400ex running way too hot..

[nakedfrijoles]

hi i just recently installed a new CRT oil filter and completely drained all oil from the quad. I put in some new 20w-50 oil and filled it up to the right level...now when i start the quad, it starts fine but even idling the headers get wayy hot wayy fast, when i rev it up, the headers, or something in that area, begin to smoke... also when i rev up, it makes a knocking noise that ive never heard before...yes i have the oil filter in the right way, and up until this, there have been absolutely no heat problems or knocking sounds..anybody know whats up?:confused:

[abuckley1290]

the smoking might be the clutch cable touching the header (burning rubber) not sure about the knocking tho

[nightmare311]

1st y r u running 20w50 try 10w40. also try going to a colder plug.

[nakedfrijoles]

yes but the cable has always been in the same spot, its not touching at all, and if it IS melting, even tho its not touching the header, then the engine is still running way too hot

[nakedfrijoles]

idk i followed what my manual said?

[nightmare311]

i dont know about anyone eles but i only use 10w40. 20w50 seems to thick.

[abuckley1290]

yah if the oil is to thick it might not be flowing properly causing the engine to get way to hot... try a lighter weight oil

[nakedfrijoles]

hmm..would that have anything to do with the knocking? i mean i have NEVER heard it until now..

[nightmare311]

ya if the motor is not getting the proper oil flow..

[nakedfrijoles]

ok then 1 final question, is there any other reason besides the touching cable, the header would be smoking like that?

[nightmare311]

maybe oil is leaking.

[81 clark racing]

try 10w 40 motor oil dont no y u r runing what u r? ur manual said that? what year 400. they should all be the same havnt changed anything motor wise. also did u spill anything on ur pipe like oil or anything?

[nakedfrijoles]

no all i did was wire brush away some rust and crap on both headers, i wouldnt think that would cause it to smoke, but its a 2002, and my manual says to use 20w-50 or 10w-40.

[81 clark racing]

k try the 10 w40 and 4 the hell of it wash ur pipe with soapy water. cant hurt anyhthing and then after it dries try it again and let me no

[GPracer2500]

I seriously doubt the weight of the oil is causeing any issues. I always run 20w-50 in my climate.

[2004exrider]

A Lot of people run 10w40 in winter and 20w50 in the summer, that part you are fine. Like you said, the manual says its ok to use. The only thing i can think of is that you got a defective oil filter and its not flowing properly, an engine will make a "knocking" sound due to lubrication. Get a cheap OEM one and see if that helps you out any.

Also i see that you said you cleaned the header, did you take it off? If you took it off and didnt replace the crush gaskets then you are more than likely running lean due to an air leak at the connection which means it will run hotter and you can get detonation which has a knocking sound. Let us know what you find out!

Jimmy

[exrider008]

did u have ur hands on the header? cuz if u did then the smoke is oils from ur had that got on the header and r burning off just give it a wile mine took about and hour to stop smoking. i would go to 10w 40 like everyeone said. 20w 50 is way to hevy. when was the last time u adjusted ur vavles...maby thats the sound ur hearing.

[nakedfrijoles]

nope i cleaned them while they were still attached..i just went out and started it up again, it wasnt knocking as bad..it could maybe just be cold, as i havent rode it for a while...and the smoking went away, there was probably some resedue left on them somewhere...mebe the headers are just hotter because i cleaned them off? they were veeeery rusted and gunked up before...im just playing it safe and being more cautious, as i dont want a fried engine...yes valve adjustment is a good idea

[400ex124]

like everyone else said try the 10 40 and if i were you i would run a K&N oil filter, my runs alot cooler since i started running them.

[troutman561]

Are you sure the K&N is any different than the regular OEM one, they look the same just the K&N is red.

[2004exrider]

20W50 is fine, there is OBVIOUSLY another problem. The manual wouldnt say to use it if there was a problem.

Jimmy

[400ex124]

thats exactly what i thought but it seemed to work for me, could just be my mind set hell if i know, but i did a little study on it and alot of people said the same as i did so i guess sumthins different

[nakedfrijoles]

OR i could just be paranoid and just be hearing things, idk when i get my a arms, and able to ride it again, ill be able to see what happens

[Pipeless416]

as far as the viscosity goes, i think you're fine. i always run 10w 40 during the winter and 20w 50 in the summer. i also use the dpr9z during the winter and dpr8z plug during the summer. mine seems to run extremely hot if i use 10w 40 during the summer.. now as far as the smoking from the head pipe, did you use any type of degreaser on it when you cleaned it? its most likely some kind of residue thats burning off and it should go away after a ride.. hope this helps

[nakedfrijoles]

yes the smoking has gone away, thanks for the help/advice!

