Loud "clicking" noise when opening up?

[moenko]

Seems the little mysteries on my Nad never end.

During the last few rides (especially in warmer weather), if I accelerate and reach higher RPMs, a very loud metallic "clicking" noise is coming from the engine, sounds to me like the valves or piston rings. I do not think it's pinging but then, I'm not really sure what "pinging" sounds like I have to admit. I use 89-90 octane of late, usually used regular. This only occurs when accelerating swiftly and going into the higher RPMs and is most pronouced at higher outside temps.

Has anyone else had a similiar experience and is this something I should be worrying about?

Thanks folks ~~ Moe

[Top Cat]

Well, if it was me I would put the highest grade gas I could find in it and see if it still does it. If it is pinging that may stop it. If it doesn't stop I would say it is not pinging.

[moenko]

TC - it sounds to the novice like valves clattering at high RPM - is that a possibility? This does not happen during normal cruise or slight acceleration.... ????

[cactusjack]

Sounds like pinging to me, Carsten. Mine did it real bad, especially when it was "warm" outside. Like TC suggested, buy a tank of the highest-octane juice you can get and see if it reduces it or if it goes away completely.

[moenko]

I will try that Scott - thank you both for your suggestion! Will report back after my weekend ride to Vermont.

[ringadingh]

If its not the pinging causing the noise, check to see if your cam chains are rubbing on the spark plug tubes. You may be due for cam chain extenders.

[redjay]

On my 05 it would ping no matter what grade of fuel I used. TFI cured that. This noise that you hear, is it occuring when you open the throttle hard under load, for example in too high a gear ? That could be pinging you hear. What year is the bike, carbed or FI ? How many miles on it ?

[moenko]

redjay, to answer your questions and add some more info:

It's a 2005 1600-D1 with 12,500 miles. I have a TFI but because of poor top-end speed, I turned ALL pods to "off" based on Blowndodge's suggestion. I think with the TFI (pod 1) on, the clattering was more muted but always there. It happenes whenever I reach higher RPMs, say, 4,500+ no matter the gear.

It was especially loud yesterday at 88°F ambient temp and my girlfriend on the pillon when I strongly accelerated - at one point it starts, before that point - quiet as can be. Does that collaborate your suspicion?

[dogdoc]

sounds like pinging to me too, moenko. My '05 did the same thing on hard acceleration even with 93 octane + octane booster in it too. added the tfi and it stopped it all together.

[moenko]

Doc, sounds like I will tune in a bit fuel on Pod 1 again on the TFI and see if that cures it (along with high-octane fuel) - thanks :)

[redjay]

Moenko, When you say poor top end speed do you mean actual top speed or a lack of pulling power at speed? Mine pulls like a train now with the TFI and Cadmann installed. I have not tried it at high speed but through the gears up to 120 kmph it pulls way better now. No problems passing thats for sure. Do you have a modified intake (or Cadmann mod). Has this noise just started since your TFI install ?

[moenko]

RJ, the issue was I was barely able to reach 100 mph on the speedo. Pulling very strong up to about 80, then drop-off. Blowndodge suggested that the bike gets too much fuel at high RPM with the TFI and to turn ALL pods off to see if it makes a difference. Well it did, it will now go past 100, but now the loud clanking/pinging noise is very pronounced at high RPMs. Except for V&H Baggers and TFI and a slighly larger rear tire (in diameter, I ride a 160-80), the bike is stock at the moment.

I tuned in a little bit of fuel on the TFI again and will have a 200-mile ride on Saturday, we'll see how it might affect the condition.


Moenko, When you say poor top end speed do you mean actual top speed or a lack of pulling power at speed? Mine pulls like a train now with the TFI and Cadmann installed. I have not tried it at high speed but through the gears up to 120 kmph it pulls way better now. No problems passing thats for sure. Do you have a modified intake (or Cadmann mod). Has this noise just started since your TFI install ?

