I have a 2002 rancher 350 4x4 that i bought on craigslist last winter. It was in non running condition and it turns out it was submerged in water and the piston exploded. I did a full rebuild and replaced over half of the bearings since some were still good. It has a new crank and rod also.

When the machine is cold, it sounds perfect but when the oil warms up and thins out it makes a bad and loud rattly sound that seems very unhealthy. I have taken a screwdriver and tried to locate the sound but it is loud all over, it never stands out in one spot. The machine is shifting hard after i put in a clutch kit so i will pull the cover off to fix that. While i am in there i would like ideas of what to check for with the noise.

My grandpa has a 97 fourtrax 300 with very low hours, i put a screw driver on it to compare noises and it makes the same noise but it is much quieter!

I am wondering about the cam bearings since i bought a used cam on ebay and when i got it the bearings would not spin because they were packed with aluminum shavings. I cleaned the bearings really well and oiled them with 3 in 1 oil and they spun around perfectly so i used the cam. I am wondering if there is a problem with the bearings.

I made a video of the noise but it is not really helpful, it didn't turn out very well. The noise can be heard at idle but gets worse with higher rpm's. Is there anything in the clutch area that could make a rattling, loose kind of noise?

Thanks for the help.

here is the video, i am not sure it is good for much though
<embed width="448" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/pla...rulz/100_1234.flv">

 

check your valve clearances. if they are out they will make some pretty bad racket. they will also get louder as the engine warms and the oil thins.


good luck.

 

That is a good idea, i will give it a check.

 

still looking for more tips on what to look at before i put the clutch cover back on and then check the valves.

thanks

 

it was not the valves, i bought a stethoscope and it sounds like it is in the lower end near the recoil start