Idle problems....... still

[maury]

I've got a couple days into this and am just blank.............
'83 GL1100
Idle set at 1100rpm. It's a rough idle and the tach bounces slightly up and down and will rise to 1300 and stumble over some seconds down below 1000 until it dies.
Engine makes loud clanking noises at times which I see reflected in the tach jumping when it happens.
Having to often reset main idle screw as well.
Carbs are sync'd the idle jet needles 3 turns out.
Engine revs without hesitation and sounds strong and good with rpms 1500+
Do I need to pull the carbs and check idle jets?
Any and all help greatly appreciated.

[gltriker]

I've been reading ' Similar Topics ' re: knocking sounds at engine idle speed.
In at least one of those ' Similar Topics ', the affected engine belonged to a GL1100.
The puzzler discovered a camshaft belt pulley retaining bolt was loose and that
camshaft pulley's machined keyway had been compromised and the pulley would twist back and forth on the pulley indexing keyed camshaft snout
Tachometer drive gear and fuel pump is driven off back end of the right side camshaft.

Another puzzler discovered a loose crankshaft timing belts pulleys retaining bolt was loose and allowing a similar knocking sound.
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I studied your total Topics history for a problematic GL1100 and found this one which caught my attention

'83 Re: Engine knocking
Starts easy and idles well. 43,000 miles. Complete overhaul minus clutch, carb rebuilds with synchronization at 38,000.
When cold and idling there is a moderately loud knocking (can seem to feel it when seated). At operating temperature and in neutral knocking subsides at idle but if idle is increased only a small amount (1,500?) and held, the knocking continues. When rev quickly and holding rpms higher there is no knocking.
Thoughts?

Complete overhaul of entire engine? aka "split the cases" ? Yes/No ??

[maury]

I'll be pulling the belt covers off tomorrow morning for sure.
Thanks so much.

OK........ I couldn't wait and just pulled the front covers.
Everything (belts, pulleys, tensioners) all look perfect.
Turned engine over with starter....... all is fine.

[maury]

Been a couple of weeks since last checked in............
I checked around other sites and kept researching the knocking and all and finally found a post that described my situation exactly..... at idle #2 cylinder not firing (pull plug and no engine change), intermittent loud bang noise, throttle up above 1,500rpm smooth and idling rpms all over the place. Their explanation.......... clogged idle jets. # 2 cylinder was not firing because with the jet completely clogged the cylinder has no fuel at idle. Pulled the carbs and found idle jets were blocked (2 completely and 2 partially). Just got all back together yesterday...... OH MY!!
Absolutely perfect idle, steady rpms and no engine banging (which is the primary chain slapping due to inconsistent cylinders firing at idle).
Anyway....... I hope this post helps someone else out in the future.

[Bloodhound]

I've got a couple days into this and am just blank.............
'83 GL1100
Idle set at 1100rpm. It's a rough idle and the tach bounces slightly up and down and will rise to 1300 and stumble over some seconds down below 1000 until it dies.
Engine makes loud clanking noises at times which I see reflected in the tach jumping when it happens.
Having to often reset main idle screw as well.
Carbs are sync'd the idle jet needles 3 turns out.
Engine revs without hesitation and sounds strong and good with rpms 1500+
Do I need to pull the carbs and check idle jets?
Any and all help greatly appreciated.

Hi I think you can clean idle circuit, by removing one elbow at a time , remove mixture screw and using carb clean or brake clean squirt down mixture screw hole see if you get a good flow out of the brass discharge nozzel , the air mixture jets can be removed and cleaned in situ as well . , soak manifold rubbers in isopropyl and oil of wintergreen to soften 3 to 4 days .cheers .