[redjay]

Have you tried riding the bike with the right side dog bowl off just for a few miles ? With the TFI dialed in it should pull like a train. Try 3-6-1-9 as a starting point and take her for a short spin. If the noise is still there I doubt if its pinging. If the noise is reduced you know you are on the right track.
You will hear the noise from the solenoids however. If that noise is confusing the issue disconnect the green wire from them, tape them up and secure them to the remaining wire. Preferably warm the bike up first before you do that and then take it for a ride.

[moenko]

Will do, buddy. I also have that Spectre 9" air filter I can mount on the right side and take the solenoids out altogether... will have to experiment a little, time allowing ;) Thanks again for the tips!!!

[blowndodge]

Moenko:

Have you attempted to dial in your TFI with the suggested method? Setting pot 1 by turning up your rpms with the knob and then cranking the 1st pot clockwise to get the highest "high idle"???? then doubling that setting for the #2 pot?. Leaving the other two pots off? Give that a shot...It will be close to redjay's and my setting of 3-6-1-9

[moenko]

Good suggestion, I think I had that setting for a short time and didn't notice the noice nearly as loud as I do now... again, will play with it for bit and report back - thanks all!

[claybuster]

I'd say it is pinging also. My 07 Nomad pinged bad even using 93 Octane. I installed the TFI last weekend and I only notice a slight ping for a second or 2 when going to full throttle from a 50-60 mph roll then the ping stops as I'm accelerating. I'm currently set at 3.5-6-1-9. Today I'm going to lower pot 1 to 3, see how it idles and maybe go even lower, but I will set pot 1 to the max idle rpm. I do have a tach installed and I can easily see the difference in rpm but you can hear it also without a tach. Yesterday I spoke to two Dobeck technicans and both said the pinging as I described it to them is coming from the pot 2 setting. They said to increase pot 2 just to where the ping is gone even if I need to set it higher then 6. My bike is totally stock except for debaffled stock mufflers.
Glenn

[moenko]

Very interesting, Glenn - thank you for that post !!!


I'd say it is pinging also. My 07 Nomad pinged bad even using 93 Octane. I installed the TFI last weekend and I only notice a slight ping for a second or 2 when going to full throttle from a 50-60 mph roll then the ping stops as I'm accelerating. I'm currently set at 3.5-6-1-9. Today I'm going to lower pot 1 to 3, see how it idles and maybe go even lower, but I will set pot 1 to the max idle rpm. I do have a tach installed and I can easily see the difference in rpm but you can hear it also without a tach. Yesterday I spoke to two Dobeck technicans and both said the pinging as I described it to them is coming from the pot 2 setting. They said to increase pot 2 just to where the ping is gone even if I need to set it higher then 6. My bike is totally stock except for debaffled stock mufflers.
Glenn

[nomadwest]

Mine did the same thing when really rollin on the throttle. It sounds like a metalic clattering but it actually is pinging. Thats with Vance and Hines, PClll mapped for stock or k&N filter, and running the stock air filter. I recently added the K&N filter which stopped it completely. I was surprised that the K&N was as much a noticeable difference in throttle response and power over the stock one as rumors were out there that it does not make much difference. It did with mine.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Img_1638small.jpg

[ridemslow]

So far the only mod I've done alonge these lines is the K&N filter, and I notices that the fuel seleniods seem to have gotten a bit louder. Maybe it's just me. I think the click of those are kinda natural to the Nomad anyway tho.




Mine did the same thing when really rollin on the throttle. It sounds like a metalic clattering but it actually is pinging. Thats with Vance and Hines, PClll mapped for stock or k&N filter, and running the stock air filter. I recently added the K&N filter which stopped it completely. I was surprised that the K&N was as much a noticeable difference in throttle response and power over the stock one as rumors were out there that it does not make much difference. It did with mine.
http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/tt36/dudewest/Img_1638small.jpg