Vick Mackey > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:19 PM > > I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard it > sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but > higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. > The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past > 4,000-5,000 miles. > This sound only happens during hard acceleration. > Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its > life. > Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the > carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the > lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when > pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my > engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. > This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but > it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. > So my questions are: > > 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with > 18,000-23,000 miles? > 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? > 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused > other damage? > > I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a > leakdown or compression test! > > Please advise if you can. Thank you. > > Vick > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Vick Mackey]

This is a different noise. I am talking about a solid engine noise that only happens under hard acceleration. Kind of like a chopping noise, it doesn't sound good. I have an upgraded doo. It is not that something is loose, it is similar to the noise an engine makes when lugging, but higher pitched. Any other suggestions????

On 6/19/08, Hedrek wrote: > > I have something similar going on. I hear a loud, intermittent > crashing or rattling sound. I can rev the engine in neutral and it sounds > fine, but get in gear and I'll get this metallic sound (not just under hard > acceleration for me). I first thought it was just valve train or combustion > noise, but I am going to look inside and see if there's anything flying > around. I have about 45,000 on my 2007. I haven't done the doo and am > afraid I have a broken part and a loose chain inside. I was headed south > weekend before last, about 2 hours from home, when it became obvious (I had > heard it before but was not running due to a brake part I was waiting for, > so I had forgotten the noise). I almost turned around and came home, but > just put in some earplugs and played like it wasn't there. Trip was fine. > > > > > I'll be riding the Concours until I look inside and see what's going on. > Might as well order the Doo parts and do that while it's opened up. I'll > post and let everyone know what I find. > > Robert Hedrick > Albuquerque, NM > > --- On *Tue, 6/17/08, Vick Mackey * wrote: > > From: Vick Mackey > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com > Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:19 PM > > I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard > it > sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but > higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. > The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past > 4,000-5,000 miles. > This sound only happens during hard acceleration. > Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its > life. > Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the > carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the > lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when > pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my > engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. > This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but > it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. > So my questions are: > > 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with > 18,000-23,000 miles? > 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? > 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused > other damage? > > I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a > leakdown or compression test! > > Please advise if you can. Thank you. > > Vick > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Hedrek]

I did do a quick balancer chain adjust in Ruidoso, but it didn't help. I'm stumped by the fact that it only happens under load, not when in neutral. I hope to peek inside tomorrow or Sunday. Robert Hedrick Albuquerque, NM

--- On Fri, 6/20/08, Bogdan Swider wrote: From: Bogdan Swider Subject: Re: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help To: hedrek@..., DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Vick Mackey" Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, 8:02 AM During the Moab rally, at the campground, a klr rode in and making that same metallic noise the posts below complain about. ( This was years ago; anybody remember Mariola s friend Adam ? ) Anyway..some of us advised a simple balancer chain adjustment; we performed the procedure and the noise was gone. Obviously this will only work if the doo and spring are sound but hey...they might be. Do that first. Bogdan On 6/19/08 4:02 PM, "Hedrek" wrote: > > > > I have something similar going on. I hear a loud, intermittent crashing or > rattling sound. I can rev the engine in neutral and it sounds fine, but get > in gear and I'll get this metallic sound (not just under hard acceleration for > me). I first thought it was just valve train or combustion noise, but I am > going to look inside and see if there's anything flying around. I have about > 45,000 on my 2007. I haven't done the doo and am afraid I have a broken part > and a loose chain inside. I was headed south weekend before last, about 2 > hours from home, when it became obvious (I had heard it before but was not > running due to a brake part I was waiting for, so I had forgotten the noise). > I almost turned around and came home, but just put in some earplugs and played > like it wasn't there. Trip was fine. > > I'll be riding the Concours until I look inside and see what's going on. > Might as well order the Doo parts and do that while it's opened up. I'll post > and let everyone know what I find. > > Robert Hedrick > Albuquerque, NM > > --- On Tue, 6/17/08, Vick Mackey > wrote: > > From: Vick Mackey > > Subject: [DSN_KLR650] strange noise coming from engine, need help > To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com > Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 11:19 PM > > I have a possible problem with my 2007 KLR 650. When I accelerate hard it > sounds like the engine is running harsh. Almost like it is lugging, but > higher pitched, I guess is the best way to describe this problem. > The bike has 23,000 miles on it, and has been doing this for the past > 4,000-5,000 miles. > This sound only happens during hard acceleration. > Is this normal? I know the bike did not make this sound earlier in its > life. > Back around 18,000 miles I had a carburetor problem and had to drain the > carb. When I went to start the bike, it took awhile to start because of the > lack of fuel. I had a passerby helping me, and he opened the throttle when > pushing the start button and starting the bike and accidentally revved my > engine up to 10,000 rpms while in neutral. > This is around the time that I noticed this noise on hard acceleration, but > it might have been happening earlier and I just hadn't noticed before. > So my questions are: > > 1. Is this engine sound normal on hard acceleration for a bike with > 18,000-23,000 miles? > 2. Could this be the sign of a bent valve? > 3. How likely is it that the 10,000 rpm incident bent my valves, or caused > other damage? > > I am traveling in Mexico and don't have access to mechanics. I CANNOT get a > leakdown or compression test! > > Please advise if you can. Thank you. > > Vick > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Hedrek]

Ooops, make that more like 14,000 miles. The Concours has 49,000, but it's a 2000. Robert Hedrick Albuquerque, NM

--- On Fri, 6/20/08, revmaaatin wrote: From: revmaaatin Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Re: strange noise coming from engine, need help To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, June 20, 2008, 7:49 AM --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogro ups.com, Hedrek wrote: SNIP> > I have about 45,000 on my 2007. SNIP > Robert Hedrick > Albuquerque, NM > Robert, That is some miles in two years. Where have you been--or have I missed the trip reports? revmaaatin. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[revmaaatin]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Vick Mackey" wrote:

> > This is a different noise. I am talking about a solid engine noise

that

> only happens under hard acceleration. Kind of like a chopping

noise, it

> doesn't sound good. > I have an upgraded doo. > It is not that something is loose, it is similar to the noise an

engine

> makes when lugging, but higher pitched. > Any other suggestions???? > > >

Vick, Is this noise a single, repeating KNOCK? I would guess that you are having preignition. and most likely associated with lugging the bike. again--I am guessing. you describe it as 'hard-acceleration' which I would assume as the same as flogging the dog, etal. Next time you have this 'noise', note the conditions, and the 'rpm's of the bike. Go back to the same basic location and try to use a higher rpm in the entry-exit of the maneuver. I know that if I am in the prairie trail mode or on a difficult fire trail--and try to accelerate with low rpms in a gear to high, I immediately will get a knock. Noises like you are experiencing is the engine saying, "Please don't do that." and if you don't comply with that simple request, you will not like what happens next. :~( revmaaatin. who is in heated agreement with the engine.

[CA Stu]

Check around your front sprocket. A noise that only happens when you give it the beans suggests chain or sprockets to me. Thanks CA Stu A13