250 Engine noise

[BIG Baz]

Hi there, me again!

Not to bore you with the details but I had a 'mare getting my original XR road registered and decided to bite the bullet and buy one already done.

I got an amazing bargain on the weekend, yet another '99 xr250, however this one has a number plate and V5! (and it came with loads of kit!)

I have taken it out on the mountain and noticed a 'metalic' rattle from the top end, at first I thought it was a piece of metal vibrating against the frame or exhaust but on further investigation it sounds like its coming from the top end of the engine - a bit tappet(ish) not bad, but its not present on my other bike.

Is this normal or a common problem on XR's?

The new bike has just had a full service with new oil, I am wondering if this noise is normal with thin oil or a problem in the makeing?

Not too bothered as I have a good engine in the other bike that can be transplanted.

My aim now is to
1. Get the new bike MOT'd
2. Swop the plastics and best bits to make the road legal bike looking and riding good.
3. Either sell the old bike as an off road only or break for spares.

The big question is whether to swop the engine now before the bike goes?

I would love to keep both and have a mobile spares bin, bit cash is too tight at the mo, so one way or another the spare bike has to be shifted!


Regards

Barry

[phil w]

Well check the tappets then and go from there

[BIG Baz]

Well check the tappets then and go from there

LOL Thanks Phil,

As they used to tell me in School, 'The answer is in the question!'.

I shall do the Tappets and see what happens! LOL

Baz

[taggkent]

well if its top end, itl be one of the following;

tappets,
cam shain slapping,
Camshaft bearings,
Decompressor cam flapping about,
or something exotic like a broken auto decompressor or a bent camshaft (highly unlikely)


It sounds like camchain slap from the description, in which its either a new cam chain tensioner or a new cam chain (or both)
the tensioner is £35 from lings honda, the cam chain is also about that from WEMOTO for a DID aftermarket one (SC0409 102)
Camshaft bearings also make that rattle when their worn, and theyl run you about a tenner from any bearing shop.

Id whip the rocker cover off and have a good general inspection if i were you, better nip it in the bud before the problem "snowballs"