400ex tick (video inside)

[FastBoss302]

First post! (Woot woot!). Anyways. I've been talking to a guy about buying he 400ex bored out to a 426. He has stage 2 hot cams in it, which I've heard caused a tick. Before driving all the way up there I wanted to see if this is a normal tick. http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/arthur_brown4/400ex2-20120907-013444.mp4

Also is it a good deal?This is what he has done to it among other things. Weisco 426 Big Bore Kit -Stage 2 Cam -Stage 2 Jets -Pro Armor front bumper -White Brothers E4 series pipe -Extended Swing arm -New Sprag clutch and housing all for 1000? The only thing is the rear fenders a little bent. http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/arthur_brown4/Screenshot_2012-09-07-01-48-26.png

Any help would be much appreciated as I plan on meeting him Sunday. Once again thanks in advance for the help!

If the first video link didn't work out this one should. <a href=http://s1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/arthur_brown4/?action=view&current=400ex2-20120907-013444.mp4 target=_blank><img src=http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1064.photobucket.com/albums/u365/arthur_brown4/400ex2-20120907-013444.mp4 border=0 alt=></a>

[dxcody]

**********WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!***********


Well, that tick is pretty loud, but i wouldnt say its abnormal.

A lot of your tick depends on how the valves are adjusted.

If they are a little loose, that will give you a really loud tick.

If they are pretty tight, they wont tick quite as bad.

I say it sounds normal to me.

Is it a good deal?

Hell yeah!

You have the 3 most important things, that i go by.

1. It runs! (big plus!)
2. Its pretty much all there!
3. Its got some aftermarkets.

Not to burst the guys bubble, but thats not an extended swingarm. That appears to be a stock swingarm.

First thing i will beg you to do, if you buy is, FLIP THOSE FRONT RIMS BACK AROUND! lol

Drives me nuts. Sorry.

But i say go for it man!

Welcome to the club!

[FastBoss302]

Haha, I hope to become pretty active, this is a great forum! Thanks for the fast response and the info! Defiantly plan on flipping them back! So the ticks not a big deal or anything?

[Pittsburgh400ex]

You can adjust the valves if ya want but you'll never get rid of it completely. Mine has always been loud, jsut the nature of that cam.

[FastBoss302]

Originally posted by Pittsburgh400ex
You can adjust the valves if ya want but you'll never get rid of it completely. Mine has always been loud, jsut the nature of that cam. much appreciated. Thanks!

[xtreme762]

Sounds like valves to me. The swingarm is a stock swingarm. It's not extended..

[AtvKid4Eva]

also if the cam chain tensioner is bad or the cam shain is stretched it will make a ticking/clanking sound.

[FastBoss302]

So would you say it'd be safe to drive?

[Pittsburgh400ex]

If it was the camchain you would know it even if you know nothing about motors. Mine went about 3 years ago, to me sounded like bolts in a coffee can rattling around. I wouldn't be afraid to beat the heck out of it. Those things are bullets even when built.

[on the rocks]

that's about what mine sounded like when the cam gear was in the process of falling off due to the bots letting loose.

but as stated before the stage 2 does have a tick to it, defiantly want to check out the rocks and all that hoonanny.

[CJM]

Even as bad as mine sounds with the stage 2 hotcam it dont sound like that.

1. The valves are likely out of adjustment
2. I would check over the cam tensioner, cam chain, guides, etc.

[FastBoss302]

Can someone post a link to how to adjust the valves/what I'll need?

[CJM]

How to adjust valves (http://www.atvriders.com/articles/valveadjustment400ex.html)

Parts possibly needed to redo valve train:
1. Cam chain. You can use one off an 02 CRF450r. Its thicker and stronger, cheaper and fits.

2. Possibly cam chain tensioner. Remove the tensioner. Remove the little screw on the back of it, take a small flathead and turn the spring and release. It doesnt release quick and strong its worn and needs replacement.

3. Cam chain guides. When you have it all apart, inspect for wear and replace if needed. NOTE: one of the guides goes all the way into the clutch area. If this needs to be replaced you will need to take the right side cover off and need a gasket for that side.

Id check the valves first and adjust them as well as check the tensioner. I would also remove the rocker cover and check the tension on the chain-its loose try a new tensioner, that dont help replace it. You need to drain the oil to do this. ALSO: it is IMPERATIVE you go easy on the rocker cover bolts. They only need to be torqued to 7 foot pounds! Do not over tighten them or they can strip or snap!

[FastBoss302]

Originally posted by CJM
How to adjust valves (http://www.atvriders.com/articles/valveadjustment400ex.html)

Parts possibly needed to redo valve train:
1. Cam chain. You can use one off an 02 CRF450r. Its thicker and stronger, cheaper and fits.

