My 04 rancher 350 makes a ticking/knocking sound coming from the bottom end. You can hear it mostly on the ride side of the engine and only after it warms up. A local atv mechanic said it could be the timing chain or "piston slap" after hearing it over the phone. I'm thinking maybe a rod bearing because its coming from the bottom end. Haven't got a chance to bring it to that guy to get it worked on, so any help would be appreciated [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

my 2004 and my 2005 ranchers had a tingy rattle sound when idling, not from the top by the valves, definitly from the lower part of the engine. My friend's 2003 also had that sound too, a normal sound as far as i'm concerned, 3 different machines making the same sound. Nothing to worry about, but i dont know if you are describing the same sound though, i would have to hear it to tell you for sure. Remember, most of these engines are set up a little loose for emissions and fuel mileage reasons (less friction=less power loss in engine, more to the wheels)

also, remember that these engines have the camshaft on the right-side too, its mounted in the engine and not up in the head like the old 300's. it has lifters and pushrods that can tick and rattle too, that might be what you're hearing.

 

the motor's are noisy, mine sounds like its gonna blow up, prolly doesn't help it almost sits at the rev limiter pulling through mud pits and snow banks. i have never seen a guy blow up a rancher motor, yet

 

Thanks for the advice, I'll still probably get it checked out, just to be on the safe side

 

I also have an 04 rancher 350 and it is alittle noisy on the right side but sounds pretty sweet compared to my 05 500 foreman(sold)..they are the noisyest honda engine I've ever herd.

 

The guy at the shop adjusted the valves, said it could either be that or "piston slap". I'll probably get it back today and he said try it out and if that doesn't solve it, then just bring it back. What is "piston slap"? and is it expensive to fix? Any help is appreciated.

 

piston slap is caused when the piston rocks back and forth in the cylinder, most likely excessive piston-to-bore clearance. Short-skirt pistons on race quads are known to make this noise a lot. Luckily, on the rancher, cylinder and piston removal is not that hard and does NOT require complete engine removal. a couple hours probably for someone fairly proficient at it.

 

Thanks for info, been wondering what he was talking about