Quad Trouble...advice?

Therrin · 10th February 2008, 02:39 PM

Here's a video I took last night of the sound my quad is making.

The video, itself, is useless, it's the sound that's the key part.

Making a clicking noise when it starts. Has significant power loss, and when it happened on the trail I was sure it was overheating as well.

Had changed the oil and filter a couple weeks before the incident, haven't ridden it since. Oil is at propper level and still looks good.

Any ideas?

arborjockey · 10th February 2008, 04:51 PM

Well buddy ol pal most of the time I would like to know year make and model but by the sound of things it doesn't matter. Find out if the noise is from the top(cylinder and above) or the bottom (cylinder and bellow) Its hard to tell from the sound. Take the valve covers of and look at the vavle train with a flash light,

Therrin · 10th February 2008, 05:25 PM

How stupid of me! I completly forgot!

It's a 1998 Honda TRX 300 EX.

It's coming from the top end...just checked.

arborjockey · 10th February 2008, 06:45 PM

Thats o.k. well take the valve covers off and look inside at the valve train. See if anything looks broken or to loose. You can do a quick valve lash check by putting it in 3rd or 4th gear, put a pen in the s-plug hole and slowly roll the bike forward until yhe piston is at Top Dead Center. You may have to rock it back and forth a couple of times. When at T.D.C. try to rattle the valve rocker arm. It should have just enough play to slip a matchbook cover through it . Or check you owners manual for correct valve lash. good luck

newguy18 · 10th February 2008, 06:49 PM

how could i be so dumb.my dad who has done engines about 20 years longer than me thinks it might just be a blown head gasket.

arborjockey · 10th February 2008, 07:03 PM

Could be a lot of things

Therrin · 10th February 2008, 07:05 PM

AJ, luckily, I believe that under a cover plate on the left hand side, there is a fitting that I can put a socket on and turn it manually. I'll likely try later tonight or in the morning, and keep this updated.

I appreciate the help so far!

newguy18 · 10th February 2008, 07:06 PM

my dad just saw the video.He says without a doubt its the timing chain tensioners.there is one on each side of the timeing chain that hold tension on it and if one broke it would cause that rattle and the chain will jump ahead a tooth or two and that will cause your power loss.i strongly advise you get a repair guide because those are a pita.

arborjockey · 10th February 2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

my dad just saw the video.He says without a doubt its the timing chain tensioners.there is one on each side of the timeing chain that hold tension on it and if one broke it would cause that rattle and the chain will jump ahead a tooth or two and that will cause your power loss.i strongly advise you get a repair guide because those are a pita.

This model will probably have a single, non adjustable, ratcheting tensioner in the front of the motor .The rear will be a plastic guide. but I'm with new guy if you wont to doit yourself buy a manual. Keep us posted

newguy18 · 10th February 2008, 07:18 PM

regardless if it broke it would still cause the rattle and allow the chain to skip a tooth and lose power.

newguy18 · 10th February 2008, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

How stupid of me! I completly forgot!

It's a 1998 Honda TRX 300 EX.

It's coming from the top end...just checked.

is it sporttrax ex or fourtrax ex?i need to know so i can get an online repair guide.

Therrin · 10th February 2008, 07:37 PM

LoL, if you can get a repair guide online that'd be awesome. I'd have to say that I don't know! Horrible isn't it??

Let me go see if I can figure it out!

It's a Fourtrax.

newguy18 · 14th February 2008, 06:42 PM

did you get it apart yet?

Therrin · 14th February 2008, 11:34 PM

Not yet, but in the last week I HAVE:

ran 4" water pipe between two water tanks and a well, and a house
ran 1 1/4" conduit between some of the above
ran 3/4" conduit between all of the above

Just the run from the house to the well is 600+ Feet. ugh... yesterday I was covered in Red Hot Blue Glue from head to toe... damn wind!

Also did 4 quotes, some land clearing, felled a spar, pruned some elms, oh! and started back into college!

Haven't had time for the quad at the moment, soon though! It's sitting in pieces about 2 feet outside of my front door... which, is sort of red-neck. But oh well. I should've said "trailer door"

I'll let you know as soon as i take the top end covers off and check stuff out, thx Bill =)

newguy18 · 15th February 2008, 07:13 AM

Just curious.i gotta get some head gasket spray and finish putting mine togther.spent 2 hours polishing the piston and rings and honing the cylinder.it'll run.

newguy18 · 15th February 2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

Just curious.i gotta get some head gasket spray and finish putting mine togther.spent 2 hours polishing the piston and rings and honing the cylinder.it'll run.

its done just gotta make time to get some good racing oil and a new air filter and plug.great compresion.

