Author Topic: cylinder not firing and weird ticking/clicking sound (Read 5934 times)

Brady · « **on:** January 29, 2013, 11:05:09 AM »

Anyone have an idea what this sound is??? just got this bike about a month ago and was finally able to get it started up this weekend after getting a replacement carb from harisuluv.

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">cb550f first startup[/url] from Brady Fontenot on Vimeo.

#3 cylinder is not firing at this point. has a small oil leak around exhaust header and lower compression than the other 3 cylinders.

no one around here seems to have ngk's that are on my bike so I'm still using the old plugs b/c all the alternatives I found don't have the 18mm nut so I can't use the honda spark plug socket i have and i didn't really feel like buying another one.

picked up a compression tester. results seem inconsistent though.....ran it yesterday on bike while cold and result was 120/150/90/100 i think?? i can't remember....put a lil oil in each after and they all jumped up about 20psi...then after some more reading here realized i probably should have measured and put exact amount in each one, also think i put too much. and seems to be ppl are saying i shouldn't even really be paying much attention to the compression result w/ these bikes. anyways, today i started the bike again, ran it a few minutes, did another compression test. results today are 110/100/90/110. so more even, but lower on some higher on others??? also, today, the bike is burning a bit of oil. not sure what changed.

other things, while i was kicking during compression test, heard a clicking noise that sounded similar to what's going on in the video though only a few times. wasn't doing it the whole time. is that noise related to a valve maybe?

am i gonna have to open the top end up? anyway to do it without removing the engine fully if I do?

things i've done so far
cleaned carbs and set float level.
made tappet adjustments
adjusted points gap.
adjust cam chain( though i'm not sure it actually worked? should i hear it tightening up...sorta expected some type of noise/signal or something after loosening the nut.)
compression check

still to do:
ignition timing
change oil filter, and clean screen
get new spark plugs

Brady · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:18:17 PM »

update. just started the bike again. #3 is firing now but it's not as hot as the others....sounds like noise may be coming from #3 though and still burning oil...wondering it's tied to #3 firing now... i have 4 into 1 so can't check which pipe is smoking w/ out taking off muffler.

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:24:21 PM »

re-check your valve adjustment and timing.

Test your caps.
cut back your wires to good copper
new plugs ( D7EA's ...IIRC )

Brady · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:26:28 PM »

what do you mean caps??

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:27:04 PM »

spark plug caps. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67096.0

phil71 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2013, 12:27:44 PM »

There aren't a lot of things that could make that sound, and the things that can are not going to be simple to repair.
I'd be looking at the cam chain tensioners. I'd pull all the tappet covers and check for one that's unbelievably loose, or even loose and rolling around in there.
Those are the 'lucky' things that can be wrong.
It sounds too loud for you to be lucky. Also, what's troubling me is that you seem to be running it with the LH cam cover removed. That area should be shooting oil out with that part off, and it isn't. Which means there's either no oil (bad), or no oil pressure (also bad)

Brady · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:19:20 PM »

clipper wires. double checked valve clearances. started again.. #3 seems to be running hotter every time now. still not as hot as the others.

noise is still there....PO was saying he thought it might be the oil pump. there is oil on the tappets. i also jut ran it w/ the valve covers off. and lots of oil began coming out of #1 intake & exhaust...not so much the rest..guessing b/c it leaning over. they all are oily though.

difficult repair I can handle, expensive is what i'm hoping it isn't.

LH cam cover isn't removed. have not taken it off since i got the bike. only thing i've run it with being off is valve cover and the points cover.

additionally, that video was shot on saturday...today i checked oil and it was really low so i filled it....still making noise though.

it was making the noise when i bought it. PO suggested it was maybe the oil pump but others said not likely when i asked on another forum....oil light works as far as i know. it comes on when i turn the bike on and goes off once the engine is running.

Brady · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:24:53 PM »

@phil71.....you are right....the bike is actually missing both.....didn't even realize...there is oil that seeps out of the screw holes....just not in bunches.

phil71 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:28:28 PM »

it should do more than seep with those parts missing. I have a feeling oil starvation may have done some damage there, and a cold #3 is the last thing I'd be concerned with right now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/76-Honda-CB550-CB-550-550-Four-Engine-Motor-Parts-ONLY-/290843183952?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACB&hash=item43b79acb50&vxp=mtr

pretty good deal.

Brady · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2013, 01:33:15 PM »

Quote

http://www.ebay.com/itm/76-Honda-CB550-CB-550-550-Four-Engine-Motor-Parts-ONLY-/290843183952?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACB&hash=item43b79acb50&vxp=mtr

pretty good deal.

well, except for the shipping....someone just told me about a place here that has a ton of old honda stuff/knowledge so I will probably go look around there.

so do you think we're talking more than just replacing the oil pump if it's an oil issue? i'm guessing other stuff would have suffered a well.

