Clank/clunk in Alternator Area

[Rio Wil]

Has anyone successfully identified and fixed the clunk that comes from the alternator area, especially when cold and at idle (doesn't make the noise when the engine warms up).  The noise of obviously magnified by the alt cover (serves as a speaker cone), so I am not interested in any method to deaden the clank......I am looking for the source...... the drive system for the alt is rather elaborate, flywheels, damper springs, rubber dampers, a driven gear, etc.   

I am wondering if maybe a broken damper spring in the flywheel or the spacers on the ends of the springs are worn...

So again, has anyone identified the source of the noise and fixed it.........been doing it for 100K+ so not a big issue but will probably be pulling the alt before long to replace the brushes.....about 130K on them now.

[Bighead]

Mine do do it so No.

[gordonv]

Has anyone successfully identified and fixed the clunk that comes from the alternator area, especially when cold and at idle (doesn't make the noise when the engine warms up).

What kind of clunk? The only one that comes to mind is the clunk when shifting into gear on a cold engine. This thread was just discussed recently.

I've heard of a whine noise coming from the alt. But I do not recall that it was heat related (comes and goes).

[Rio Wil]

The clunk occurs when cranking up from cold. Noticed at idle and is radiated by the the alt cover. I suspect most Valks over say 75K  develop this noise but if you don't have a alt cover or if you have loud exhausts you might not notice it. If the engine is rev'ed up from 900 rpm idle to even 1200-1400 rpm the noise ceases, and after the engine warms up in 5- minutes or so the noise is gone.  I am guessing its in the alt drive flywheel........

[Skinhead]

Are you talking continous noise at idle in nuetral with the clutch out?

[Rio Wil]

Nope.....it is radiated by the alternator cover (if you have one) and can be quietened by pressing on the alt cover. And, you can feel the clunk in the block area at the front of the alt......being in neutral or in gear or clutch in or out makes no difference. Its not transmission/clutch related.

[rxvalk]

I am experiencing the same noise as Rio Will is experiencing in his post(s) above.
Based on the fact that Rio will states it has been ongoing for quite some time I am wondering if anyone else has a similar problem and how long it has been ongoing with no further issues ramifications.
Within a few minutes of starting the bike this noise goes away and does not return until the bike has sat cold for a day or so.
Seems as if it may be an alternator drive bearing internal engine that goes away once the bearings receive some oil from the oil pump found in that area.
Since the noise goes away once lubricated I am wondering if it is a major concern or something that can be lived with for quite some time if not indefinitely as long as the noise does not become louder or occur outside of the first few minutes after a cold start.
Has been going on for at least a year.

98 tourer 58,000 miles

[The emperor has no clothes]

I am experiencing the same noise as Rio Will is experiencing in his post(s) above.
Based on the fact that Rio will states it has been ongoing for quite some time I am wondering if anyone else has a similar problem and how long it has been ongoing with no further issues ramifications.
Within a few minutes of starting the bike this noise goes away and does not return until the bike has sat cold for a day or so.
Seems as if it may be an alternator drive bearing internal engine that goes away once the bearings receive some oil from the oil pump found in that area.
Since the noise goes away once lubricated I am wondering if it is a major concern or something that can be lived with for quite some time if not indefinitely as long as the noise does not become louder or occur outside of the first few minutes after a cold start.
Has been going on for at least a year.

98 tourer 58,000 miles

I've had this symptom for a couple weeks since it got cold here. It's very unnerving, sounds like a rod knock. But goes away when warmed up.

[bentwrench]

Could this be a problem with the rubber dampers in the alt.drive?I have 102k on mine but no noise.
When I swapped the alt. at 75k all looked well in there.

[rxvalk]

Thanks guys. I plan to replace the alternator and the rubber dampeners in the next few weeks. Still thinking it is probably a bearing since it goes away after warming up.

[Rio Wil]

In short I have not found a solution or really not have decided what is causing the noise. I first noticed it at about 110K mikes and it has steadily gotten louder (not obnoxious tho) for the last 120K miles......so its not like it needs immediate attention.  The noise is amplified by the alternator cover , you can put your hand on the cover and quieten it down, but you can also feel a light thump/clunk in the engine that is responsible for the noise.  I suspect the issue is the dampers in the alternator are worn or perhaps the alternator clutch is is the culprit.  I have about 140K miles on the alternator and really need to pull it and replace the brushes........one of these days.

[Ricky-D]

It may be the chain drive in the oil sump making the noise.

I believe it's located in that place in the engine.

***

[Firefighter]

My 2000 IS has a clicking noise when cold, never really looked for it as am in to big a hurry to go riding, and the sound goes away in a couple of minutes. I always thought it sounded like a small exhaust leak, guess I should listen closer.

[Rio Wil]

I am a happy camper again......

I have needed to check the alternator brushes for some time now.....150K miles on the alternator, so I also wanted to investigate the slight clunk coming from in or about the alternator  (and cover) for the last 120K miles.

I had bought new brushes and alternator cush dampers some months ago, after disassembling the bike starting at the rear wheel I finally got the alternator removed.....hate this job.

Anyway, found the dampers were hard as a rock, the brushes were just beyond the wear limit, the commutator surfaces were amazingly good, (didn't even resurface them) and the rear bearing was a bit noisy (read dry).....picked up a new bearing at Napa for $27 (ugh).

Put it all back together (starting from the front wheel) , cranked it up and WHOoooWHooooo the clank/clunk was gone, the alt output measured just over 14V.....I'm stoked!!!!.....couldn't tell if the new bearing made any difference, but it was a good investment.

Someone had mentioned the dampers could get so hard they would clunk.....SPOT ON!!!!!!!!



 

[pancho]

Good to know Rio.