Engine knock
 

My 03 has started knocking under load. I have only noticed it in first gear, as i load the engine to leave a light, take off, etc. Any ideas as to what may be causing this? I always run 91 octane, unless its just bad gas, but Thats hard to blame since i fill up once a week. [sm=dontgetit.gif] Any input or experience would be much appreciated. Thanks.

RE: Engine knock
 

have 93 in your area? sure it's a engine knock and not something else

RE: Engine knock
 

Is it with the clutch all the way in, or as you are releasing it? I have heard clutch baskets make some pretty bad noises before too.

RE: Engine knock
 

No 93 in the area. And its after clutch is fully released. Also its sounds like its from the top of the motor, but then again that is hard for me to pin point. At first i thought maybe the valves, but that doesnt make sense, they would do it all the time not just under a load. Picture yourself leaving a stop light in first gear, at about 2500 rpm you roll ( not wheelie roll, but hard and smooth) on the throttle, its then i hear a short rattle like noise. Kinda similar to tsarting a manual trans. car in third gear.

As far as the gas goes maybe i can try a different fill station? i dunno, really stupmed on this cause it came outta no where. and hasnt gone away after four or five fill ups.

RE: Engine knock
 

try a better gas station.. get the highest octane you can, get some octane booster.. while studys show it only raises 1-2 octane it'll help and run that thru a few tanks and keep us updated

RE: Engine knock
 

Agree completely with Bob here, sounds like a bad tank of gas perhaps> If you are due for plugs that could make it a tad worse, get some boost, get that tank of gas burned up and try again. If no help come back and we keep looking.

RE: Engine knock
 

Does it do it in any gear other than first? Is it possible that maybe the clutch is slipping or going bad? I know my clutch is starting to go...and it makes some weird noises sometimes. Also, try pulling the clutch all the way in, putting it in first, and then rev it up a bit while still holding the clutch in...see if it makes any noise or tries to lurch forward...that would mean bad clutch...

RE: Engine knock
 

Ill try the octane boost. i havent been riding as much the past few weeks. Just short trips, so the gas will sit sometimes for a week or two. could be fouling up. Plugs are new, so is the clutch (both sets of plates), clutch springs, and the lifter bearings. I did all this about 3 months ago. Then just left it parked for a while. The knocking just started. besides, it only does it in first at low rpms if I roll on the throttle with some effort. if i wait for higher rpms before i crack it, it wont rattle. It seems like it just doesnt have the power down low. Could it be my HTEV not functiong properly and its killing my mid range torque?

RE: Engine knock
 

It could be rod bearing knock. I shredded my engine bearings when I shredded my clutch.