Tapping noise

21158 Views 27 Replies 10 Participants Last post by tima, Sep 25, 2015

Nostromo

Discussion Starter · Aug 20, 2014

Hello,
I have a 2014 696 with about 500 miles and I am writing to ask about a peculiar noise which it has had since mile 1. When the engine is at 3000rpm (slow section exiting the neighborhood) in, say second gear, after a second or two I hear a rapid tapping noise start up. Strangely, it doesn't seem rpm or speed related. It goes away if the rpm drop, and while it seems to stay if the rpm are raised, I can't be sure this is the case because the base engine noise and exhaust become louder. It's sounds like a solenoid cycling at a high frequency. It's clearly noticeable above the deeper, more mechanical, engine noise.
Any similar observations or thoughts on what it might be? I'll ask the dealer next time I'm there, but since that's a long haul from where I live, I'm avoiding going there till the 7500 mile mark. Thanks.

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7 Summits

· #2 · Aug 20, 2014

Check your tires for a nail or screw? I kept hearing that sound in my SUV, but only at medium speeds. The wind noise covers it up at high speed and low speed you don't notice it. Just a thought.

tye1138

· #3 · Aug 20, 2014

Can you make the noise when you rev the motor in the garage? If so, can you shoot a short video so we can hear it?

If it doesn't go quicker with engine RPM's or speed of the vehicle, then its most likely something loose externally.

Nostromo

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 21, 2014

Thanks for responding. Not tire related. If I had to guess, I'd say the tapping has a frequency of a few hertz (so quite rapid), which seems steady. I still hear it at 4000 rpm, but it's harder to discern over the increasing engine sound. I can't detect a change from 3000 to 4000 rpm. It ramp up to a steady volume a second or two after reaching 3000 rpm . There's a clear and immediate fading of the noise as soon as I let off the throttle at 3000rpm.
Oh, the tapping is not detected when the motor is revved with the bike at rest. I'll try to make an audio recording.

Andrew848

· #5 · Aug 21, 2014

That's exactly what my '07 1098 is doing. I can't hear it at idle or if I rev it up, only while at a steady throttle. Mine is more like a 'ticking' though.

tye1138

· #6 · Aug 21, 2014

If the tapping doesn't exist when not riding, then its something physically on the bike hitting something. Why at low RPM"s has to do with the speed of the bike and wind noise, you probably simply can't hear it past a certain speed.

Just a guess, but these things happen and its hard to find when riding the bike.

Andrew848

· #7 · Aug 21, 2014

tye1138 said:
If the tapping doesn't exist when not riding, then its something physically on the bike hitting something. Why at low RPM"s has to do with the speed of the bike and wind noise, you probably simply can't hear it past a certain speed.

Just a guess, but these things happen and its hard to find when riding the bike.

Mine will make the sound in any gear and at any speed. I just can't duplicate the sound when it's in N. I've gone over all the exhaust with a listening tube while at idle and hear nothing. I initially thought it was exhaust related but don't think so now. Could be wrong but we'll see. Eventually.

7 Summits

· #8 · Aug 22, 2014

Maybe have someone else sit on the bike on the rear stand in gear and rev the engine while you look around?

tye1138

· #9 · Aug 22, 2014

Andrew848 said:
Mine will make the sound in any gear and at any speed. I just can't duplicate the sound when it's in N. I've gone over all the exhaust with a listening tube while at idle and hear nothing. I initially thought it was exhaust related but don't think so now. Could be wrong but we'll see. Eventually.

IDLE isn't going to help, you'll have to rev it to the same level as you would if riding it.

For months I thought my bike was making an odd noise. Turns out it was my helmet, one of the wings on the top was whistling in the wind at certain speeds.

Andrew848

· #10 · Aug 22, 2014

It's not my helmet. The ticking is in rhythm with the motor. Motor turns faster and ticking is faster, etc. Others have ridden it and are aware. (they weren't wearing my helmet)

Nostromo

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 22, 2014

It's been raining for two days now, so I've not been able to make a sound recording.
The tapping/clicking does occur in every gear, but it is most clearly audible at 3000 rpm, and gets drowned out above 4500rpm.
If the engine is revved to 3000 rpm in neutral, the sound is not audible. I don't believe it is something loose and hitting the frame. It is far too regular in frequency and consistent in its occurrence.
Does anyone know if the fuel tank purge circuit has a solenoid valve. I know these are often cycled at a given duty cycle and a bad piston seat in the valve can make such a noise (I had it happen in Mazda I once had).
I've scheduled a visit to the dealership for next Friday.

tye1138

· #12 · Aug 22, 2014

There is no purge circuit or anything like that.

My guess is, you could be simply hearing the clutch chug away.

