'Engine Rattle' advice needed.

[Matt-UK]

Hi all,

Had the TRX MOTed today and she passed with no issues. The tester did say there is an engine rattle, shims were mentioned. Now these bikes seem to have noisey top ends anyway and i dont want to go paying someone to fix it if there is no problem.

Whats its likely to be on a 16,500 mile engine? if i can record a sound clip and put it on facetube could one of you more knowledgeable types have a guess?

[Mincehead]

SOME noise is far better than no noise, the TRX valve stretch issue comes into the equation if the top end is too silent, clearances actually close up.
Possibly cam chain wear/stretch, check your tensioner, maybe lift your cam cover to take a peek at the timing marks on the cam sprockets and the cam lobes too.

[trixynut]

.... but as you mention, the TRX has its own unique soundtrack!

If your tested isnt familiar with how a healthy one sounds, he may think it sounds like its about to blow up.

Does it sound different to you?

[Matt-UK]

If your tested isnt familiar with how a healthy one sounds, he may think it sounds like its about to blow up.

Does it sound different to you?

This was my thought and he did say he hadnt done a TRX in along time. I have only had the bike a few months and its always sounded the same to me. Will try and record it and if the quality is good i will upload it.

[Matt-UK]

Heres a quick video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dieNlj7Za0

[trixynut]

Wouldnt want to put you off getting it checked in case there is summat up.

Only way to tell for sure is to get someone who knows the bike (mechanic or another owner) to have a listen, or stand yours next to another running TRX which has a good motor and compare them.

[phuk72]

checkign the valve clearances isn't actually that hard. It takes longer to strip the bits away (rad, carbs etc for access) than it does to check them.

Reshimming is a bit more involved (taking out cams).

I've no idea what a mecahnic would charge but if you are half way competent iy is a diy job - or bribe a mate who knows what he is doing with beers

FWIW, mine is loud as feck and all in tolerance

[zod]

You could check out my tread http://www.trx850.motomaniac.net/forum/ ... 66&start=0.
Compared to the sound clip I have there, makes your engine sound like a wankel

[Matt-UK]

You could check out my tread http://www.trx850.motomaniac.net/forum/ ... 66&start=0.
Compared to the sound clip I have there, makes your engine sound like a wankel

Would you say i have a "Tick" also, Its hard for me to tell what is ment to be there and whats not! ( still new to this engine).

Think this is gonna be a case of having a look tomorrow and see what i find.

[Mincehead]

Definately cammy, half engine speed noise.It`s well worth taking a look inside the cam cover Matt.
Did you try pulling the clutch in by the way?
It`s low milage for camchain issues but if the bike`s had a hard life before you bought it it`s possible, even a tensioner problem although TRX`s are not known for having those in general.

[Matt-UK]

Did you try pulling the clutch in by the way?

Yeah, no difference.

It`s well worth taking a look inside the cam cover Matt.

This was my plan for weekend, seems a fair amount of digging to get there What needs to be pulled out the way to get a good view of everything, Haynes has the whole engine section covered with engine removed.

[trixynut]

Yep, that sounds wrong.

[ekoja]

That tick noise is quite loud, I what I did was listen to some of the other TRXs on youtube and they were all tickless so too speak.
Take the advice of others on this board and get it looked at.

[Mincehead]

Did you try pulling the clutch in by the way?

Yeah, no difference.

It`s well worth taking a look inside the cam cover Matt.

This was my plan for weekend, seems a fair amount of digging to get there What needs to be pulled out the way to get a good view of everything, Haynes has the whole engine section covered with engine removed.

Drain and remove the radiator, access is much easier then.
Obviously you`ll need to take out the metal coolant stub pipe from the middle right of the head too, M6 cap screw and take heed it may well be corroded in the head!
I had to replace mine when I disturbed it, the rot had weakened it and it holed after I twisted and chisseled it out!
Also watch the small 4/5mm diameter coolant tubes that run through the stock carbs, they often tear at the carb spigot as they have become stuck to the it.
If anything doesn`t appear to want to move be careful.

[Matt-UK]

Drain and remove the radiator, access is much easier then.
Obviously you`ll need to take out the metal coolant stub pipe from the middle right of the head too, M6 cap screw and take heed it may well be corroded in the head!
I had to replace mine when I disturbed it, the rot had weakened it and it holed after I twisted and chisseled it out!
Also watch the small 4/5mm diameter coolant tubes that run through the stock carbs, they often tear at the carb spigot as they have become stuck to the it.
If anything doesn`t appear to want to move be careful.

Cheers Geoff, will have a look tomorrow.