engine knock

[Voyager12-2003]

low octane gas or weak oil???????

[Highway Rider]

You make it hard to answer your question.
You say it has a knock well we need to know how it is accuring like under acceleration, at cruising speed, what rpm is it most prevalent.
You say low octane fuel what (octane are you using) you say week oil what oil are you using (weight and brand)
So what I'm asking you is to give the best description and you will get the best answer on this forum. It may not have anything to do with fuel or oil.

[Lucasind]

Jim is right, much more info needed....... many years ago, a guy brought me a in-line 4 bike
(I think it was a Suzuki) that he had just acquired, saying the bike ran like sheet,and had a knocking noise.... found the carbs so far out of balance,that it thru the operation of the engine out of balance,gave the bike a tune up and pulled the carbs ,went thru them,reassembled all,balanced carbs,and the noise was gone. So giving as much info about your bike ,and the sound you hear would be helpful !

[Mr Jensee]

Besides the Voyager was designed to run on 87 octane so fuel octane isn't causing it.

[Voyager12-2003]

I rode for a couple of hundred miles and used two tanks of 89 octane. Today rode about 150 miles and there was no knock the first hour and a half. Then for about 20 minutes the knock started low and got more noticeable. I got to a stop light, lot of traffic, the knock died down. When I got moving it came back about 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm. This went on for about 10 minutes, then another stop light. When I got moving again the knock did not start up again at 1000 or 3000. The remainder of the ride, about 45 minutes, was fine. Current oil is Valvoline 20-50 with about 2200 miles on it. Any suggestions?

[Bill O]

I rode for a couple of hundred miles and used two tanks of 89 octane. Today rode about 150 miles and there was no knock the first hour and a half. Then for about 20 minutes the knock started low and got more noticeable. I got to a stop light, lot of traffic, the knock died down. When I got moving it came back about 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm. This went on for about 10 minutes, then another stop light. When I got moving again the knock did not start up again at 1000 or 3000. The remainder of the ride, about 45 minutes, was fine. Current oil is Valvoline 20-50 with about 2200 miles on it. Any suggestions?

I don't know if anyone has addressed this but, if your oil level is high your engine can develop lifter clatter due to the oil foaming up. It usually starts after the engine gets to operating temperature and under high revs. At stop lights and slower speeds the foaming will dissipate and the lifter noise will go away. High levels of oil usually happens when too much oil is used during an oil change or the "two" Oil drain bolts were not removed when draining the old oil. I had this happen to me and it was quite annoying. I drained the oil and replaced the filter and filled it with 3 qts and 22 oz of oil and it never returned.

Bill O

[Jrichard]

I rode for a couple of hundred miles and used two tanks of 89 octane. Today rode about 150 miles and there was no knock the first hour and a half. Then for about 20 minutes the knock started low and got more noticeable. I got to a stop light, lot of traffic, the knock died down. When I got moving it came back about 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm. This went on for about 10 minutes, then another stop light. When I got moving again the knock did not start up again at 1000 or 3000. The remainder of the ride, about 45 minutes, was fine. Current oil is Valvoline 20-50 with about 2200 miles on it. Any suggestions?

I don't know if anyone has addressed this but, if your oil level is high your engine can develop lifter clatter due to the oil foaming up. It usually starts after the engine gets to operating temperature and under high revs. At stop lights and slower speeds the foaming will dissipate and the lifter noise will go away. High levels of oil usually happens when too much oil is used during an oil change or the "two" Oil drain bolts were not removed when draining the old oil. I had this happen to me and it was quite annoying. I drained the oil and replaced the filter and filled it with 3 qts and 22 oz of oil and it never returned.

Bill O

THE SAMe problem occurred on my 94 --------I called THE GURU------and described the noise ----the prognostication WAS LIFTER CLATTER-------too much earl in the motor---------rode for another 20 mi.and the clatter-chatter stopped -----finished the trip and changed to Rotella dino earl and NO mo problem-------------

[Voyager12-2003]

Thanks guy's, i'ts about time for an oil change. I'll be sure not to over fill....

[voyager55]

Buy a gallon of Rotella T 15-40 Take out 10 ounces, pour the rest in the bike.

[jek7galo]

In my Voyager, After replace gasket whater pump and take leak gas, begin a noise when yank with low RPM, like chain escaped, but if high RPM, don't do noise.
Can be carbs regulation or another problem?

[krasmu]

Buy a gallon of Rotella T 15-40 Take out 10 ounces, pour the rest in the bike.

I was looking for some of this Rotella T 15-40 and what I saw had "diesel" on the box. That can't be the right stuff.

[Highway Rider]

Yes it says for deisel. That is what I use

[SgtSlag]

Shell Rotella oils are all diesel, but they are also rated SM, or SN, for automotive (gasoline) use. Check the bottles, and look for the automotive rating donut. None of them have the dreaded "Friction Modifiers" which cause clutch problems. The Shell Rotella T oil, 15W-40, is fantastic, and inexpensive. It is used by many here, with great results. Cheers!

[krasmu]

Perfect. I'll go grab some for my oil change before Hurley

[Voyager12-2003]

Hi guy's... well I changed the oil and filter and found that there was almost 5 quarts of oil in the engine. I couldn't even see the level on the site glass, there was so much oil in her. Going for a ride tomorrow and put on a couple of miles.

[Lucasind]

and the "knocking" ? ? ?

[cushman eagle]

That is way too much oil That is a good way to get oil foaming and a clattering valve train.

[Voyager12-2003]

Went out for a ride today, about 120 miles, and turned up to 3500 rpm to check on engine knock and there was no knocking. The engine ran smooth and powerful.

[Mr Jensee]

Oh and Voyager 12-2003, forget the sight glass. It is useless. Put in 3quarts 22 oz. and you are good to go.

[Draxxis]

I just changed my oil today after a nice ride with my 40mph scooter friend. We put on 100 miles on the bikes. Then I came home and changed the oil (the oil in the bike had 2000 miles on it) to the Rotella 15W40. Tomorrow I will see how well it runs. I too had some knocking issue, but hopefully this will solve that.

For gas, I only put in the No Ethanol gas (which is usually only sold up here at 91 octane) because of the age of the bike.