I have a 2005 Honda Rincon i just bought a month ago it had 176 miles on it then and now it has 300 miles on it. I can hear a light strange noise some at idle but is more noticeable with giving a little throttle to it and its not the usual sewing machine sound and knock that all these machines do It sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine around where the exhaust curves up the engine. Its hard to describe the sound it about sounds kinda like light grinding or like bad electrical connection or high pitched clicks. Here is a clip of it I took and it is kinda hard to hear the light noise over the normal rattling knocking sound of the engine. I have heard a lot about cam chain or tentioner problems on these. I have a EFI 08 Rincon and I think I can barely hear this noise on it with my head down listening for it while easing around the yard but nothing like is on the 05. I was just wondering if this sounds like a cam chain problem or nothing to worry about. THANKS!!!
YouTube - 2005 Honda Rincon with 300 miles 013.MP4

 

Here is another clip I took of it farther away from the engine. I can hear the grinding noise in it better than the other clip!
YouTube - 2005 Honda Rincon with 300 miles has grinding noise from engine.

 

It is hard to tell via video sound, but I wonder if you don't have something loose?

Heat shield, head pipe, engine guard or skidplate, motor mount...

 

I glanced around for something loose but I only hear the sound after the engine gets good and hot. Could something loose start making a noise once it gets warm?

 

Header pipes and heat shields on exhaust pipes can do that...

 

im gonna say, 90% that its not internal. your engine is barely broke in, at 300 miles. but.. you still can hear kind of a grinding noise... i guess.. just run it?...

 

Also, do you have a stethoscope? If not, it is worth a few bucks to have one in your garage.

 

I tightened up everthing I saw and it still made the noise. I went friday and dropped it off at the honda dealer. They said it will be about 2-1/2 weeks before they can look at it. i guess I will find out something then!

 

good deal. get back to us on what was wrong with it! i'd like to know

 

Ok guys I will let you know. Hopefully it isn't anything big!