400EX Motor Problems

[Ex_Rider43]

1st is there exhaust seals at the begining of the headers on a 400ex???

because I started my 400 tonight and I shut the motor off because I tighten my valves and I heard a kind of pccchhhhh ( kinda air sound coming out of there..) there was also oil there but its there for a month I think.. I think its the exhaust seals but im not sure.

2nd.. I cant see oil on the dipstick...even if I just changed it!! it does have the 1.85 liters recomended but just before I have to start it there is nothing on the dipstick.. then after 1 minute the dipstick is wet:huh

whats going on???

[nacs400ex]

I would add some more oil. Yes there is copper seals where your exhaust ports are. I know my friends 400ex was making strange noises because his rocker arm flipped around and wasnt on the valve, so it wasnt opening and closing. This was from improper assembly though.

[JOEX]

There should be copper gaskets for the head pipe. Mine didn't have them but I put some in when I took the header off.
Can you feel air coming out?

Checking the oil as per the Honda Owners Manual:
1. Make sure the vehical is on level ground.
2. Start the engine in a well-ventilated area and let it idle for 5 minutes. If the air temperatures is below 10*C (50*F), let the engine idle for an additional 5 minutes (atotal of 10 minutes).
3. Stop the engine.
4. After a few minutes, remove the oil filler cap/dipstick from the oil tank and wipe it clean.
5. Insert the dipstick without screwing it in, then remove the dipstick and check the oil level. The oil level should be between the upper level mark and the lower level mark on the dipstick.
6. If required, add the specified oil into the filler cap hole, up to the upper level mark on the dipstick. Do not over fill.
7. Reinstall the oil filler cap dipstick.

CAUTION:
Running the engine with the improper oil level can cause serious engine damage.

[Ex_Rider43]

thanks I will check the copper seals... is it normal that I can hear air coming out even if the bike is not runing??

[JOEX]

Try this:
Turn the kill switch off
Put your hand near the header where it connects to the motor
Turn the motor over with the start button
Move your hand around the pipes to feel if there is air coming out
If ther is you have an exhaust leak

If not there is another problem. Since you didn't say anything about working on the header I doubt there is a leak. It could be what nacs400ex said about the rocker arm but I don't know. Maybe they are too tight?

Joe