Author Topic: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings  (Read 1851 times)

Offline TonUpTrav

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Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« on: 13.05. 2014 19:46 »
I got my 59 Super Rocket out today and drained the oil from the sump.  The magnetic sump plug had more than the usual metal shavings on it.  I drained and added oil.  It's always had the british bike clatter since I picked it up last year.  However,  it seemed to have a bit more clatter than I remember since I last road it (or so it seems compared to the 54 Golden Flash I picked up a week ago).  Obviously increased shavings means there is increased wear on something in the motor but is it something I need to be weary of and stop riding it?  I'd hate to destroy the motor!  The motor has right at 900 miles on it since it was rebuilt about 15 years ago.

Thanks,
Travis

Offline bsa-bill

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #1 on: 13.05. 2014 19:57 »
Shavings ! Travis is that shavings as in slivers of metal like very small finger nail clippings - that is not good

I would say normal stuff from a magnetic sump plug would be like a soft grey paste but not anything that would be recognisable as a piece of metal

which of the above best describe your shavings
All the best - Bill
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1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline TonUpTrav

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #2 on: 13.05. 2014 20:10 »
Largest being a bit smaller than the tip of a ball point pen maybe.

Offline TonUpTrav

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #3 on: 13.05. 2014 20:35 »
Maybe small flakes is a better description.

Offline Derby Rob

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #4 on: 13.05. 2014 20:53 »
metal shaving?...crank shims maybe?
61 BSA A7,yamaha rd500 ,suzuki ts250er,suzuki x7,1958 francis barnett cruiser 80

Offline muskrat

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #5 on: 13.05. 2014 21:37 »
That was my 1st thought too Rob.
Trav, pop the primary cover off, check the crank nut hasn't come loose and feel for end float. Also drop the sump plate off and see whats on the screen.
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Offline a10 gf

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #6 on: 13.05. 2014 22:19 »
Ditto. Can't say this is Travis' problem, but probably the 1st thing to check. Only magnetic pieces (apart from very fine stuff when running in) I've seen here are from destroyed endfloat shims, innerrace drive side not tight enough on shaft. I need to get some metal 'build-up' to secure it, which will hopefully lock any shims properly. And I learned to find one shim of the right thickness instead of many flimsy ones.

Found an old shim from my engine, see picture. On the worn part looks like half the original thickness is gone. Another had disintegrated.


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Offline TonUpTrav

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #7 on: 14.05. 2014 00:49 »
How difficult is it to replace the shims if they are found to be the
problem?

Online Brian

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #8 on: 14.05. 2014 00:53 »
Full engine dismantle Trav. The shims are located between the crank and the bearing on the left side.

If your magnetic plug is picking up anything more than a grey paste then the motor needs to come apart, things like this only get worse, not better and it is better to pull it apart and sort it than let it go bang.

Probably not what you wanted to hear.

Online KiwiGF

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #9 on: 14.05. 2014 12:17 »
Taking the ultra positive view, could the oil tank have not been cleaned out properly from a prior blow up?

If so that might leave you looking for the source of clatter which could be minor like dynamo chain or tappets  *lol* *good3*

Either way I would start looking for the source of clatter and be prepared for a strip down as per prior posts. *problem*

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Offline Topdad

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #10 on: 14.05. 2014 13:48 »
Kiwi, whilst hateing to disagree , what you say is a possibility but to get to the sump plate that metal has gone through the system and must now be treated as dangerous until found to be otherwise. I've always worked on the basis that metal there means a strip down to find out where it's come from . imagine the consequesces of a further lump getting into a bearing . So although I'm always optimistic I'd only feel safe with a look inside , regards BobH
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Offline Billybream

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #11 on: 15.05. 2014 09:02 »
Hi trav.
That,s bad luck, as stated before sounds like shims have broken up, relates also to increase in engine noise, no alternative but to strip engine, continue to run and costly damage will occur. Our worst nightmare.
1960 Super Rocket, owned since 1966, back on the road 2012 after being laid up for 29yrs.

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #12 on: 15.05. 2014 09:58 »
Heh Topdad/Bob its fine you disagree  ;)

Filings from the oil tank would go through the pump and end up in the sludge trap, some  I guess could go the other route and miss the bottom end and end up on the sump plate gauze.

Safest approach is to start stripping and clean the filings out of all the nooks and crannys.

Shims disintegrating has been mentioned here a few times, what is the root cause of shims failng? Is it the cush drive nut coming loose? Even for a short time? Is it possible to have incorrect parts that mean the bearing is not properly clamped?

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1949 B31 rigid “400cc”  (2nd finished project)
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Online chaterlea25

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #13 on: 16.05. 2014 22:19 »
Hi Travis,
Have you checked the tappet clearances?
Lac of or low oil pressure (PRV not opening) leads to the cam being starved of oil, so the cam and followers wear
tappet clearance increases = clattery engine and debris in the sump
 *sad2* *sad2* *sad2* *sad2* *sad2*

HTH
John
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Offline charles whitfield

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Re: Engine clatter and increase in metal shavings
« Reply #14 on: 16.05. 2014 23:12 »
Small bits like these?