Tick,tick,tick, Help!

[abbaisdad]

Hi guys,
I am thinking about buying my first VMAX.The bike is a 2000 with low miles.One problem, the bike has a definate ticking noise.Owner claims a lack of power also. He took off the oil pan and found it clean without shavings.It does not smoke ,no water in the oil.It does drive.Can anyone think of any possiblity of what it can be?

 

[Buster Hymen]

The ticking noise causes me a bit of concern but coupled with the lack of power... don't like the sounds of that. I can't think of what would cause that, off the top of my head.

 

[abbaisdad]

Thank you anyway buster.I thought I was alone for awhile there.

 

[copilot777]

That sounds like a stuck open valve , or possibly a bent valve from over revving the engine .easy way to tell is do a compression check if u have 1 cylinder or more low or no compression that would indicate a very high possibility of a valve problem . :confused2:

 

[maxcruiser]

Hi guys,
I am thinking about buying my first VMAX.The bike is a 2000 with low miles.One problem, the bike has a definate ticking noise.Owner claims a lack of power also. He took off the oil pan and found it clean without shavings.It does not smoke ,no water in the oil.It does drive.Can anyone think of any possiblity of what it can be?

What's the mileage of the bike and where is the ticking noise coming from, valves, bottom end, etc... ?

This info will help figure out what's the problem with the bike.

:cheers: Mike

 

[82ndCowboy]

Well you have to consider the ticking noise may be totally separate from the loss of power.
What did the owner say about it? Did the ticking start at the same time as the power loss? Did he have it looked at? What makes him say it lost power?
I'm at a loss thinking the Bike just started ticking and lost power and then the owner just decided to sell it as is, without attempting to find out what the problem is.
What if it's just bad gas?
How long has he owned the VMax?
Has he ever done any work on it? ie: tune up, oil changes, had the valve covers off, or carbs off?
What mods has he done, if any?
What do the spark plugs look like?
What some people would call ticking, I find that it is sometimes normal engine sounds. The first time I rode my Max, I thought to myself, "man, is this supposed to sound this way?" The answer was Yes. It's normal. Nothing sounds weird to me any more, but some times people ask me why does it tick like that.
Loss of power could come from many things. Has the owner had the carbs adjusted by someone who knows how to adjust Quad Carbs properly with a sync tool? Not some Harley buddy of his, who just says he can do it by ear.
Has he had the fuel mixture adjusted? Have the brass caps on the fuel mixture screws been drilled out and replaced with rubber plugs? This will tell you if someone has played with the fuel mixture.
Maybe he was tinkering around doing some mod to it and accidentally unplug the vboost servo motor?
I know being how you are not the owner, some of these things you will not know. But you may want to write them down and ask the owner.

I'm not by any means an expert at troubleshooting the VMax. But I have learned a lot having owned one for 2 years now. What I am good at though is solving problems. And in order for the gurus in here to help you better, these are some of the questions that need to be answered in order for you to get the most accurate diagnosis.
I'm not trying to be a butt head, I'm just trying to help in the best way I can.
Good Luck!
I'm sure with more info a lot of the guys in here will be able to help you get everything sorted out.

 

[copilot777]

very well put there 82ndcowboyunk:

 

[82ndCowboy]

OOPS... forgot this question!
Being how he pulled the oil pan off looking for shavings for a power loss issue.
I would ask him what type of oil he used in the bike.
If someone was to put car oil in, then that could cause the clutch to slip, causing a power loss issue.

 

[abbaisdad]

Thank you 82ndCowboy,
That was great advice!!! I will ask him all those questions.
FRED

 

[lankeeyankee]

I am guessing bent valve. Sounds like its down on one cyl. I wouldnt rely on a compression check, I would perform a leak down test they more accurate.

 

[abbaisdad]

If I get it that will be my first thing on the list to try. THANKS

 

[one2dmax]

One place to check is the starter clutch bolts. Then check the cooling fan (if it only makes the noise when it's running). The stater clutch bolts are usually more noticeable at low idle and warm conditions.

By the way - for the record - car oil (not including synthetic) does not cause the clutch to slip. In fact you would have more grip in 99% of most cases.

Sean Morley

 

[82ndCowboy]

One place to check is the starter clutch bolts. Then check the cooling fan (if it only makes the noise when it's running). The stater clutch bolts are usually more noticeable at low idle and warm conditions.

By the way - for the record - car oil (not including synthetic) does not cause the clutch to slip. In fact you would have more grip in 99% of most cases.

Sean Morley

Thanks for correcting me Sean. For some reason I was under the impression that the added anti-friction additives in car oil would cause the clutch to slip.
My Bad!....
It's the noob in me slipping out!