loud ticking......

[AK400]

i have a loud ticking sound coming from the engine up around the cylinder on my 03 ex ... i just bought the bike about a week ago, is this sound normal?.......i hope its not a bent valve

[honda300EXtreme]

odds are you just need to adjust your valves

[xc_racer1]

all 400s have a slight ticking noise but if its loud then u just need to get them adjusted.
quick and easy

[project400ex19]

Most likely a valve...If you are mechanically inclined get yourself a 400ex repair manual and you can do it yourself. I enjoy working on my own quad. I think I know mine just about inside and out. Except for inside the engine cases.

[GOTFEAR]

cam chain might need to be replaced

[86 Quad R]

Originally posted by GOTFEAR
cam chain might need to be replaced

either that or the tensioner is taking a DUMP.

an easy way to tell is upon adjusting the valves, remove the right rear rocker cap and take a small screw driver and check for slack in the timing chain.

[REDRIDDER]

yes my 03 did the sae thing so i adjusted the valves nope so i checked my tensioner and their was the problem the spring broke inside it so when i replaced it i also threw in a crf timming chain when i did my rebuild.

[zje400ex]

how much is it for a shop do adjust the valves. or is it something that i could do myself.

[86 Quad R]

you can definately do it yourself. got a manual? if not, get one. you'll be surprised at how much ya can do with one.

the tensioner design on the 400's is not the best in the world. they shoulda re-designed them imo i once pulled one apart and revamped the spring and all but, it didnt last but a couple hours, if that.

[honda300EXtreme]

yea you can definatly adjust your own valves... its very easy and straight forward.... do some searching or buy a manual..


there are a million posts on here about doing them yourself

[AK400]

yeah i know the guy i bought the bike from said he had the tensioner replaced for the timing chain, but he said it was good to go, If it is the timing chain would i beable to tell when i ride it ?

adjusting the valves yourself is reall easy actually. You just need to buy a feeler gauge and your set. I never did mine before and when I went to adjust them it wasnt that complicated. You just need the right tools and your good.

[250x_kyle]

if the ticking stops after its warm completely like no valve chattering then its the cam chain. but the only way to be sure is adjust the valves fire it up and see if its fixed. if the ticking is quieter then it was your valves but if its the same then its the cam chain.