Hi all.

I have a buddy that just bought a used 03 Z400 and he asked me if I could see if I could find any info on a ticking noise at idle.When he bought the bike the muffler bafle was loose and rattling around so he didnt hear the noise then.He was wondering if it is a normal noise or if the valves may need adjusted or something.The bike runs fine.I was wondering if it could be the timming chain?I know it is hard to tell what a noise is without hearing it but I was just wondering if anyone else had a noise at idle.


Thanks in advance
Cly

 

Mine has also had the ticking sound. I removed the Valve cover and checked the Valves, Timing Chain and Chain Tensioner.

I found everything to be well within specs. The only thing I found was the Exhaust Valves on the loose side of their tolerances, so I replaced the shims in hopes of quieting the ticking.

Ticking still continued. Over the last few months it has stopped ticking, then started again. I am now in the belief that the Decompression device located on the Exhaust cam is the culprit. At cranking speed the Exhaust valve is opened slightly. Once the engine starts the Device is retracted and no longer opens a Exhaust valve.

I wonder if anyone else out there has looked into this possibility?

Regardless of this ticking, I am extremely pleased with my Z400!!!!

JDRider

 

remember the Z400 has very big valves and they make more noise when the close, my buddie has a z and his does that too, the valves are fine and everything else is fine, i think it is just a noise that the z makes. i donno tho

 

Thanks for the replies.

Just thought I would give you a quick update.we took it apart and inspecked the valve clearance and the timming chain and gears.what we found was that the timming chain tensioner was all the way out.All the guides looked good so we figureed that the chain was stretched.We ordered a timming chain and installed it and the tensioner is putting tension on the chain now like it should.The bike runs smoother too.Seems early for an 03 to have a timming chain problem but hopefuly it was a fluke and it wont happen again for awhile.


Thanks again......Cly

 

You can put a new timing chain in or run it until it breaks may last a week or a year. Just depends on how u ride it.But when it breaks be prepared to buy some more valves.Had a buddy who this happen it. But we was running a 1.8 mile long moto-x. track.Mine making that ticking sound to, but I finish the race season out and fixing to send my motor off to get some motor work done.

 

well doesnt sounds good but has never happend to my o3 z

 

I' ve heard a few people had this problem. Some people said they changed there gas to an 89 octane and it went away. Worth a try anyway.

 

I havnt researched it yet, but I have seen mention of using a busa manual timing chain tensioner. Just something to look into.

 

Can someone give me the valve settings for these quads.

 

If you are are asking about the Z they are:

IN=.10-.20 mm (.0039-.0079in)
EX=.20-.30 mm (.0079-.0118in)

Cold engine, piston @TDC on the compression stroke. Hope this is what you're looking for.....