Help with engine noise
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 592
From: USA
Help with engine noise
I have a high pitch squeal coming from the engine area. I can't pinpoint where from. It seems as if its louder on the left side of the bike from the best that I can tell. It mostly makes the noise while I'm moving and usually stops just before I come to a complete stop. But with that being said if I rap the throttle sometimes I can get it to do it as well and then it will usually keep squealing while idling at that point. My stater and rotor just went out and I had that it was probably the source but while I had the primary apart I thought I would inspect the chain and tension of it while in there. Every thing looked good chain slack was 3/4 inch when taken apart 11/16 now and I still have the noise. I'm assuming probably a bearing somewhere? The pitch of the noise don't really seem to change with engine speed but if I pull the clutch in or put in neutral the pitch does seem to slow down a little bit as the bike slows down. Any ideas please? Best way I can think to explain the sound is it sounds like a tire with an air leak in it? I should add its a 1998 ultra classic fuel injected with 50,000 miles.
Last edited by tmultra; Jul 30, 2013 at 06:07 AM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 592
From: USA
Pulled clutch out and clutch bearing seemed fine and so did the main shaft bearing. I didn't actually pull either bearing out because I don't have a press. Both seem to spin fine. Idk. Back to square one
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Fla
Harbor Freight has a mechanic's stethoscope for about 4 bucks...
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...?q=stethoscope
Use that to help pinpoint where the sound is coming from.
Sometimes you can use a piece of all thread and a couple of sockets, nuts/washers, and essentially make your own bearing press. Don't laff, it can work just as well as those pricey 'specialty' tools.
Some other things to look at in the mean time...
Look behind your air filter, on top left of the intake manifold near where the air filter mounts. There should be a brass vacuum hose nipple there. On my '99 RK, that hose nipple is capped off with a rubber cap like used on any automobile vacuum fitting.
If that nipple is cracked, or missing, the air going into the nipple because of vacuum in the manifold will cause a squealing or whistling when you rev the engine. On mine, I have to replace that cap every year and a half or so, when it deteriorates. If in your case it has a hose connected, check for leaks.
My nephew had a vacuum leak he could not locate, turned out it was that nipple had cracked right where it mounted to the intake manifold.
Also check the intake manifold to cylinder head gaskets. Maybe even replace all the o-rings in the sensors and injectors.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...?q=stethoscope
Use that to help pinpoint where the sound is coming from.
Sometimes you can use a piece of all thread and a couple of sockets, nuts/washers, and essentially make your own bearing press. Don't laff, it can work just as well as those pricey 'specialty' tools.
Some other things to look at in the mean time...
Look behind your air filter, on top left of the intake manifold near where the air filter mounts. There should be a brass vacuum hose nipple there. On my '99 RK, that hose nipple is capped off with a rubber cap like used on any automobile vacuum fitting.
If that nipple is cracked, or missing, the air going into the nipple because of vacuum in the manifold will cause a squealing or whistling when you rev the engine. On mine, I have to replace that cap every year and a half or so, when it deteriorates. If in your case it has a hose connected, check for leaks.
My nephew had a vacuum leak he could not locate, turned out it was that nipple had cracked right where it mounted to the intake manifold.
Also check the intake manifold to cylinder head gaskets. Maybe even replace all the o-rings in the sensors and injectors.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 592
From: USA
I think I just found the problem and it don't sound like a cheap fix. At the bottom of the front jug where it comes in contact with the crank the gasket is leaking. I see little air bubbles coming out of it. That is a bigger job then I would feel comfortable taking on myself 
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