Therrin · 7th May 2008, 10:16 PM

My mechanic called.

Apparently 2 rockers went soft and chewed up a cam.

I'm having him use "performance" replacements that have hard surfacing. I certainly don't want to be having it back in the shop anytime soon for the same problem.... ugh.

Looking forward to hitting the mountains again.

10th February 2008, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Quad Trouble...advice? Here's a video I took last night of the sound my quad is making. The video, itself, is useless, it's the sound that's the key part. Making a clicking noise when it starts. Has significant power loss, and when it happened on the trail I was sure it was overheating as well. Had changed the oil and filter a couple weeks before the incident, haven't ridden it since. Oil is at propper level and still looks good. Any ideas? __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

10th February 2008, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
arborjockey Fly'n Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hawaii. ohio. oregon. california Posts: 118	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? Well buddy ol pal most of the time I would like to know year make and model but by the sound of things it doesn't matter. Find out if the noise is from the top(cylinder and above) or the bottom (cylinder and bellow) Its hard to tell from the sound. Take the valve covers of and look at the vavle train with a flash light,

10th February 2008, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? How stupid of me! I completly forgot! It's a 1998 Honda TRX 300 EX. It's coming from the top end...just checked. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

10th February 2008, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
arborjockey Fly'n Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hawaii. ohio. oregon. california Posts: 118	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? Thats o.k. well take the valve covers off and look inside at the valve train. See if anything looks broken or to loose. You can do a quick valve lash check by putting it in 3rd or 4th gear, put a pen in the s-plug hole and slowly roll the bike forward until yhe piston is at Top Dead Center. You may have to rock it back and forth a couple of times. When at T.D.C. try to rattle the valve rocker arm. It should have just enough play to slip a matchbook cover through it . Or check you owners manual for correct valve lash. good luck

10th February 2008, 06:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? how could i be so dumb.my dad who has done engines about 20 years longer than me thinks it might just be a blown head gasket. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

10th February 2008, 07:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
arborjockey Fly'n Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hawaii. ohio. oregon. california Posts: 118	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? Could be a lot of things

10th February 2008, 07:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? AJ, luckily, I believe that under a cover plate on the left hand side, there is a fitting that I can put a socket on and turn it manually. I'll likely try later tonight or in the morning, and keep this updated. I appreciate the help so far! __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

10th February 2008, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? my dad just saw the video.He says without a doubt its the timing chain tensioners.there is one on each side of the timeing chain that hold tension on it and if one broke it would cause that rattle and the chain will jump ahead a tooth or two and that will cause your power loss.i strongly advise you get a repair guide because those are a pita. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

10th February 2008, 07:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? regardless if it broke it would still cause the rattle and allow the chain to skip a tooth and lose power. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

10th February 2008, 07:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? LoL, if you can get a repair guide online that'd be awesome. I'd have to say that I don't know! Horrible isn't it?? Let me go see if I can figure it out! It's a Fourtrax. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

14th February 2008, 06:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? did you get it apart yet? __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

14th February 2008, 11:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? Not yet, but in the last week I HAVE: ran 4" water pipe between two water tanks and a well, and a house ran 1 1/4" conduit between some of the above ran 3/4" conduit between all of the above Just the run from the house to the well is 600+ Feet. ugh... yesterday I was covered in Red Hot Blue Glue from head to toe... damn wind! Also did 4 quotes, some land clearing, felled a spar, pruned some elms, oh! and started back into college! Haven't had time for the quad at the moment, soon though! It's sitting in pieces about 2 feet outside of my front door... which, is sort of red-neck. But oh well. I should've said "trailer door" I'll let you know as soon as i take the top end covers off and check stuff out, thx Bill =)

15th February 2008, 07:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,185	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? Just curious.i gotta get some head gasket spray and finish putting mine togther.spent 2 hours polishing the piston and rings and honing the cylinder.it'll run. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

7th May 2008, 10:16 PM	#17 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,112	Re: Quad Trouble...advice? My mechanic called. Apparently 2 rockers went soft and chewed up a cam. I'm having him use "performance" replacements that have hard surfacing. I certainly don't want to be having it back in the shop anytime soon for the same problem.... ugh. Looking forward to hitting the mountains again. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703