Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cylinder four ticking linked to rich plug? (Read 1964 times)

MattyK · « **on:** July 16, 2013, 01:57:49 PM »

My 74 550 is ticking at idle and during crusing and the sound increases as rpms do. Ive narrowed the sound down to cylinder 4 which also runs rich. Ive checked tappets multiple times and float height and cant seem to find a problem. Now the sound could be completely unrelated to the carboned plug but i just dont know where to go from here...

reddyvv · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2013, 02:15:08 PM »

You may have worn rocker arm shaft journals. Take the end cap off and see if the rocker arm shafts are riding in the center of the casing holes. If one of the holes looks oval or the shaft is off center that could be your problem.

MattyK · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2013, 02:32:39 PM »

If I'm looking at the right holes, they look good to me...

reddyvv · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2013, 02:44:05 PM »

You may want to try taking the #4 tappet caps off and turn the engine over slowly to make sure that the tappets are pushing down on the valves when you check. If there is any wear it will be more obvious as the shafts will ride up from the pressure being applied to them.

Did you check your cam chain adjustment recently? Could be a loose chain (not quite a ticking sound) you are hearing although you say it's from the right side.

iron_worker · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2013, 02:46:43 PM »

Exhaust leaks can also sound like a ticking noise.

IW

MattyK · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2013, 02:54:45 PM »

I've already adjusted the can chain and have for the most part gotten that noise to go down. So I should turn the engine over and look at the tappets? I'm not that familiar with the internal stuff....and is there any way to test for exhaust leaks t the header?

Fritz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2013, 03:00:45 PM »

Quote from: iron_worker on July 16, 2013, 02:46:43 PM

Exhaust leaks can also sound like a ticking noise.

+1

Tighten the bolts of #4's header pipe.

MattyK · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2013, 03:02:38 PM »

I'm afraid if I tighten them anymore the studs will come out! Maybe check the crush gasket? Could that cause a ticking sound?

InTheStreet · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2013, 03:03:47 PM »

Are you sure it's rich, not oily?

MattyK · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2013, 03:30:25 PM »

Well here's a twist. I was surprised to con across a pretty decent plug color just checking it right now. I took it out for a ride after looking at the carbs last night and it maybe adjusted! Anyway here's a video of the sound...http://youtu.be/oD5MuzmwmNM

MattyK · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2013, 04:42:38 PM »

Anything?

Fritz · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2013, 04:47:28 PM »

Quote from: MattyK on July 16, 2013, 03:02:38 PM

Maybe check the crush gasket? Could that cause a ticking sound?

Yes, definitely.

nevernoluck · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2013, 04:50:49 PM »

If everything checks out that has been previously stated, is your valve lash adjuster wore on the bottom at an angle, how about broken valve spring? Just a couple more ideas, I'm fighting the same problem on intake no 1, my adjuster bolt was wore at an angle, changed it and quieted down quite a bit but still need to adjust it again, verdict still out on mine but not may more options out there, everything suggested to me has checked out but I can get my tick to come and go, high rpms bring it on as does slow cruising for long periods but mine will go away if I cruise down highway for 15-20 miles but come back when I cruise down a country road

MattyK · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2013, 05:22:35 PM »

I'm confused on what you mean "wore at an angle". So it the bottom of the tappets slanted? I've checked them and they seem to spring back fine.

MattyK · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:01:58 PM »

Thought I would mention te sound is constant through out the powerband, nothing really dampens it at all either.

nevernoluck · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:05:59 PM »

Quote from: MattyK on July 16, 2013, 05:22:35 PM

I'm confused on what you mean "wore at an angle". So it the bottom of the tappets slanted? I've checked them and they seem to spring back fine.

Let me research your parts make sure it similar to my bike and get back to you

MattyK · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2013, 07:51:45 PM »

sounds good

scottly · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2013, 08:18:50 PM »

Quote from: MattyK on July 16, 2013, 03:30:25 PM

Well here's a twist. I was surprised to con across a pretty decent plug color just checking it right now. I took it out for a ride after looking at the carbs last night and it maybe adjusted! Anyway here's a video of the sound...http://youtu.be/oD5MuzmwmNM

Sounds more like an exhaust leak to me than a tappet...

MattyK · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:01:13 PM »

I will replace the crusher gaskets and see how it reacts.

Red Good · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:57:37 PM »

Check the plug boot on that cylinder and see if it's not leaking spark to the block ?

reddyvv · « **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2013, 05:21:01 AM »

Quote from: MattyK on July 16, 2013, 03:30:25 PM

Well here's a twist. I was surprised to con across a pretty decent plug color just checking it right now. I took it out for a ride after looking at the carbs last night and it maybe adjusted! Anyway here's a video of the sound...http://youtu.be/oD5MuzmwmNM

It sounds more like an exhaust leak rather than a metallic sound, especially at a high idle.

uksparky · « **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:12:45 AM »

That's exhaust leak... i had the same leak when i had my mac exhaust off....when you insert the pipes to the head make sure the head pipe fits right centre on the copper washer, i had to push one of the head pipes with a lever while tightening the flange nuts...plus i reversed the washers..no leaks

MattyK · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2013, 01:32:04 PM »

Right on, new crush washers did the trick!

News:

Author Topic: 74 CB550 Cylinder four ticking linked to rich plug? (Read 1964 times)