It's been a-while since I've heard anything about the " mysterious" tick. I sure would like to shut mine up! It has'nt affected the performance at all, it still runs like a scalded dog, but i know that this sound is not right! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]! Here is what i have checked 1)pulled recoil starter and inspected flywheel,bendix gears, starter gear and bushings on case and engine.2)pulled clutch cover and inspected belt, both clutches, weights and springs, buttons and surfaces of the tapers.3)checked valve settings 4}changed counterbalance fluid (even though it was'nt due for a change). I have listened to it through an amplified stethoscope until i'm blue in the face. If anyone solves their ticking problem please share the remedy.

 

The one your hearing is the water/oil pump gears. It is the nature of the beast. The tick in the top of the motor is the decompression ball, that is a problem. However Polaris is standing behind wear caused on the cams.

 

I dont see how the problem could be in the valve train or cam because my uncle's 400 does the same thing. Only if the 2 motors had the same decompression valve.

 

I had the same problems on my trailblazer and it was found out to be the chain had lost some rollers. Yes the sound will come from the engine when it is running. It is really coming from the chain though. Me and a friend even took off the belt cover which is a bitch to handle, and that should tell you i did think it was coming from the motor cause i wouldnt have loosened up 50 bolts to see what was goin on. But please check this out, take it to a dealer to see if your rollers are broken or sit it up on a jack one day and move the back wheels with your hand and look at the chains movement. It is hard to see a broken roller but you could possibly tell by the color. Where the roller is broken it will be more chrome-ish looking, cause the other part of the chain is darkened from dirt. If you look close enough you will also be able to see where the chain is comin off the sprocket slightly. This cause is from the chain either being to tight or loose. I hope this will help.

 

rmx251, You could have bigger problems then that on your uncles 400. Are you sure you are not hearing piston slap. This is a common problem in 400's with a stock piston after they have a good chunk of mileage on them.


2002GRIZZ is also correct if it only does it while moving. It can also be caused by the sprokets not being aligned, whether it be the swingarms loose, broke, sprocket is loose on the axle, etc.

 

<< Are you sure you are not hearing piston slap. This is a common problem in 400's with a stock piston after they have a good chunk of mileage on them. >>



I had that on my '95 Sportsman 400. A piston slap and a rattle from the counter balancer that started at about 1000 miles. It made noises until the day I traded it in after 4000 miles. I will admit that the noises emitted by a used 400 2 stroke are unsettling to new owners or potential buyers.

The 500 cc motor noises are what I am listening to now. Every Polaris 500 that I listen to sounds a little different. And the funny thing is the ones that sound the best in our riding group are the ones that have had clutch problems. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] LOL