2. Possibly cam chain tensioner. Remove the tensioner. Remove the little screw on the back of it, take a small flathead and turn the spring and release. It doesnt release quick and strong its worn and needs replacement.

3. Cam chain guides. When you have it all apart, inspect for wear and replace if needed. NOTE: one of the guides goes all the way into the clutch area. If this needs to be replaced you will need to take the right side cover off and need a gasket for that side.

Id check the valves first and adjust them as well as check the tensioner. I would also remove the rocker cover and check the tension on the chain-its loose try a new tensioner, that dont help replace it. You need to drain the oil to do this. ALSO: it is IMPERATIVE you go easy on the rocker cover bolts. They only need to be torqued to 7 foot pounds! Do not over tighten them or they can strip or snap! Thank you!

[CJM]

welcome

[FastBoss302]

One more question for you guys. Can I get by with pump gas with the 426 bore?

[CJM]

Depends on the compression, but usually yes. Anything 11:1 and under is fine on 93 octane.

Just make sure you get it right, approx 168-175 main and 42 pilot.

[FastBoss302]

Much appreciated.

[FastBoss302]

So, ended up buying it! Went to ride in the back of my neighborhood, shut it off and when I tried to start it again it wouldn't start. Got it home and adjusted the valves. Still wasn't starting. I'm pretty sure the spark plugs fouled. My buddy stuck a screw driver in the spark plug cover and it shocked him so that's why I think it's the spark plug. Didn't have an 18mm thin wall and no store around had one so I had to break down and order the tool. If its not starting after that do you have any suggestions on what it could be? (The guy did say it jumped timing before but it drove fine when I got home and when I went to look at it.)

[CJM]

Jumped time..that aint good.

If anything Id crack it open and replace the cam chain, tensioner and inspect the cam and cam sprocket.

The chain is loose and no good, more than likely if it truly did jump time.

Does the engine make a glug glug noise when trying to crank over? Kinda like the engine isnt turning over properly?

[FastBoss302]

Yeah, this probably isn't the best word to describe it but it kind of sounds groggy.

[CJM]

Originally posted by FastBoss302
Yeah, this probably isn't the best word to describe it but it kind of sounds groggy.

Then it probably has jumped time. Sorry to say you will have to replace the cam chain and tensioner as I described earlier and maybe the chain guides.

Before you do much, drain the oil. Then take off the rocker cover and try and pull up on the chain. Should be SUPER tight and not move. It moves thats the issue.

[FastBoss302]

Alright, do you have a link to how to change the cam chain/tensioner. I have the manual on my phone but it's a little hard to follow.

[CJM]

Sorry donthave that one.

Pretty simple tho.
1. Drain oil
2. Remove rocker cover
3. Remove clutch side (right side) case
4. Set engine to top dead center (like you did to adjust valves)
5. Remove cam sprocket and cam
6. Remove chain.
7. Reinstall chain and cam sprocket. Line up cam sprocket tick marks with head like so "_ | _"
8. Put everything back together
9. Cam sprocket bolts get blue loctite
10. Once everythings together readjust vavles.

Thats the basic gist of it if I remember right.

Your gonna need a side cover gasket and possibly chain guides (they aint cheap btw).

[FastBoss302]

Sounds awesome :cuss: haha, thanks again.

[CJM]

Yea its not a fun task really.

Inspect the clutch while your in there, might as well.

[FastBoss302]

Sounds good!

[FastBoss302]

Took the spark plug out and there was a little bit of oil on it what does that mean?

[CJM]

Could be your valve seals are worn out. They will let oil leak down into the cylinder and cause smoke at start up that goes away.

Could also be the cylinders worn enough to get oil past the rings.

[FastBoss302]

Its not smoking when I start it. What would I have to do if the cylinder's worn?

[CJM]

Is it smoking at all? Coulda just been a fluke.

[FastBoss302]

Nope, not one bit. And if this matters it was a very very thin layer. That's what I'm hoping for!

[FastBoss302]

Got the spark plug changed and its still not wanting to start. It's turning over just not starting. Could this be carb issues?

[CJM]

If the timings off it wont start no matter what you do.

Gotta check the chain, tensioner, etc.

[FastBoss302]

Originally posted by CJM
If the timings off it wont start no matter what you do.

Gotta check the chain, tensioner, etc.
Would it still turn over if that was it? Thanks for sticking with me through the mechanically disinclined questions lol!

[CJM]

Yes, it will still turn over but wont fire properly.

[Thumpin440ex]

Tick sounds normal. Heres what a stg 3 sounds like. This is after i just adjusted the valves.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv9UfGlZN1M



John