try and find out what is making noise 1 st of all ! if he tells you now always made that noise he should get it fixed on his dime. or hand him title back n get your money and go find another . 3 options that all suck !!! unless noise is something other than adg . good luck

 

Hey John, I have already concluded that, but the situation is greatly affected by my hitting the deer ten minutes after talking to the PO. Bike is quite damaged, but that is an insurance issue and I had insurance. I suggested he compensate me for the repair and he is choking of course. I doubt I'll receive satisfaction on he reimbursing me. But the best option seems to be to work with the dealer. The PO has contacted Honda and explained the noise and the negligent dealers. I have told the dealer where the bike is that they can do the repair of the deer damage only if they get HondaCare to fix the noise. Otherwise, I'll take it to a private mechanic (known to me to be good) and there I'll have a chance to work the repair with the noise issue. Maybe it is just the alternator? The noise disappears with the engine under load (being driven) and above 2000 rpm. Mostly it can be heard at idle when hot and also when the engine is shutoff it can be heard as the engine stops turning.

 

It's possible there was no noise when the 2 Honda dealers looked at it. Especially if no complaint about it. As for warrantee, that's always a tuff one. Often a warrantee company basically will take the stance that the PO had 7 years to work out any issues and the time is up. If it not fixed under warrantee, and you need someone who listens to more GL1800 noises then most, I'd like to hear it.

Also, a tell-tale sign for the older ADG is hearing it to 0 rpms as it's being turned off.

 

Greg, the PO says the engine has made this rattle since new. I doubt that, but believe it has been there for a long time and it sounds familiar to him. He's not so technical and seems to have relied on the dealers to keep the bike properly. When I first started and ran it, no noise. I would not have bought it if it had! Then when I drove it the next day, the noise was there after being driven for an hour. That's when the PO said the noise was normal.

When the rattle is noticeable, it does make it to 0 rpm when the motor is turned off. I haven't heard this noise for myself in person before this bike, but I listened to several on You Tube just to familiarize myself with the ADG noise while I sought to buy a bike. Still, the 07 should have the oil dampened ADG, right? The bike is at Barneys in St. Pete. The Service Mgr said he had to put his ear to the valve cover to hear any noise...I said then the bike wasn't hot. I could hear it from 10 ft away.

 

Still, the 07 should have the oil dampened ADG, right? The bike is at Barneys in St. Pete. The Service Mgr said he had to put his ear to the valve cover to hear any noise...I said then the bike wasn't hot. I could hear it from 10 ft away.

Yes ... Your case should be a darker grey and have the newer style oil dampened ADG.

 

See this post: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/show...ead.php?544881-Urgent-have-any-new-ADGs-failed&p=6556169&viewfull=1#post6556169

I feel your pain: http://gl1800riders.com/forums/showthread.php?544825-Just-Call-Me-DeerSlayer

>Click for a memorial to my dearly departed '02<

 

Thanks, Waldo. I did see your post on the ADG and the other one is me of course. I am worried about the noise, but it is hard to deal with it long distance.

 

Have a you tube account? If not, get one. You can let us hear your noise. Mine did not sound like the one in this video. Mind sounded like a coffee grinder or a diesel engine. I have a friend with an '06 and his sounds like mine did. We have not fixed his yet. He is currently in Palestine and we won't be able to record his until spring. I was lax and did not record mine, but mine was fixed with a new set of alternator bearings. I will see if he will let me go record his bike.

 

noise

As I understand it, the newer style ADG doesn't have anything left in it to make a rattle noise. It's possible that the bearings on the alternator is making noise and it's just as possible that we're talking about any other of a hundred different possible noises. Trying to diagnose this noise on this board is like spitting into the wind...not likely to work well. The P O hasn't provided a recording even. How was it determined where the noise is coming from. Way too many variables and I think, way to quick to jump to the worst case scenario. I think taking a breath and stepping back for a bit is a good idea. There have been a few of the later ADGs replaced, but I don't recall what the symptoms were when they went bad (if they were truly bad).

Richard

 

Richard, Waldo, the bike is in St Pete and I'm in Franklin, NC 600 miles away, so it is hard to get a recording from here. I have the Service Manager working on the noise with HondCare presumably, but time will tell if he does or will do anything. The noise in the vid from Waldo is radical, but there are similar, but quieter sounds. I know it is impossible to diagnose via a forum but it is even harder for me to work the problem long distance. I am hoping to at least gather some info as to other noises these GL1800s make so I can talk somewhat rationally with the dealer.

