is my cam bearing starting to fail?

[Bmarchant]

Hey guys,
The other day I started to hear a faint whinning noise coming from the bikes engine ( I think). I don't remember hearing it before. It doesn't seem to change pitch (I'm a musician)...... and its not very loud at all.

Is this my cam bearing going? Also, I recently changed to REVTECH SYNTHETIC MTP 20W50 oil in my motor, about 4 weeks ago. Should I go back to regular oil? I've noticed the engine is a little noisy with the synthetic over regular oil. Thats why I'm thinking of going back, but it looks like if this cam bearing is going, it might be too late.

 

[Bmarchant]

I did change my trans oil and went from the Redline ShockProof to RevTech 80W90.

 

[Daddycool]

do you hear it at idle or while riding?

 

[Bmarchant]

While riding... left side, and its not really noticable, but I can hear it.

 

[erldawg]

Cam and bearings are on right side.

 

[Daddycool]

most likely not the cam.

 

[Bmarchant]

Cam and bearings are on right side.

Well, thats good to hear!!! Funny though, I just started to notice it the other day, and I had
changed my trans fluid (20 oz) but I used the RevTech 80W90 as listed in the service manual.

It had the Redline shockProof in it for the last three years. I've since drained the RevTech out, and put the Redline back in, but I haven't had a chance to ride it. Its been raining in NH for 6 days now.


I'll see if the sound is gone. 80W90 was too thin. Not sure why they recommended it in the manual.

THANKS as always guys......

 

[erldawg]

Ahh ya wimp just get out and ride it ....:lol::roll:

 

[BBChopper]

Well, thats good to hear!!! Funny though, I just started to notice it the other day, and I had
changed my trans fluid (20 oz) but I used the RevTech 80W90 as listed in the service manual.

It had the Redline shockProof in it for the last three years. I've since drained the RevTech out, and put the Redline back in, but I haven't had a chance to ride it. Its been raining in NH for 6 days now.


I'll see if the sound is gone. 80W90 was too thin. Not sure why they recommended it in the manual.

THANKS as always guys......

Carrier probably about to fly off, how's the clutch pull?

 

[Bmarchant]

Clutch pull is good, the same. Nothing seems wrong, other then that new sound. Thats why you shouldn't change the fluids. EVER! hahaa

.....I know.... Just ride the damn thing till it dies. I know all the sounds with 2-stroke dirt bikes, but V-twins are new for me. Its a sound that wasn't there last week.

I've gotten over the fact that these bikes make WAY more noise and ticks then a Jap bike...... I'm still riding it every day, but if this is something that can take out the engine like I've read on the V-twin forum, I'd like to fix it first.

The noise does change pitch, and its on both sides of the engine, middle to front. Its a airy sounding whine. Even at idle I can hear it. It follows the revs. Sounds like your wife breathing when she has a cold and she is asleep....... Very faint whine.......

I'm guessing I can have my brother in law (Harley Mech) take a look at it this weekend. I was trying to not do that if I could figure it out with your guys help.

Hey you gotta give me some credit for the great description of the sound. I did that without a Sam Adams.

 

[Daddycool]

This is just a "swag" but have you checked for a vacuum leak? I went on a poker run a few weeks back and one of my vacuum caps came up missing (still wondering about that). easy fix if thats what you have.

 

[outdoorsman26]

you dont have a belt drive do you:roll:

 

[PurpleDog]

Maybe you should ask if anyone has ever had a cam bearing go out (or any other bearing you can think of) go out at X many miles?

My wife called me once while I was out of town; she say's my car is making this noise. She attempted to describe it to me for what seemed like an hour before I said, fine - go buy a new car......:bang::bang::bang:

Maybe it would help if we knew what scale and note the sound is....

 

[TCALZ06]

when is the last time you lubricated the clutch rod?

I had that start whine one time and I took that rod out and greased it and problem fixed

 

[Bmarchant]

Actually, one of the first things I did check for was a vacuum leak. I also checked for an exhaust leak. I've got 22,000 on the bike. Its an 03 chopper.

I did take if for a ride last night since the rain stopped for a few hours. The trans likes the Redline shockproof better then the RevTech 80W90, so that was a plus.

If it was an air leak though, wouldn't it be running different? Too lean? right? I would notice popping and coughing, but its running fine. Guess I'll just ride it till there are more symptoms to figure it out.

Thanks for the input guys.

PS: the note is an Eb by the way. In case you guys get a chance, half my band (The Royal Pains) is on tour with Sully Erna from GodSmack right now as his backup band on the Avalon Tour.

 

[BadBrad]

Sounds like your wife breathing when she has a cold and she is asleep....... Very faint whine.......
QUOTE]

What I want to know is how do you know how my wife sounds when she is sleeping? And she said that she was out of town working.

 

[Bmarchant]

Sounds like your wife breathing when she has a cold and she is asleep....... Very faint whine.......
QUOTE]

What I want to know is how do you know how my wife sounds when she is sleeping? And she said that she was out of town working.

I play in a band........ You let her go out to clubs. I'm just saying.............

The women at our shows that go backstage are someones wife or mother.....hehehehe . God I love Rock n Roll. Only way for ugly bastards to get beautiful women. Play Guitar!

 

[Five Five]

How is your oil pressure ?
Any presence of fine metal when you changed your oil ?

 

[05chop]

How about the primary chain being to loose.

 

[Bmarchant]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm gonna take it out again this morning and see if I can pin point it.

Had just changed my oil three weeks ago, transmission oil last week. Primary was about a month ago. Everything looked fine. No metal in the oil.