[400eXr1d3rZ]

Did you put your oil filter in backwards? That can cause it to run hot.

[nakedfrijoles]

nope its in the right way, besides it would prolly do more than just make the engine run hot...

[nakedfrijoles]

ok the knocking and smoking is gone, now i am hearing something else, i turn it on and let it idle...i know it is typical to hear a clicking noise of the cam, valves or whatever, but if i keep listening to it, all of a sudden the clicking gets louder and the engine starts sputtering a bit..it does this pretty consistantly, everytime i shut it off and start it up this happens...??

[2004exrider]

:confused: How much oil did you put in, and are you positive your checking it right? Also, have you done any other mods to it that arent in your signature, intake, exhaust, etc??

PS. What octane gas are you running?

Jimmy

[nakedfrijoles]

Nope its completely stock, it just started making this sound, i havent even touched the engine whatsoever and im running 93 octane, like i said its NEVER had this sound before and ive always ran 93 octane...the oil level is perfectly centered between high and low..

[sburton1]

you clould be jetted way lean

[2004exrider]

You should be on the edge of the "high" line, i always put 2 quarts in mine whenever i change it (the manual says 1.8 but it wont hurt).

Jimmy

[nakedfrijoles]

i dont see how could be too lean as i havent touched anything on the carb, engine...

[nakedfrijoles]

i dont see how i could be too lean as i havent touched anything on the carb, engine...

[GOTFEAR]

ok i run kendal 20-50 summer 10-40 winter and i mix my oil 50-50 with lucus ( i think thats the way you spell it?) heavy duty oil treatment i found that the cylinder lasts way longer , cam and rocker wear you might waest a horspower or two by using this set up only in air cool motors now your knocking nois do it stop when you pull the clutch in? or did you run it befor with the filter off? or you could have a worn rocker. on the heat did you wrap your header with header wrap that will make it run hot holds heat. or your carb is dirty or has water in the carb that will make it run hot good luck

[krt400ex]

put in a k and n filter. the 20w 50 will help the bike run cooler. u may have a falty filter. or it may justt be a coinsidence that ur bike started to run really hot after u changed the oil, but that is not the prob....u get what i mean??

[nakedfrijoles]

yeah, its not really running that hot anymore, the clicking noise is just the only problem im worried about, it HAS to be a coincidence cuz like i said i had absolutely no problems with it before i changed the oil..ive never run it without the filter on...would moisture make that ticking noise? some water might have gotten into the tank/carb while it was sitting in my garage for a few weeks?...and the ticking still continues when i pull the clutch in

[krt400ex]

Originally posted by nakedfrijoles
yeah, its not really running that hot anymore, the clicking noise is just the only problem im worried about, it HAS to be a coincidence cuz like i said i had absolutely no problems with it before i changed the oil..ive never run it without the filter on...would moisture make that ticking noise? some water might have gotten into the tank/carb while it was sitting in my garage for a few weeks?...and the ticking still continues when i pull the clutch in



i would say that it is most likely a loose timing chain or ur valves need adjustment.

water wouldn't do that. it would only make i coough and bobble until it evaporated.

[nakedfrijoles]

yep im in the process of checking my valves...i just got this thing a month ago used, so i dunno if the previous owner ever did anything to the valves, i doubt it, so that is prolly the cause of the ticking noise..im hoping

[Honda4lyphe]

I had the same problem, i went to my loca dealership and asked, they said 20w50 was too thick so i changed to 10w40 and it worked fine.

[nakedfrijoles]

ok my valves are all fine...clicking still continues....10 40 oil is the cure????:ermm:

[krt400ex]

Originally posted by nakedfrijoles
ok my valves are all fine...clicking still continues....10 40 oil is the cure????:ermm:


10 40 is not the cure. try ur timing chain. it could be loose or a little kinked up.

[nakedfrijoles]

great...:(

[krt400ex]

Originally posted by krt400ex
10 40 is not the cure. try ur timing chain. it could be loose or a little kinked up.


does it sound like the top end?/ because it could be a number of things in the bottom end.

[nakedfrijoles]

its definately top end

[exrider008]

just change the oil and filter again but this time use 10w 40...worth a try befor u take ur engine apart.

[nakedfrijoles]

ah my friends came over today to check it out, they said they didnt think it sounded bad at all...but they said the carb prolly needed adjustment so im going to take it to a shop...i dont feel like messing with anything like that just yet...im willing to pay the bill:macho