Slight chirping squeaking noise from front of engine

[borat]

I was out for a bit of a ride this evening and noticed a chirping or squeaking noise from the front of the bike (2003 Valk. Standard) while riding a low speed.  It almost sounded like suspension squeaking but as I rode on, the fairly loud squeaking stopped and I continued on my ride.  There was no noise at highway speed.  As I rode up my driveway to put the bike in the garage, I could hear the intermittent squeaking emanating from the front of the engine.  It seems to be coming from under the timing belt cover.  It's not a loud squeak.  It's barely audible.  However, when I first heard it and thought it was the suspension,  it was fairly loud. 

I did a few searches on the subject and didn't find anything that seemed to apply.  Does anyone have any advice regarding cause and cure?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks. 

[CB1]

vaccum lines have a crack. They go to the pair valve under the air box.

[Dave Weaver]

If it is coming from under the timing belt cover, it could be the tensioner bearings or actual tension of belts.  It's not too bad of a job to remove the cover to check either. Gasket is reusable.

[borat]

Thanks for the prompt reply.  

The noise does not seem to come from that area.  Also, wouldn't a vacuum noise have more of a whistle to it?   Would the noise not get louder with higher rpms?    To me, it seemed to have emanated from under the timing belt cover.   It sounds a bit like a very quiet fan belt squeak.  

[borat]

If it is coming from under the timing belt cover, it could be the tensioner bearings or actual tension of belts.  It's not too bad of a job to remove the cover to check either. Gasket is reusable.

The strange thing is that at one point the noise was quite audible and lasted for only a few seconds then it diminished to virtually inaudible.   When I got home, I left the engine idling and could hear a slight squeak from under the timing belt cover.  Seemed to be coming from the  left (clutch side) of the engine at the front.   I'm going to go out to the garage to fire it up again to see if I can pinpoint the source more accurately. 

Thanks for the help so far.

[CB1]

I thought my chirp was the belt also until I felt around the tube on the #4 intake and felt the split in it.

[borat]

I fired up the bike and took it out for a brisk five mile ride.  No noise when it fired up and no noise after the ride????   

Guess I'll have to wait to see if it returns. 

The bike has less than 14000 miles on it and is in almost show room condition.  Very well maintained.   That's why I was somewhat surprised to hear an unusual noise.  I'm wondering if there may have been a bit of residue built up on a tensioner or other component under the timing belt cover.  The bike is fairly new to me and I've never had the timing belt cover off of it or anything else for that matter other than the fuel tank to access the air filter.

I'd still appreciate hearing if anyone else has had a similar experience and would also like to thank those that have taken time to help me.   

[Patrick]

These monsters have a tendency toward some rubber build-up on the idlers.. It doesn't take much to clean them..

[RP#62]

If it immediately goes away when you put any pressure on the clutch lever, its the clutch pushrod (needs to be lubed).  If clutch lever makes no difference, its probably timing belts being too tight.
-RP

[Ricky-D]

I sense a reluctance to think it's a vacuum hose.

The stock hoses are notoriously famous for this exact thing.

Get some new hose material and change them out and you will find the noise is gone and also the offending hose.

***

[borat]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I went for another 30 mile ride today (same as yesterday) and there was no noise anywhere.  I'm beginning to think that maybe rubber or residue had built up on something under the timing belt cover and may have been dislodged.  Think I'll pull the cover to have a look.  

Edit:

I pulled the cover to find a fair amount of black residue built up on top of one of the ignition pick ups.  Enough to make contact with the back side of one belt.  However, the consistency of the build up did not appear to be solid enough to cause a noise if in contact with the belt.  I ran the engine with the cover off.   Everything looked normal.  Belts looked almost new and normal slack, idlers clear of any residue.  There was a good coating of residue all over the inside of the belt housing.   I thoroughly cleaned everything out.

Regarding the vacuum hose theory.  Would the noise be steady or intermittent?  Would the noise increase with engine rpm?   Would there be a change of pitch?   Does the noise go away completely? 

Right now, the engine is running as it usually does.  Quiet and silky smooth. 

[CB1]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I went for another 30 mile ride today (same as yesterday) and there was no noise anywhere.  I'm beginning to think that maybe rubber or residue had built up on something under the timing belt cover and may have been dislodged.  Think I'll pull the cover to have a look.  

Edit:

I pulled the cover to find a fair amount of black residue built up on top of one of the ignition pick ups.  Enough to make contact with the back side of one belt.  However, the consistency of the build up did not appear to be solid enough to cause a noise if in contact with the belt.  I ran the engine with the cover off.   Everything looked normal.  Belts looked almost new and normal slack, idlers clear of any residue.  There was a good coating of residue all over the inside of the belt housing.   I thoroughly cleaned everything out.

Regarding the vacuum hose theory.  Would the noise be steady or intermittent?  Would the noise increase with engine rpm?   Would there be a change of pitch?   Does the noise go away completely? 

Right now, the engine is running as it usually does.  Quiet and silky smooth. 

intermittent, low rpms, usually goes away above 35mph as it did onmy 1998 Tourer. My noise was there when it was cold (freshly started) and went away as it warmed up.

as I got into the higher rpms the chipring got faster, not really louder, but faster and once I reached around 40mph it was gone.

Once I felt aruond the #4 intake I felt where the hose had a bend. on the outsede edge of the bend there was a crack, as i moved the hose I head the chirp and it went away as I covered the crack.

[Skinhead]

If it is a vacuum leak, Vacuum decreases as throttle (load) increases, there fore I would expect the noise to decrease as speed/load increase.

[borat]

Well, whatever caused the noise, has disappeared - for now.  I'll have to see if it happens again.  At least now I know the interior of the timing belt housing is clean which should rule out that area.

Thanks again to everyone for their help. 

Happy riding.

[F7daved]

I had the exact problem on my 99 tourer. It will come back. Took to dealer & they est $700-$900 said it was the timing belt cracked this or that. Took to a local valkyrie mechanic & he diagnosed in 20 seconds. Turned out it was one of the smog parts. Desmogged her and noise was gone. Its not the timing belt they last forever. Just my 2cents

[borat]

I had the exact problem on my 99 tourer. It will come back. Took to dealer & they est $700-$900 said it was the timing belt cracked this or that. Took to a local valkyrie mechanic & he diagnosed in 20 seconds. Turned out it was one of the smog parts. Desmogged her and noise was gone. Its not the timing belt they last forever. Just my 2cents

Where are the smog parts and do all Valkyries have them? 

[F7daved]

If you haven't had your bike desmoged in my opinion you need to have it done. Find a local mechanic to desmog & sync carbs and you'll think the thing has a new engine. Just my 2 cents