Hi all

After reading many of posts on the best source for cheaper oil, I decided to try Wallyworld's Rotella full synthetic. When I got there, they only had 15-40 for diesel or 5-40 full synthetic. Since it's usually around 10 deg celcius in the morning here with very few days above 25deg, I chose the 5-40. When I first start the bike, I hear a few seconds of what I think is valve noise before it gets smooth. Does anyone else have this issue. Should I go back to 10-40. Any hints or tips will be appreciated.

I have about 14000 kms on the 06 zx14. The filter was changed as well. The correct amount of oil is in the bike.

Sounds like you're hearing the cam chain tensioner pumping up with oil pressure when you start. As long as the noise goes away fairly quickly it won't do any damage. If you get sick of hearing the noise, you could put an APE manual tensioner in there.

Mad

Hollow, rapid, tapping/rattle noise on startup? CCT. Mine does it for several seconds. Rotella seems to help or eliminate the situation though, not make it worse. I am going to install an APE soon anyway just cuz I have it laying around.

5W-40 is all they make in synthetic AFAIK.

Should circulate faster on cold starts because it's thinner when cold. Same viscosity as Kawi recommended 40 weight oil at operating temp.

* Last updated by: Rook on 5/15/2012 @ 8:38 PM *

Sounds like you're hearing the cam chain tensioner pumping up with oil pressure when you start. As long as the noise goes away fairly quickly it won't do any damage. If you get sick of hearing the noise, you could put an APE manual tensioner in there.

After 25,000 miles I stopped using the Rotella Syn. Didnt like the sound/feel of the Rotella anymore. Noticed a bit more start up noise too, so went with a APE at about 5,000 miles.
Obviously its good oil as the inside of my motor is spotless and wear is minimal.
Tried Silkolene and really liked it but the cost made Me gag a little.
Am trying Lucas Semi Synthetic 10/40w currently. They support racing and so far so good at just 1500 miles. Clearest oil I have ever put in bike!

Obviously its good oil as the inside of my motor is spotless and wear is minimal.

That's a big +1!

You can eat off the inside of your engine after 30,000 miles, the Rotella is designed to hold all the garbage that goes through a diesel engine in suspension and the additive package is first rate compared to garden variety commercial motor oils.

I've got around 70,000 miles on Rotella products, it's all I run in my five bikes and the internals are spotless.

OK, that's the good news, the bad news is this stuff is like water at low temperatures.... which is great for cold starts as you get instant oil pressure but the ZX-14 automatic cam chain tensioner is a leaky device and will bleed off the oil if you don't start the bike for a few days. Bottom line is, it's noisy for a few seconds on first start of the day.

I recently switched to the 15W40 Rotella for both my VTX-1300C and my ZX-14 and I noticed less cam chain rattle on first start.

As mentioned, the cam chain rattle is normal on the 14 and doesn't hurt anything, it's just annoying.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 5/16/2012 @ 11:28 AM *

Thanks all

As long as I'm not doing any damage, I'm ok with the brief noise. It only lasts for a few seconds and goes away completely. The bike only has 8500 miles on it but I have no way of knowing how well the previous owner cared for it.

Colin

The CCT automatically sets itself by spring tension. If the chain stretches, the tensioner would push out more. There are click stops to prevent it from getting pushed back in. at certain times in the chains life, you may have more play before the stop. That is when the cam chain will be louder. Other times, like right after the CCT self adjusts, ther is less play. The point is not every CCT will be as noisey as the next and if yours is noisey now, it may quit doe=wn some later. 30K here and mine has always done it. 20 seconds on a cold start. Maybe a minute almost on the first start of the season. Just needs to get oiled up.

I get maybe three seconds if it's sat a few days.

Bugged me a lot so thats why I went with the APE Manual adjuster. Have had to adjust it a couple of times in about 20k miles.

I've never heard of one failing so I don't worry about it too much. Mines made the start up racket for the past six years so I'm kinda used to it by now. I've noticed it rattles a lot less right after the oil change when the oil is still high in viscosity.

Skiffman, how do you know when to adjust it?

^^the timing chain would start to make the rattle noise if/when the chain stretched enough to require adjustment.

Cool, Thanks.

I bet the only reason I have had to adjust is I am chicken to overadjust. Would wear guides prematurely.