I have only one shot at HondaCare taking care of this via the PO and the dealer doing the deer repairs. I very much need to not get stuck with a large repair bill on a bike I just bought. So, while I am limited as to providing better info to the group, I truly appreciate the dialogue as it'll prepare me to discuss it with the dealer.

 

Just went through the ADG problem - not fun!

I just got my bike back on the road after having the ADG replaced as well as the clutch basket. One suggestion I would make is to have the dealer's mechanic listen to the alternator bearings with a mechanic's stethoscope. If it is the bearings its a cheap fix. Good luck. Reg

 

As it stands now, the Adjustor has submitted his estimate to Geico Main Office. they need to approve the expenditure. He has alerted me he fully expects to see a supplement expense on this repair - forks, wheel, tire, steering head, ?? Assuming Geico approves the repair, then the Dealer has the choice to get the alternator fixed under the one-month-expired warranty or I will move the bike to a private shop than can work the budget to do the alternator too. I have a buddy going to the dealer tomorrow to discuss with them and I anticipate the Geico expense approval in a day or two.

Keeping my fingers crossed..... Scot

 

Good luck my friend.

 

again

Scot,

I realize that you're in a difficult spot. On this forum there is a disproportionate amount of talk of problems. It's the absolute best place to come when you have one because there isn't better knowledge about the 1800 anywhere that is shared so freely. That doesn't mean that everything that's written is correct though. To my knowledge, the newer style (06 and later) adgs don't make the same noise that the earlier ones did. That's because the newer style uses a viscous damping system rather than the spring system that was used in the earlier ones. As I mentioned earlier (and someone else too), a check of the alternator bearings would be a much cheaper, and I think, more likely source of the problem. However, I'm not even convinced that there is a problem. The 1800 is notorious for noisy injectors and a growl from the rear drive isn't rare either. In fact, an ADG problem with your model year is quite rare. Good luck.

Richard

 

Thanks to all for your comment and ideas. Here's the latest: geico finally approved the deer damage repair. About $6200 for starters. The Svc Mgr says he want 1.5hours to pull the alternator. That's $135 or so to me. Hondacare is being reluctant and the PO has gone missing. I can move the bike to a private shop who believes they can make the alternator repair within the deer damage budget. As I'm so far away and I need to make the whole again quickly, and without risk, I believe the best course is to stay with the dealer, let him pull the alternator and determine the problem. He may get some relief from Hondacare, but ID have to plan for nothing. Still, I think it best to address it now while the bike is apart and hope it is alternator bearings.

Hondacare told the dealer to remove the alternator, run the engine and see if the noise is gone. The dealer does have the special tool to grasp the ADG to see if it turns. I know running the motor sans alternator is not definitive, but at this point, I think that may be my best course of action.

Any comment, advice? I know, pray for me! Scot

 

Last summer I ran a little test on my '08 to see how it would run with the cruise control fuse pulled, which kills the alternator.

When I pulled the fuse and the alternator went off-line the alternator rotor was unloading and the engine RPM increased and there was a change in the sound of the alternator. As the rotor and the drive was unloaded there was some gnashing of gears. Came and went with the fuse being put in and taken out.

So as another possible diagnostic test, run the engine and listen for the gears. Pull the fuse and see if you hear a change.

May help narrow it down.

 

ChgOD, that is an interesting procedure. I'll mention it to the Svc Mgr.

I only have a 4 week window to get the bike back on the road and get to St. Pete to ride it home, so I am going to authorize the dealer today on the deer damage as well as pulling the alternator, to check that out. The alternator is on my own nickel unless HondaCare steps up.

Thanks to all for the help. Scot

 

So the latest report: The seller (still the owner of record) has stepped up to call Honda Warranty and they are indicating they'll stand behind him...but it is a "let's see what the problem is" sort of deal as the warranty expired last month. Still, the seller had the bike in to two shops and both said the bike was perfect. Clearly not as the noise is quite noticeable when the engine is warm and idling.

So, the alternator was removed, engine started and noise disappeared. But the alternator bearings are perfect and are not the problem. With the alternator re-inserted, I am told the noise re-appears and that it is because the load caused by the alternator is related to the rattling noise that is emanating from somewhere under the rear engine cover. So, Honda is pulling the engine to remove the rear cover and investigate.

Remember, this is a 2007 GL1800 with 55,000 miles and so it has the fluid dampened Alternator Driven Gear Assembly. More to come....

