spark plugs making clicking noise (i f*ed the valve adjustment)

BArTY

BArTY

Been Around the Block
my spark plugs are making a clicking noise, like they are arching somewhere but i cant figure it out. i replaced the plugs thinking that would help but still clicking. i also replaced the coils, and wires thinking that might solve something but no luck. it happens mainly at low revs when shifting into first gear from a stop for example. im not exactly sure where its happening but it sounds like its the spark plugs arching to the engine maybe? im pretty sure they are in tight enough, hand tightened to resistance then did about a 1/4 turn more, i dont want to over tighten them. anyone know what might be causing this to happen? or how i can maybe go about fixing this? ???
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

What coils are you using?
leads are properly seated?
New plug caps? (with all the boots in place?)
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

crazypj said:
What coils are you using?
leads are properly seated?
New plug caps? (with all the boots in place?)
Click to expand...

New Dyna 5ohm coils, new Dyna wires, Dyna S ignition, new NGK spark boots, and new NGK iridium plugs
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

Are you sure that's where the noise is coming from and not just a tappet noise which is also at teh top end. It can be hard to differentiate all the different noises from a motor. One possible way to test that is to set it to a fast idle and pull the 12v lead off one coil and see if the noise changes. Then repeat on the other side. Assuming it keeps running on two pots you should be certain where the noise is coming from.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

Valve clearance check time. If they're out of spec then they're probably whats causing it.

- boingk
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

boingk said:
Valve clearance check time. If they're out of spec then they're probably whats causing it.

- boingk
Click to expand...

does this require engine removal...?
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

BArTY said:
does this require engine removal...?
Click to expand...

Don't know what bike you have, but I can't think of a bike that requires the engine be removed to do the valve clearances anyway.

Also - check your exhaust header gaskets. A leak there can sound like a tapping / clicking sound as well.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

All these fine gents are right. Adjust your valves. Tighten everything that has a fastener on it to stock specs and see what happens. If you have a Honda twin, they can get real noisy up top if out of spec.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

hillsy said:
Don't know what bike you have, but I can't think of a bike that requires the engine be removed to do the valve clearances anyway.

Also - check your exhaust header gaskets. A leak there can sound like a tapping / clicking sound as well.
Click to expand...

i'm pretty sure its not an exhaust leak, i know that sound, this is more of an electrical clicking sound. or possibly a valve issue i've never heard one before so i can't rule it out. is it a big process to adjust the valves? will i need to replace a gasket? i've never done anything internally with this engine.. hints, tips?
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

BArTY said:
hints, tips?
Click to expand...

Buy a shop manual ;D or try to find one on the great interweb. What kind of bike do you have?

General maintenance is usually explained very well in most shop manuals. I had one for my cb360, and I have one for my xl125, they are lifesavers.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

Amen... A shop manual should always be your first purchase after picking up a bike. Adjusting and checking the valves is usually a simple operation. Youll need the correct feeler gauges and some basic hand tools. May seem daunting if you've never done it, but its really no big deal.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

Feed_Sparky said:
Buy a shop manual ;D or try to find one on the great interweb. What kind of bike do you have?

General maintenance is usually explained very well in most shop manuals. I had one for my cb360, and I have one for my xl125, they are lifesavers.
Click to expand...

i've got a 1975 cb750f and i do have a haynes manual, but i find it hard as hell to decipher haha! so adjusting the valves is "routine maintenance"? meaning it shouldnt be too difficult to handle?? i'm guessing i'll need a feeler gauge, will i also need to replace any gaskets? i'll read the manual when i get home tonight, just wanna know what kind of job i'm looking at here. thanks everyone, not sure where i'd be without you all!
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

BArTY said:
i've got a 1975 cb750f and i do have a haynes manual, but i find it hard as hell to decipher haha! so adjusting the valves is "routine maintenance"? meaning it shouldnt be too difficult to handle?? i'm guessing i'll need a feeler gauge, will i also need to replace any gaskets? i'll read the manual when i get home tonight, just wanna know what kind of job i'm looking at here. thanks everyone, not sure where i'd be without you all!
Click to expand...

I think the most you should have to do is remove the tank to get at the tappet covers. It's fairly simple and it is routine maintenance. There may be o-rings, but I am not sure.
 
Re: spark plugs making clicking noise

uh oh! i tried adjusting the valves according to the instructions but must have done something wrong because now im getting bad knocking when i start the bike, dont worry i didnt ride it like that nor run it very long, scared the crap outta me!

so... i need help in fixing what i've done. ::) the problem i have is i dont know where to manually crank the motor to before adjusting each valve. can anyone explain this part to me?
 
VonYinzer said:
Pull your side cover on the stator side. You should see what Im pointing ya towards.
Click to expand...

sorry, i know where i'm supposed to crank the motor at, but while turning the motor, i don't know where i'm supposed to turn to and stop to make the adjustments. i can see the valves rising up and going down while turning but i dont know when to stop turning.

quoted from instructions page "if you want to adjust the exhaust valve of the #1 cylinder, you can count on the fact that when the exhaust valve of the #4 cylinder opens and then stops moving (fully open), then #1 exhaust is fully closed and right for adjustment."

but what does a fully open valve and fully closed valve look like? i just need a visual, or better explanation of this, thanks.
 
A full closed valve is just that, fully closed. A fully open valve is fully open when it stops moving upward.
 
so if i want to adjust the #1 exhaust valve i need to watch the #4 exhaust valve while turning the motor until it is at its highest point? is the #1 supposed to go down sequentially? i didnt notice this happening
 
It's been a long time since I've done valves on a CB....

But I do remember if you have the crank at TDC you can check 4 of the valves....then turn the crank 360 deg to check the other 4...... I'm just can't recall which 4....but it should become apparent once you have the crank at TDC.
 
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