Hot Cams Tick?? [Archive] - ATV Riders Forum

jherbie28

01-28-2009, 05:37 PM

how many hours are on your bike? and how far into it did you have the cams installed. did you have a timming chain put in when you did the cams? they tick like crazy when it gets loose and yes they have a tensioner on the side of the jug but they wear out. the timming chain will slap the sides of the guides and the valve cover(VERY annoying):ermm:

dan42684

01-28-2009, 06:39 PM

well i had the quad since 07 and i just had all the work done last week (athena, hot cams, cam chain, valves, drz kit) i dont think the tensioner would be wore out cuz its pretty new.

airmobile101

01-28-2009, 08:06 PM

The cam chain being loose will have a destinctive sound compared to the aftermarket cams ticking. If you havent yet, you need to get a manual cam chain tensioner installed(MCCT). Otherwise, your gonna be changing that cam chain very soon.

dan42684

01-29-2009, 05:39 PM

where would i get a manual cam chain tensioner?

airmobile101

01-29-2009, 07:47 PM

Do a google search for"z400 manual cam chain tensioner"

airmobile101

01-29-2009, 07:49 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/APE-Cam-Chain-Tensioner-DRZ400-LTZ400-CRF450-CRF250-KLX_W0QQitemZ350141524225QQcmdZViewItem

Flynbryan19

01-30-2009, 08:37 AM

The mcct is not neccesary.

Yes you will have to replace the chain every couple of years, but I would do so anyway. Its much more fool proof than the manual and then you don't have to worry about it. Just keep an eye on how many clicks you have left on the adjuster and replace the chain when it runs out. I'd recommend the heavy duty 3/4 DID chain, but other than that let her ride.

dan42684

01-30-2009, 04:48 PM

yeah i put the new cam chain in last week along with all the other parts. and it is the DID chain.

airmobile101

01-30-2009, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by Flynbryan19
The mcct is not neccesary.

Yes you will have to replace the chain every couple of years, but I would do so anyway. Its much more fool proof than the manual and then you don't have to worry about it. Just keep an eye on how many clicks you have left on the adjuster and replace the chain when it runs out. I'd recommend the heavy duty 3/4 DID chain, but other than that let her ride.

I really does depend on how much you ride. I had to install a mcct within 8 months of me installing the D.I.D cam chain. It was down to its last click. Granted, I ride the hell out if my bike and then race it for 2 hours at a time.

Flynbryan19

01-31-2009, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by airmobile101
I really does depend on how much you ride. I had to install a mcct within 8 months of me installing the D.I.D cam chain. It was down to its last click. Granted, I ride the hell out if my bike and then race it for 2 hours at a time.

Very true.

I usually only ride once to twice a month and at that rate it takes me a while to wear out much of anything...... lol

For the average joe I don't think its worth it.

dan42684

01-31-2009, 11:26 AM

i ride evey weekend and race too, so i prolly get a mcct. thanks for the help.

airmobile101

01-31-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally posted by Flynbryan19
Very true.

I usually only ride once to twice a month and at that rate it takes me a while to wear out much of anything...... lol

For the average joe I don't think its worth it.
True that! I know I sure the hell wound't mess with it either if I only rode once every other month or so.

cataway

02-04-2009, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by dan42684
does anybody else have hot cams installed that tick like crazy.
the tick that your hearing is most likely caused by a rivet on the exhaust cam thats hitting the casting ,it will eventually stop ticking as the casting metal will get worn away . you may be able to grind it off on the machine but thats up to you .

cataway

02-04-2009, 05:34 AM

heres a pic of it
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/cataway/Picture062.jpg

airmobile101

02-04-2009, 10:40 AM

Well, Im not gonna doubt the tick with the rivet thing, but my Z400 only had a intake cam and it still ticked.

cataway

02-04-2009, 11:07 AM

OK then, just for you its more like a knocking noise that turns into a tick as the soft metal gets worn off from repeated strikings:)

cataway

02-04-2009, 02:29 PM

more info on this ,i contacted hotcams and was sent this email
on 2/04/09 steve beaver of hotcams said "Allen, thank you for the info. We have not heard this. I have a very good idea of exactly what you are talking about. The length of those are supposed to be checked during the inspection process and once they are passed a certain length they are supposed to be failed for that very reason…..if I am indeed thinking of the same thing you are talking about."
then i find this
http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489760&page=3&highlight=hotcams+rivet

airmobile101

02-04-2009, 04:47 PM

Originally posted by cataway
OK then, just for you its more like a knocking noise that turns into a tick as the soft metal gets worn off from repeated strikings:)
Whatever. I guess the knock to a tick must be a indication that my bike needs a rebuild. Two years with Hotcams and countless races and I have ZERO aluminum shavings. Maybe you got one of those lame cams that had problems ??? The cams tick for the simple fact the cam lobes are more aggressive compared to stock. Oh, its not just a Z400 that does that. My son's 50cc race quad has a race cam in it, guess what that does? It ticks!!!

06dvx400stock

02-04-2009, 04:57 PM

airmobile1 you sound like a pretty knolageable dude could you tell me if you think i could do damage to my motor by running it with the tappet clearance tighter than spec?

airmobile101

02-04-2009, 05:11 PM

Oh no, I don't know d*ck !:blah: Stay online while I try to find my manual.

airmobile101

02-04-2009, 05:32 PM

sent yea a PM

cataway

02-05-2009, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by airmobile101
Whatever. I guess the knock to a tick must be a indication that my bike needs a rebuild. Two years with Hotcams and countless races and I have ZERO aluminum shavings. Maybe you got one of those lame cams that had problems ??? The cams tick for the simple fact the cam lobes are more aggressive compared to stock. Oh, its not just a Z400 that does that. My son's 50cc race quad has a race cam in it, guess what that does? It ticks!!!
is OK your one of the lucky ones
heres a pic of what can happen if the rivets out to far

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/cataway/OldPictures173.jpg
and what to far looks like
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/cataway/OldPictures176.jpg

dan42684

02-05-2009, 05:29 PM

damn thats ****ty why would hot cams put that rivet there like that, and where needs to be ground off?

airmobile101

02-06-2009, 02:04 AM

LOL, naw, Im not one of the lucky ones. I do see what it can do on that exhaust side. If I remember, somewhere they talked about that and that was suppose to be corrected. I do remember when I installed the Hotcams on my DVX, I spun the cams first to make sure it was free from hitting anything. My main concern was the cam sprocket bolts. Who knows??? Ill find out here in a few months with I go thru my rebuild.