I have a 1988 300 TRX (fourtrax) with MANY hours/miles on it, but has always ran great for the most part. A little after I changed the oil it just started making a pinging/whistling noise coming from the motor and now doesn't run too well. I checked the oil and noticed a white, milky substance all over the dipstick and in the crankcase. It can't be water, because I did not drive through any and it is air cooled. Could I have gas getting into the oil somewhere??

Any ideas would be great. Thank You.

 

I don't think that it would be gas. I does not take much for water to get in a motor. I would drain the oil and start fresh with some new. Let us know how it goes. Hey welcome to the forums.

 

I can't believe I did this, but I put the oil filter in backwards!! I guess that after doing oil and filter changes for 20 years on this thing, I just wan't paying attention since I had only 5 minutes to do it and had done it so many times before. I am an IDIOT!!

Luckily I only ran it for about 5 minutes this way. I still have great compression, but I have a loud ticking/knocking sound coming from the top end of the engine. Did I wreck the valves or maybe the timing chain?? What should I look for if I pull off the head and take a look?? Thanks for any advice.

 

If it is knocking really bad, i would adjust the valves and check the timing chain. What kind of oil do you use. Just hope that the motor does not need to be rebuilt.

 

I forgot, welcome to the forums.

 

Thanks for your thoughts. I use Castro 10w 40 oil. I'll take a look at the valves and chain this weekend and let you know how it went. Do you know what the valve clearance specs for this would be?? 1988 300 TRX Fourtrax. Thanks.

 

You could call your local dealer and ask what the clearance would be.

 

mine was making a knocking noise, and loosing power so i took the head off and couldn't find anything wrong, but luckily i had a brand new complete top end to put in it (found in a junkyard in a sealed box.) i put it on there and she runs great now. hope you don't have to do the same. welcome to the forums.

 

Just wanted to tell you to pull cam cover most likely back cam journal worn.

 

Don't be too hard on yourself there rodchuck, we've all had our moments. lol