squeeling noise when starting up...Thermostat?

[speechdude]

2005 1600 Nomad: Hopefully someone has some insight. I recently returned from a 1000 mile trip. about half way through the trip I went to start the bike up and there is a strange squealing sound that the bike is making on idle. if i give it a little gas it goes away. As the bike heats it improves but can still be heard briefly at a light when it returns to idle. It kind of sounds like water leaking by a valve. The bike ran flawlessly the entire trip. I am kind of thinking it may be the thermostat not opening up all the way and water trying to get by. It kind of sounds like, bare with me, those public restroom sinks where you have to push down to turn the faucet on and as the valve in the faucet is slowly closing you can hear the squeal. Any input or experiences would be helpful.

[ringadingh]

I highly doubt its your thermostat squeeling, they are normally silent. Check for an air leak around the throttle body, or perhaps its a cam chain rubbing, it could also be a piece of trim vibrating. Some noises are very hard to track down.

[Silent Sam]

Next Time you are hearing it..lay your ear on the fuel cap !
My 02 Nomad has a fuel cap vent squeel that is pretty loud some times...

What ever you find..I hope it's a simple fix...and let us know.

[blowndodge]

It's probably Kris and Joel you hear squealing their little heart out! :lmao:

[speechdude]

Strangely, Since being home I have not heard the noise. When I was on my trip the bike was stored outside and it is used to being kept in the garage. It never rained but there was alot of dew in the mornings and I did wash the bike a couple of times because of all the love bugs here in Florida.

[glwilson]

It has been posted that a fuel-pump can make a squeal sound sometimes -- especially if the fuel-tank is low; or has been allowed to get low frequently.

Do not run your fuel too low on a Nomad, as the fuel cools and lubricates the fuel-pump. Low fuel in the tank can cause excessive wear on it.

On long trips, don't run your tank too low when ever possible.

If you have specific questions about this; ask Mac Mac on this forum. He has posted frequently on the subject. :cheers:

[redjay]

If the fuel pump goes bad you can usually hear the noise from the pump all the time, not just at idle.

Do you know for sure that there is a thermostat in the cooling system and that is has not been removed for some reason ?

Have the cam chain exrenders been done on this bike ? Do you know how to check to see if there is any adjustment left ?

[ChiefK]

Was it a sunny day? Did it start just after fueling up? If so, I have to agree with Sam. A venting fuel cap makes a loud squeal...mine almost sounded like an electric beep. It drove me nuts until I fixed it. Instructions are on Gadget's site.

[glwilson]

If the fuel pump goes bad you can usually hear the noise from the pump all the time, not just at idle.

Do you know for sure that there is a thermostat in the cooling system and that is has not been removed for some reason ?

Have the cam chain exrenders been done on this bike ? Do you know how to check to see if there is any adjustment left ?

Then he is most likely hearing the classic Nomad gas cap squeal...:D

[redjay]

The only time I have heard the gas cap squeal is after parking the bike in the garage, never when the bike is running.