Engine rattle

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:50 pm

Hi, I have this rattle coming from the left upper side of my zxr400 L engine and i think this could be because I let it get low on oil. The rattle doesn't seem to be there when it ticks over but it picks up when I rev it up. The bike starts fine and there seems to be slight power loss. Can anyone help? Ive had a couple of people say it culd be the rings or small end bearing or even drive chain slack, please can anyone say is there anyway i can pinpoint the problem without taking it apart just yet?
Cheers :smt013

Post by **cargo** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:43 pm

Sounds like cam chain to me

And I can't even hear it from here

BigNinjaDave · Post by **BigNinjaDave** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:08 pm

I'm with cargo on this one.

Check / adjust your camchain tensioner before worrying about the chain but I would avoid riding the bike until its sorted.

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 2:44 pm

Hi guys

Do you think that it could be the big ends? cause i have just been told that i might be.?!?!?! :smt013

BigNinjaDave · Post by **BigNinjaDave** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:04 pm

Could be anything really but I would start with the most likely (and cheapest) possibilities first and work from there.

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:59 pm

Ok, whereabouts is the cam chain tensioner inside engine? I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to thesee bikes but I do know about car engines if that helps. Just trying to keep cost to a minimum.

BigNinjaDave · Post by **BigNinjaDave** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:18 pm

Here you go: http://www.zxrworld.co.uk/Manuals/H Model/ZXR400 H Chapter 4.pdf

Look at section 4.9 onwards to check the camchain tensioner.
Note: you will need a vice or something similar to compress the tensioner once you have removed it.

If the tensioner has reached its limit its time to replace the chain.
If you have to replace the chain it is very important that you ensure that all the timing marks are set before removing/installing the chain.

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:30 pm

Ok, cheers, is there anything that would make you think it could be the big ends? I.m not so sure or is it that I can see pound signs arising from something like that? I didn't think it would start and run if it was a big end, no smoke either so i thought that would rule out a ring!

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:41 pm

you said its coming from the upper left so it won't be the big ends? could be shim clearances? worn cam?

BigNinjaDave · Post by **BigNinjaDave** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:44 pm

I have never had to replace the big end (sorry even as a grown man that makes me smile) so I honestly couldn't tell you what noise it makes when it is on its way out.

As long as you get the problem sorted before you ride the bike again it should help avoid any really nasty bills.

Re-reading your first post how low did you let the oil get? May be worth while taking the head off and checking the cams, rocker arms etc for any wear caused by lack of oil.

After that its time to take the engine out to see whats what.

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:52 pm

Couldn't see oil in window so really low! The oil light never came on tho and someone said it does wen it gets really low. Would the cam chain tensioner explain the stalling as well coz it has started to stall wen a few people wanted to listen to it! It looks like a 5 minute job to remove the cam chain tensioner, is that right? How would i tell if the tensioner has had it?

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:58 pm

if the oil is low the engine could get hot and start to stick which would cause the stalling but if its that bad you're lucky its not seized up, get some oil in it before you run it again, if the tensioner is worn soo much the chain may have jumped a sprocket which may cause problems, i would get the cam cover off and have a look inside.

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:03 pm

Have put oil in it since as my initial thought was the tapets making the noise. What signs would i be looking for if i get the rocker cover off?

insurerman · Post by **insurerman** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:04 pm

The person who said it was the big ends said it would cost me the best part of Â£800 to get fixed by the way....

Post by **masterofinsanity** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:20 pm

well i wouldn't take any more advice off them if i was you, take the rocker cover off and see if you can see any pitting on the cam lobes, sounds like a good service is in order, depends how mechanically minded you are? check the valve clearances, and if i were you i'd take the engine out first, it makes it soo much easier to work on.