 

So the latest report: The seller (still the owner of record) has stepped up to call Honda Warranty and they are indicating they'll stand behind him...but it is a "let's see what the problem is" sort of deal as the warranty expired last month. Still, the seller had the bike in to two shops and both said the bike was perfect. Clearly not as the noise is quite noticeable when the engine is warm and idling.

So, the alternator was removed, engine started and noise disappeared. But the alternator bearings are perfect and are not the problem. With the alternator re-inserted, I am told the noise re-appears and that it is because the load caused by the alternator is related to the rattling noise that is emanating from somewhere under the rear engine cover. So, Honda is pulling the engine to remove the rear cover and investigate.

Remember, this is a 2007 GL1800 with 55,000 miles and so it has the fluid dampened Alternator Driven Gear Assembly. More to come....

I wonder if they tried the ADG test in the service manual for this version. The fluid version does fail, but not very often.

 

Hi TechDude, the Svc Mgr said he did the ADG test using the special tool. He also did the disconnect of the Cruise Control fuse. With Honda Warranty involved, the Svc Mgr says he has an inordinate amount of documentation to provide to them. I am completely at their mercy now and am not happy about it.

 

We, the Board members, really do not have much of a collective experience with the newer type of ADG and how it fails and the early symptoms of such. The Previous Owner (PO) should no longer be the owner of record, but I doubt that would matter one iota to Honda America. That Honda America is giving some good will warranty extension to you or the PO is amazing since it is evidently documented that the bike was fine and dandy at the end of its extended warranty, GOOD FOR YOU :bow: That the PO is still willing to help support your claim is also outstanding, also GOOD FOR YOU :bow:

Do let us know what the final diagnosis is so our collective knowledge will expand.

prs

 

We, the Board members, really do not have much of a collective experience with the newer type of ADG and how it fails and the early symptoms of such. The Previous Owner (PO) should no longer be the owner of record, but I doubt that would matter one iota to Honda America. That Honda America is giving some good will warranty extension to you or the PO is amazing since it is evidently documented that the bike was fine and dandy at the end of its extended warranty, GOOD FOR YOU :bow: That the PO is still willing to help support your claim is also outstanding, also GOOD FOR YOU :bow:

Do let us know what the final diagnosis is so our collective knowledge will expand.

prs

Yes,:agree: I'm surprised they are not trying to blame it on the accident with the deer. Usually Honda will do anything to get out of a warranty claim, much less one that's out of warranty and killed Bambi.:shock:

 

We, the Board members, really do not have much of a collective experience with the newer type of ADG and how it fails and the early symptoms of such. The Previous Owner (PO) should no longer be the owner of record, but I doubt that would matter one iota to Honda America. That Honda America is giving some good will warranty extension to you or the PO is amazing since it is evidently documented that the bike was fine and dandy at the end of its extended warranty, GOOD FOR YOU :bow: That the PO is still willing to help support your claim is also outstanding, also GOOD FOR YOU :bow:

Do let us know what the final diagnosis is so our collective knowledge will expand.

prs

It can matter when it comes to good will warrantee. Sometime a manufacture may feel they do not owe good will to anyone other then the original owner.

 

Re. the good will...that is exactly what Honda is doing for the owner. I have not, and will not transfer the title until this is resolved. So, the seller is still the owner of the bike and his sale of same was conditional on rectifying this noise. So far, Honda Warranty is supporting him. I made a feeble attempt to suggest the noise was from the deer incident, but the dealer said it was not related...bingo, all we needed to go the warranty route. The dealer "heard" the noise the other dealers did not and he is on record as stating the noise is long standing. The seller had taken the bike to two different dealers this summer just to assure it was up to snuff; they lied. Anyway, we shall see what turns out as the engine is now out and the deer damage parts are on order.

I am getting the impression that Honda wants to know what this is as the fluid coupled ADG assembly was supposed to have cured that problem. I have asked for all the parts from both repairs. Honda though, will probably take the ones they pay for.

 

The seller had taken the bike to two different dealers this summer just to assure it was up to snuff; they lied. Anyway, we shall see what turns out as the engine is now out and the deer damage parts are on order.

I am getting the impression that Honda wants to know what this is as the fluid coupled ADG assembly was supposed to have cured that problem. I have asked for all the parts from both repairs. Honda though, will probably take the ones they pay for.

Is it possible the other dealers didn't hear the noise?

As for the newer style ADG "curing the problem," my feelings have always been that Honda changed the design to accommodate higher wattage alternators needed for the 2006 + years, and, in the space allowed, the old mechanical design wouldn't have been suitable for that.