Tick Tick

[NoMates]

Hey all, I started the trusty GZ this morning to go to work and noticed a very distinctive TICK TICK as soon as it fired. It did it again this afternoon after it had sat all day. It disappears straight away and doesnt do it when warm. Any thoughts? Oil change time? Valve adjustment time maybe? It is usually quite noisy up top when running at highway speed (80 to 90 kmh) but this is a very definate noise almost a clack. Maybe its telling me to stop riding its ass off and give it sum lovin? Cheers.

[alanmcorcoran]

A tick, tick that goes away sounds like what we used to call "tapping" and I agree, it's usually dry valves. Is your oil low? When was the last time you replaced the oil filter? Could it be clogged up?

Other, experienced motorcycle mechanics will weigh in here when they wake up, but I think the good news is that it goes away. When you have a serious valve tapping problem, usually (in a car, anyway) it's because the oil isn't there, or isn't circulating (oil pump), and it doesn't go away. Any leaks? White smoke?

[GZ250]

i do hear sometime this tick tick or tapping sound, as alanmcorcoran mentioned 'valves'. What I do and the easiest remedy before going to a shop and spending some $$ is to use a gas additive (fuel injector cleaner). Use it twice on fill ups now and on regular basis once at every oil change or when you feel so. I also use Premium gas now and then to clean the system.

[NoMates]

No smoke whatsoever and yes the oil is a tad low. Havent done an oil and filter change as yet but that is today(saturday)s mission. I always run my bike on 98 octane unleaded, it is slightly more expensive than 91 octane but hell Im not worried about cost. The fuel I use is a 10 percent blend of petrol and ethanol and is said to burn cleaner. It is marketed as a 'biofuel' it seems to go well in the zuki and my wifes 97 mitsi galant likes it as well (not a shameless plug!!)..I will do the oil etc and hopefully it stops the noise, my guess is it will.

[alanmcorcoran]

In the States, the vernacular for low octane misfires/pre-ignition/detonation/dieseling is "pinging" and "knocking." Of course, none of these sounds sound like the words we use for them, it's just the lexicon we've all agreed with. I don't think that's what your sound is, but just in case it is, it is typically caused by an engine that, for various reasons, requires a higher octane.

I experimented with various octanes and confirmed what Easy and IQ have posted here: In a standard GZ, you don't need any more than the cheap 89 stuff. I don't get any pinging or knocking with the lower octane. I have no personal experience with ethanol but I understand it has a higher "octane" rating and the 98 number you have is a result of a blend (I think pure ethanol is 116.)

Ironically, one of the side effect of ethanol is it is less efficient than "petrol" and it reduces gas mileage. Probably not so much that you notice, especially on a GZ, and you said you weren't worried about cost anyway.

I think your problem is your oil is too low. Most of the motorcycle tips I've read recommend you start and let the bike run for a few minutes before you take off. This is partly to make sure that the oil gets distributed around on all of the engine parts before you put them under additional stress.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

I think your problem is your oil is too low. Most of the motorcycle tips I've read recommend you start and let the bike run for a few minutes before you take off. This is partly to make sure that the oil gets distributed around on all of the engine parts before you put them under additional stress.

Time for my 2 peso's , I guess.
Could be due to low oil.
One needs a short warmup but 30 seconds should be plenty.....unless it is REALLY cold.

I don't notice any "unusual" noises from mine.......except when re-started HOT. Then I notice pronounced lifter "ticking" for the first minute or so. Normal ?? Don't know for sure. I assume it is.

[NoMates]

:2tup: Thanks guys. I did my oil and filter and the tick has gone away. I always let my bike warm up for a minute or so before I ride off, it gives me time to do up my lid and put my gloves on etc. I didnt think it was detonation cos it went straight away and once everything was warm it didnt do it.
Another thing, is the crank splash lubricated or pressurised? Has anybody here experimented with an external oil cooler for a bit extra cooling and oil volume maybe?? :skeptical:
And by the way its election day here in NZ and the funny thing is our election has had waaay less coverage here than the U.S election did, it looks like we are in for a change as well...
JMTCW
Rock on..... :rawk:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by NoMates

Another thing, is the crank splash lubricated or pressurised? Has anybody here experimented with an external oil cooler for a bit extra cooling and oil volume maybe?? :skeptical:

Don't know. A service manual is available for download here.....if you really care.

In order for an oil cooler to be practical, you need access to oil lines or races to tap into. On this bike, I think the only place to do that (relatively) easy would be the filter housing.....and that would probably end up being BUTT ugly.....or worse.

[Sarris]

The hex plug underneath the oil filter housing is an oil pressure gauge tap (per the manual). You may be able to elbow to that fitting for a supply but where to return??

I'm also fairly sure that the GZ has an oil pump so that would be pressurized, right?

:??:

[alanmcorcoran]

It has an oil pump. Or at least it did in 1999. Was in the filter housing I think.