Andrew848

· #13 · Aug 22, 2014

Nostromo said:
It's been raining for two days now, so I've not been able to make a sound recording.
The tapping/clicking does occur in every gear, but it is most clearly audible at 3000 rpm, and gets drowned out above 4500rpm.
If the engine is revved to 3000 rpm in neutral, the sound is not audible. I don't believe it is something loose and hitting the frame. It is far too regular in frequency and consistent in its occurrence.
Does anyone know if the fuel tank purge circuit has a solenoid valve. I know these are often cycled at a given duty cycle and a bad piston seat in the valve can make such a noise (I had it happen in Mazda I once had).
I've scheduled a visit to the dealership for next Friday.

Since yours has always made that noise, maybe it's supposed to sound like that. After all, there's nothing really quiet about these bikes.

Mine started doing it a few weeks ago from being very slight, increasing to where it's at now. Doesn't seem to be getting any louder and it definitely didn't make the sound before.

Talked with my mechanic and he says he'll get to it today or tomorrow at the latest.

opcorn:

Slower than you

· #14 · Aug 25, 2014

Piston slap?

AFAIK Ducati has zero pin offset that lets them do this.

pat1098

· #15 · Aug 26, 2014

Good suggestion STY. (Haven't heard from you for a while)!

I was thinking something similar.

In the past the smaller air-cooled models had cast pistons, as opposed to the forged ones in the dearer models. These had a noticeable 'ting-ting-ting' at certain revs, more noticeable at certain temperatures.

I don't know if your model has cast pistons, but your dealer should be able to put your mind at rest. Or not..

If you know anyone with a similar model locally you could do a comparison.

Nostromo

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 27, 2014 (Edited)

I have to make an amendment to my original description of the problem. The noise does occur even when the motorcycle is at rest and revved to 3000rpm and above. It's a little lower in volume and I guess when I tested it earlier in my garage, the booming from the exhaust drowned out the tapping. Clearly audible if the test is done on the driveway/outdoors.
I'm familiar with piston slap noise. This doesn't sound like it, and the peculiar thing is that it has a soft start, which is to say that when I get to just over 3000rpm, you can hear it start as if someone slowly turned up a volume knob to a preset setting. Is there a possibility that it is aggravated flutter in one (or both) of the timing belts from the tension being too low? If weather permits, I should have it at the dealership this Friday.

tye1138

· #17 · Aug 27, 2014

Can you shoot a video? I bet we can figure out pretty quick if we can hear it.

Doubt its the belts, they'd have to super over tightened to make any real noise.

Are you sure its simply not the clutch basket? Its your first Ducati right? Once the clutch wears in, it does make A LOT of noise from the clutch area. If you pull in the clutch lever and listen, does the noise change?

Nostromo

Discussion Starter · #18 · Sep 1, 2014

Yes, this is my first Ducati. The clutch noise is very faint, meaning that while pulling the clutch lever at idle does make the overall noise level a little lower (rattling component disappears), the change in minimal.
Anyway, made it down to the dealer in Lexington KY on Friday. The tech rode it, and agreed there was a clearly audible tapping noise which he said was more noticeable on deceleration between the 4000 to 3000 mark (I hadn't told him that, but good to know we're on the same page). They checked the belt tensions which came out to 96 and 101 Hz and considered them to be in the recommended 90-100 Hz range. However, they said that since the bike is running fine otherwise, they're not inclined to label the noise as abnormal and, thus, not investigate the issue any further. Not pleased about that.
I made two attempts at recording the noise. At rest, when the motor reaches 3000rpm, there's such a metallic cacophony, that the offending noise can't be heard. But when in motion, the wind noise seems to be a problem in the recordings... and I'm afraid of dropping the phone.
Did an oil & filter change as a part of the 621 mile service. The usual very light amount of metallic dust on the drain plug magnet, some aluminum flecks at the bottom the catch container along with several small pieces of gasket making sealant. Quite normal I'd say. But it only took 3 quarts to reach the upper sight glass mark. The manual claims a 3.7 liter sump capacity. Odd.

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Andrew848

· #19 · Sep 9, 2014

Just got the bike back and after valve check, some other adjustments and the noise is gone. Completely.

After 3 1/2 weeks of waiting, it looks as if it were valve related. He was the busiest he's ever been so first come first serve.... He said he adjusted some spring(s), checked valves which were all in spec. He then went over everything he could think of short of taking the bike/motor apart. When I picked up the bike he said he had no answer as far as the ticking sound but in his opinion the bike had nothing wrong with it and it runs great. I paid him for his time (partly with scotch) and took off on the bike... Didn't take long and I realized the sound is gone so whatever he did, worked. I immediately called him with the good news to which he answered that he should've charged me more, lol.

pat1098

· #20 · Sep 9, 2014

This is good news Andrew, although it would be nice to know what fixed the noise.
I was tempted to suggest your sound may have been a loose valve clearance when I first read it, but your tech told you he didn't change these.
Not sure what springs he "adjusted".
But at least the sound is gone, which I guess is the main thing.

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