Rigid · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:02:43 PM »

Don't sweat it too much. A complete engine swap is inexpensive and easy. Too many people spending too much time and money on blown engines. There are reasons for repairing engines but cost is seldom one of them.

phil71 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2013, 02:32:01 PM »

Well... lets say, for the sake of argument, that the oil pump is to blame. How long has it been a problem? before too long, poor oil circulation will destroy lots of things, not just from heat, but friction. If the oil pump itself is making noise (which I've never heard happen. Not saying it's not possible, just rare), it would be coming right from the area in the bottom center of this photo.

Brady · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:00:41 PM »

Not sure how long its been a problem....bike sat for at least a year before I bought it and it was making the sound when I got it. Guy I bought it from only had it a couple weeks. He got in a package deal from someone else.

Noise seems to be coming from side of bike w #4 cylinder..but hard to tell.

I'm not opposed to buying another engine but I'd at least like to look inside this one first just to see if I can't see what's wrong.

phil71 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:08:56 PM »

absolutely. You've got nothing to lose. You can use a long screwdriver as a stethescope of sorts.. using the small end as a probe, and put your ear to the handle. Touch the valve cover in a few spots, see if it's louder there, then go to the bottom end.. see where the noise is most prominent.

Vinhead1957 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2013, 03:48:58 PM »

I use the ear/long screwdriver method just like the old timers all the time, only difference is now I am an ole timer!

Brady · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2013, 09:54:14 AM »

well sound is def coming from area of #3 or #4 cylinder. I might try and pull this thing out this afternoon....can i handle that engine by myself or will I give myself a hernia if i do it alone.....

phil71 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2013, 01:33:55 PM »

You can do it. sometimes I undo the mounts, put an old couch pillow on the ground, and tilt the bike down. Then, life the bike back up, leaving the engine on the pillow. Work smart, not hard.

iron_worker · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2013, 01:39:42 PM »

That does not sound good. Sounds like either a cam chain whipping back and forth or bad bearing in the bottom end.

IW

Brady · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2013, 04:40:38 PM »

Thanks guys...starting pulling stuff off the bike today so i can hopefully pull engine tomorrow maybe...fighting a stuck bolt right now on left crankcase cover so depends how much trouble it gives me if i can do it tomorrow or not.

i may start a project thread on this whole thing....

andrewk · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2013, 06:15:09 PM »

You can pull the valve cover and the head on a 550 without removing the engine. If you have a centerstand, or some way to raise and stabilize the bike, save some initial effort and evaluate the engine in the frame.

Brady · « **Reply #20 on:** January 30, 2013, 09:13:42 PM »

Quote from: rotortiller on January 30, 2013, 05:05:38 PM

Sounds like a gas leak, compression or exhaust.

what would cause that? a broken valve or seal?

Quote from: andrewk on January 30, 2013, 06:15:09 PM

You can pull the valve cover and the head on a 550 without removing the engine. If you have a centerstand, or some way to raise and stabilize the bike, save some initial effort and evaluate the engine in the frame.

yeah, i thought about it but figure i might as well pull it and see what else i find in there.

goldarrow · « **Reply #21 on:** January 30, 2013, 10:00:03 PM »

You can start taking off engine pieces with it on frame. Once down to bottom case, then lift off the bike. No hernia. That's how I did mine. if hernia is what you want, when u done fixing it, bolt everything back, then try to lift it back on frame but of course there is easier way.

Brady · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2013, 07:47:11 AM »

Quote from: rotortiller on January 31, 2013, 01:43:30 AM

Could be leaking spark plug, head gasket, cracked head, exhaust gasket or damaged valve. Try a compression check.

thanks. did the check already, it's low across the board w/ all 4 hovering around 100 and #3 being the lowest at 90.

Brady · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2013, 07:42:52 PM »

small update. got the head disassembled. would be curious if anyone thinks anything looks excessively worn.

pistons are secure in the cylinders. no movement. cylinder walls feel smooth. fingernail doesn't catch on any grooves. everything seems to be lubricated.

valves for #3 seem to be wet or have some light sheen on them of some sort. also inside the intake port was wet while all the others were dry. wondering if there's not a leak there.

---someone cut holes in the valve cover?

?

phil71 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2013, 08:09:49 PM »

Have you checked for leaky valves?

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Author Topic: cylinder not firing and weird ticking/clicking sound (Read 5934 times)