02 VFR making tea kettle noise

[jorbar1551]

My 2002 VFR is making a really weird noise while riding at 80mph. Its random when it happens, and maybe lasts for 3-5 seconds. It is the same sound you get when you boil water in a tea kettle.

any ideas?

 

[jake28]

You have to be more specific: where is the noise coming from? Do you think it is motor-related or a something in the fairings?

If I had to make a random guess, maybe some of the CARB canister tubes is loose and sucking air and causing the whistling.

 

[scotinexcile]

Thermostat? What is the temp gauge reading?

 

[jorbar1551]

Temperature is fine....it happens at all temperatures. It sounds like it's coming from the engine area, but I can't replicate the problem whenever. Want. It usually only happens at freeway speeds

 

[bockscar]

if its at freeway speeds it may be related to airflow around the bike, this will come and go with changes in air temp. humidity ect, you could try putting masking tape around certain places to block or change airflow and see if it goes away,

 

[Ironbutt]

You're in luck today, there's an odd sound discount diagnosis sale going on.

Cam chain tensioner? Exhaust falling apart? Who the hell knows? It could be anything.. how 'in tune' is it?

 

[coddswaddle]

really, no one's said it yet?

if it sounds like a teakettle then it's time to teabag it arty

 

[jorbar1551]

I've got 23k miles, but its never had a valve adjustment or cam chain check in the 10k miles that i've had it. Chain and sprockets are new.

body work is in good shape, nothing loose....

it doesnt affect performance, just a very weird noise

 

[Ironbutt]

I've got 23k miles, but its never had a valve adjustment or cam chain check in the 10k miles that i've had it. Chain and sprockets are new.

body work is in good shape, nothing loose....

it doesnt affect performance, just a very weird noise

I'd check the valve adjustment and look at the camchain tensioners.. not sure if a visual is going to reveal anything but I remember replacing cam chain tensioner on just about every V4 Magna/Saber I've touched.. Check and see if there's a revision# change on the part #.. or a service bulliton. (sp)

@ 23k It's probably time for a tune up though.

 

[PhaTeLeSS]

My money is on airflow. Is it a steady whistling sound or does it vary? What happens if you speed up or slow down slightly while it's making the noise? Does the noise change or go away, or neither?

You've got to give us more to go on here...

 

[jorbar1551]

I'm guessing its airflow as well. I rode to work today, and heard the noise twice, both times above 80, while in slight right hand turns (580 W dublin-castrovalley)

its a pretty steady noise. Its either there or not

 

[PhaTeLeSS]

Are you sure it's not your gear creasing when you're in a certain position? You kinda just have to comb over your bike for loose stuff and batten it all down. A whistle could actually be a really high-pitched resonance.

 

[Traveler]

Factory wind screen? My '08 (same generation) does it at freeway speeds if the cross winds are just right. I slab it about 170 miles a day, 2~3 days a week and I've noticed it maybe 2/3 dozen times. I would describe what I'm hearing as a whine/whistle much like what you said. In my case it's air traveling over the bike/body work.

 

[alfisto]

Whistle tip?

 

[Marlowe]

Ahhahaa, check your helmet vents...those are the most likely to cause a high speed whistle.

Vacuum leak that size off any of the carbs, would be glaringly obvious.