400ex tapping when cold (loudly)

[Ex'rMike]

My friends 2001 400ex has a fairly loud tapping when it is cold. Once it warms up, the tapping is gone. The valves are adjusted right. Has anyone had a problem like this?

Thanks
Mike

I have not had this happen but. i herd that when it is cold the oil is not every were it needs to be at first but when it warms up it surculates through out the whole moter...

yep, for the first 5-10 seconds it does to me and all of a sudden it stops. I think it might be a valve sticking and the rocker arm tapping it.

[DEAL]

I'm pretty sure your getting a stuck rocker arm , i can't really see it hurting your bike because cars do the same thing. My friends 400ex does the same thing since the day he bought it and its stuff running strong.

[Tommy 17]

i was just out tonight and mine tapped all night should i call the guy and get my valves adjusted?????:huh

[Ex'rMike]

Well my friends bike tapps for a good 5 minutes or so. So I don't think it is lack of oil. But I could be wrong. I might tear into it and check all the specs out. Just to be safe. Let me know if anyone has any other ideas. Thanks

Michael

I just bougt a 2002 400EX and I have the same thing happening. On mine, the tapping only lasts for about 30 seconds right after I first start it but then goes away.

I may try a synthetic oil after my first oil change to see if that helps.

[beerock]

who evers engine keeps tapping ALL DAY, go get your valves fixed...............unless it didnt already stop running..............

[barbwire44]

I would check the valves again. I would also switch brands of oil or try a lower weight oil, or a synthetic. And theres also the possibility that the oil galleries maybe plugged up with junk not letting it circulate properly.

[99'300EX]

mine taps for about 2-3 min after i start it up.....

I am going to say that for the first few seconds on start-up, the tapping may be the colder weather at blame. in warm weather, I can't recall it tapping during startup.For me, It usually lasts for 10-20 seconds and stops. probably not a problem, been doing it since new, and still running as strong as the day I bought it(actually, much stronger with the pipe and jets)

[Winged Warrior]

I got a tap-dancer too.has did it since it was new ,sometimes well after it has been warmed up ,valves are adjusted perfectly!:eek:

If you don't use a sythetic or synthetic blend oil, do you think it will help eliminate the tapping issue?:confused:

[400exdad]

There are a ton of posts on here about oil types. My 400 does not tap at all when cold and used to tap when hot till I switched to synthetic. Plain old Mobil1. My first use, and I'm sold. I'm thinking about putting it in everything now. Rockosmith got 5300 miles on his original 400 bore. It has got to be good for that kind of trail miles. I'd say give it a try.

[Ex'rMike]

That Mobil 1 does not have the proper additives for you clutches. That could be a mistake in the long run. I am a Mobil 1 fan too. I run BelRay EXR 20 50W. Also this weather issue. My friend bike is stored in my basement were is never colder than 60 degrees, so the oil is not extermly cold nor is the engine. The valves are perfect. Something just does not make sense here. Keep the ideas coming. I might tear into it this weekend.
Thanks
EXerMike

[QuadRacer041]

my 400ex does the same thing

[9300EX]

started my 400 today and its tap city for about 20 seconds. The dam thing is only one month old:grr

It's normal, mine, and one of my friends 400ex does it too.

[honda400zx]

i have a 2002 400ex and i got it in augest its done that since the day i bought it i had the valves adjusted an it started to only tap 4 like 5 minutes

Mine taps as well on a cold startup for few sec. and then goes away. After riding awhile and I turn it off and then turn it back on the tapping is still gone. I had my valves adjusted for regular maintenance and this still happens. From what the majority in here is agreeing on is that they will all tap till oil has circulated through on a cold start and then it clears. But Beerock is right, if its constantly tapping then turn it off and bring it in for some adjustments.

[330exracer]

he mine quad is the total oppsite. when cold it doesn't tap and when hot it does. well it might just be becase my rockers and cams are worn but o well im orderin new ones next week.

[Ex'rMike]

This is a little wierd. Mine never taps, hot or cold.
ExerMike

Turn your hearing Aid up! :)
Show me a valved engine that does not tap at first start up.

could some one tell me the valve specs. the hight you need to ajust your valves at? what is it like 0.005 or somthing like that? some one help me out here

[Ex'rMike]

007

I have 2 400EX side by side. One taps like it should for a valved engine the other one taps like a small hammer hitting the ground. The tapping it very rapid so I know it is something with the valves.
ExerMike

This may sound silly but have you verified your clearances?

If i get a chance tomorrow I will get out my service manual and tell you the specs. You could also do a search on this site and find your answer as well.

[stevengates45]

if hes worried about it still & its still under warranty, i would take it by his honda shop & ask them about it.

[Smoker]

My bike started doing it since the temperature dropped, obviously an oil issue and good question for Mickey Dunlap. I would say information about synthetic is 50/50, some people/builders love it and others hate it. Clearances: .005 for exhaust and .004 for the intake. I set mine today, checked clearances three times before putting back together and it still had the erratic tap. It even had fresh honda oil. Who knows... :p

[DISHO1]

it could be the auto decompressor assembly on the cam. some of the xr650 guys remove theirs and claim that removing it reduces noise. they also claim that it revs up a little faster and starts better. the only thing about removing the decompressor is you need to weld the oil holes up that lube the decompressor to keep oil pressure to the other oil holes in the cam lobes. some of the reground cams for the 400ex have the decompressor removed and if someone that has a cam like this does it make the tapping noise?