Tapping in Engine

eagle · 08-21-2010, 06:19 PM

I have a 2001 1500 Nomad FI with approximately 50,000 miles on it. A non-Nomad owner was listening to my engine while idling and mentioned that he thought that the Valves needed shimming because of the tapping sound coming from the engine.

I know that the solenoids make a clickety clack sound but this sounds appears to be coming from both left and right sides of the engine.

Is this a common maintenance issue for a Nomad?

Could it be the Cam Chain Tensioners? I am not comfortable pulling the caps off to see if they are fully extended at this time.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

**Cajunrider** · 08-21-2010, 06:42 PM

If the tensioner extenders have never been installed, that is more than likely where the noise is coming from. I'd suggest you get a set and change them or have someone do it for you. That is a dealer item/installation in Canada. In the USA, we have to order a set from Chuckster and install them ourselves. Dealers in the US don't know what extenders are.

**MAS Tequila** · 08-21-2010, 06:50 PM

Yes, 50000 miles, it is more than likely the tensioners.

There is no shimmimg of the valves on the Nomad, they are hydraulic.

Guys who ride other brands have no idea what a Nomad should sound like.

MT

cactusjack · 08-21-2010, 06:50 PM

The only way to rule out the cam chain tensioners is to visually inspect them. That means removing the caps and taking a peek.

**ringadingh** · 08-21-2010, 10:21 PM

At that mileage your probably due for them, you can also pull out the spark plug tubes and see if the chain is rubbing on them. If the chain wears through the tube you will have oil squirting out and running down the motor.

macmac · 08-22-2010, 09:11 AM

Might invest in this tool to tell whats makin' noises.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=70131_0_0_

If by chance you run dino oil at 20w-50 that will set up a valve clatter. Too much viscosity for the hydralic lifters to deal with and they will starve for oil cold.

I agree get extenders and get armed with the info, and get them done. Maybe you and Ring can meet up to get them done. I have no idea how far apart you 2 guys are from one another, but Ring can do em. He will swear at me if you have the stock intake set up still

eagle · 08-22-2010, 12:49 PM

When you take the caps off of the tensioners, do springs and other things fall out? Or just by taking off the cap you can see how much the tensioners have travelled?

eagle · 08-22-2010, 12:51 PM

I run Semi-Synthetic 10-40. It seems to work good at this point. That could change if it could make the engine even quieter.

I have noticed the engine being much quieter with the TFI being recently installed.

sas · 08-23-2010, 11:25 AM

Not a bad price at all. Her's what it says about my local Auto Zone store:

Price:$9.99

AVAILABILITY:STORE PICK UP AVAILABLENormally stocked at your local store.
SHIP TO HOME AVAILABLE: Ships within 2 business days.

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-24-2010, 01:39 AM

A stethoscope can be very useful in tracking down problems in the engine.

08-21-2010, 06:19 PM	#1
eagle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Posts: 291	Tapping in Engine I have a 2001 1500 Nomad FI with approximately 50,000 miles on it. A non-Nomad owner was listening to my engine while idling and mentioned that he thought that the Valves needed shimming because of the tapping sound coming from the engine. I know that the solenoids make a clickety clack sound but this sounds appears to be coming from both left and right sides of the engine. Is this a common maintenance issue for a Nomad? Could it be the Cam Chain Tensioners? I am not comfortable pulling the caps off to see if they are fully extended at this time. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks __________________ 2001 Nomad 1500 FI - Sold 😟 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Classic 2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-21-2010, 06:42 PM	#2
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Tapping in Engine If the tensioner extenders have never been installed, that is more than likely where the noise is coming from. I'd suggest you get a set and change them or have someone do it for you. That is a dealer item/installation in Canada. In the USA, we have to order a set from Chuckster and install them ourselves. Dealers in the US don't know what extenders are. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
	0

08-21-2010, 06:50 PM	#3
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Tapping in Engine Yes, 50000 miles, it is more than likely the tensioners. There is no shimmimg of the valves on the Nomad, they are hydraulic. Guys who ride other brands have no idea what a Nomad should sound like. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
	0

08-21-2010, 06:50 PM	#4
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Tapping in Engine The only way to rule out the cam chain tensioners is to visually inspect them. That means removing the caps and taking a peek. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
	0

08-21-2010, 10:21 PM	#5
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Tapping in Engine At that mileage your probably due for them, you can also pull out the spark plug tubes and see if the chain is rubbing on them. If the chain wears through the tube you will have oil squirting out and running down the motor. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-22-2010, 09:11 AM	#6
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Tapping in Engine Might invest in this tool to tell whats makin' noises. http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=70131_0_0_ If by chance you run dino oil at 20w-50 that will set up a valve clatter. Too much viscosity for the hydralic lifters to deal with and they will starve for oil cold. I agree get extenders and get armed with the info, and get them done. Maybe you and Ring can meet up to get them done. I have no idea how far apart you 2 guys are from one another, but Ring can do em. He will swear at me if you have the stock intake set up still __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
	0

08-22-2010, 12:49 PM	#7
eagle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Posts: 291	Tapping in Engine When you take the caps off of the tensioners, do springs and other things fall out? Or just by taking off the cap you can see how much the tensioners have travelled? __________________ 2001 Nomad 1500 FI - Sold 😟 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Classic 2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
	0

08-22-2010, 12:51 PM	#8
eagle Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada Posts: 291	Tapping in Engine I run Semi-Synthetic 10-40. It seems to work good at this point. That could change if it could make the engine even quieter. I have noticed the engine being much quieter with the TFI being recently installed. __________________ 2001 Nomad 1500 FI - Sold 😟 2005 Harley Davidson Road King Classic 2003 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
	0

08-23-2010, 11:25 AM	#9
sas Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: McComb, MS Posts: 309	Tapping in Engine Not a bad price at all. Her's what it says about my local Auto Zone store: Price:$9.99 AVAILABILITY:STORE PICK UP AVAILABLENormally stocked at your local store. SHIP TO HOME AVAILABLE: Ships within 2 business days. __________________ "Growing old takes time. Use it wisley."
	0

08-24-2010, 01:39 AM	#10
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Tapping in Engine A stethoscope can be very useful in tracking down problems in the engine. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
	0

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