just bought a rancher it has apx 85 miles and 12 hours on it. I noticed the first day that at steady speeds and throtle i can hear a rattle that seems to be coming from the top of the engine. thought it was a heat sheild loose but they are tight. i noitce this most running down the road of flat ground. noise goes away with alittle throtle increase or decrease. tried 93 otane fuel with no luck. anyone else here this on yours? i have not taken it to dealer for 1st sevice and valve adjustment yet.
thanks Seth

 

I have the same noise on our 04 rancher AT. I may be all wet, but I think it is the exhaust flow. Mine is running extremely rich so I figured that had a lot to do with it. I did notice that after cleaning the air filter and using K&N filter oil instead of honda's, the noise wasn't as bad and it had a little extra snort. I've heard other people say they have the same noise,but haven't heard for sure what it is and why it is.

 

thanks lazer3 glad to hear its not just mine
please anyone esle let me know if you have seen this

 

I hear something as well, but have found nothing and it is running great with about 1900 miles. So I haven't worried about it and the techs don't seem concerned.

 

Yeah, I have an 04 AT and it has 200 mi. on it, and the first 150 I had the same type noise like a tick on the top part of the engine.
But I changed to a syn oil and noise has gone away. Plus the engine really doesn't get loosend up until you have a couple hundred
on her. I've really noticed mine run better the last 25 miles. I would like to find an aftermarket exhaust but don't know what would
be best for the AT. It's a good machine just wish the seat was softer! Have a good one!

 

I had the noise also. I had my valves adjusted on its first service and it seemed a little better for a while. But it was still there. I just had my ECM changed on my 04 AT and it runs WAY better than before and the noise is gone also. I have no idea if the tech adjusted the valves or what.
Ranchersam, The seat isn't going to get any softer. However I do have a suggestion. Perfex long travel suspension. I had my ECM changed and installed the Perfex system on the same day and I would have swore I bought a diff. quad. The Perfex system really helps the ride.

 

Just bought a Rancher AT and have about 40 miles on it now. I also noticed the noise coming rom the engine and it sounded like it was a rattle, tick, or clack coming from the top of the engine. I also thought something was loose and eventually took it back to the dealer who assured me nothing was wrong and I was hearing normal engine noises. He told me that it was resonance. An echo-type noise created by the restrictive emmisions systems.

I aslo asked about warranty issues, and he told me that the 05 model I bought should be up to speed as far as warranty issues are concerned. Which means to me that the ecu shouldnt be an issue in this one.

So if changing the ecm, or using synthetic oil eliminated the noise, then the dealer is obviously full of crap with his resonance theory.

So, those of you who posted earlier about his noise, whats the status of it now? It really bugs me and worries me. Im glad I am not the only one that noticed it.

Did it get better?

 

Still ratlles a little, Make sure you take it in before your 6 month warranty is up to get looked at if it stills worry you then.

 

So while Im outside polishing the new Rancher, the neighbors son rides up on a new Suzuki Eiger????
I take it for a ride and start having rancher doubts, what got me headed in this direction in the First place. His atv was whisper quiet, no rattles etc, alll you could hear was alittle noise form the exhaust. And it seemed a whole lot smoother ride. Was a steered in the wrong Direction???

 

Sure you were. But your Rancher can switch between auto and ESP, the eiger can't. You have a digital display, the eiger doesn't. The rancher looks good, the eiger is but ugly.

Trust me, I have doubts about my AT all the time. But just yesterday a friend with a 2004 Polaris was complaining about having trouble with his starter not working all the time. That is the time that I appreciate my Honda. You will get use to the noise eventually. If not, trade it. But get a Vinson, not the eiger.