XR200R loud engine

[MattC]

I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks

Matt

[Mickey Swanson]

Double check the valves and make sure you are at top dead center on the
compression stroke.
If that's not it,
Pull the head cover off and check for flat or worn spots on the rocker arms.
I just fixed my son's 86 XR250 and that was what the problem was with his.
Sounds like the same symptoms.

Mick

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

[MattC]

Mick,

Thanks for replying. I double checked the valves and according to the
Clymer manual they are set right. Where on the rocker should I look
for wear. Could you feel anything loose once the cover was off? Did
your son ride it like that for a while without any damage? The guy I
bought it from said the noise had been there since he's had it.

Matt

Post by Mickey Swanson
Double check the valves and make sure you are at top dead center on the
compression stroke.
If that's not it,
Pull the head cover off and check for flat or worn spots on the rocker arms.
I just fixed my son's 86 XR250 and that was what the problem was with his.
Sounds like the same symptoms.
Mick

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

[Chris Buckley]

You should probably pull the cam out and check the bearing surfaces for
galling.

[Mickey Swanson]

Look where the rocker arm meets the cam.
and like someone said the cam chain tensioner could also cause this.
Mick

Post by MattC
Mick,
Thanks for replying. I double checked the valves and according to the
Clymer manual they are set right. Where on the rocker should I look
for wear. Could you feel anything loose once the cover was off? Did
your son ride it like that for a while without any damage? The guy I
bought it from said the noise had been there since he's had it.
Matt

Post by Mickey Swanson
Double check the valves and make sure you are at top dead center on the
compression stroke.
If that's not it,
Pull the head cover off and check for flat or worn spots on the rocker arms.
I just fixed my son's 86 XR250 and that was what the problem was with his.
Sounds like the same symptoms.
Mick

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

[Mike W.]

On Sat, 14 Aug 2004 21:47:30 -0500, "Mickey Swanson"

Post by Mickey Swanson
Double check the valves and make sure you are at top dead center on the
compression stroke.
If that's not it,
Pull the head cover off and check for flat or worn spots on the rocker arms.
I just fixed my son's 86 XR250 and that was what the problem was with his.
Sounds like the same symptoms.
Mick

Don't know if that engine has one, but I would think a shot tensioner for
the cam chain could cause this.

Mike


--
Mike W.
96 XR400
74 CZ250 Enduro
99 KZ1000P
BRC, AMA, NETRA, NOHVCC, NRA

"Why do they call it Cobra Grass?"

[Jay C]

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?

XRs have a characteristic "chainy" sound when running. That, and their
exceedingly stealthy exhaust sytems make engine rattle that much more
noticable. Unless you have another bike for reference that doesn't make
this sound, what you are hearing is likely normal.

Jay

[XR650L_Dave]

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

If its a metallic shucka-shucka-shucka that'd be cam chain. It would
get worse as you loosened the tensiioner.
I flogged several XR200 engines, and needed to do cam chains on them
all.

-DDave

[MattC]

Thanks for all the responses. I am pretty sure it's not the cam chain
because when I adjusted it I was able to hear the noise it makes and
it was different from what I am hearing. I pull the cover off and
look for evidence of other problems.

Post by XR650L_Dave
If its a metallic shucka-shucka-shucka that'd be cam chain. It would
get worse as you loosened the tensiioner.
I flogged several XR200 engines, and needed to do cam chains on them
all.
-DDave

[dsc]

Post by XR650L_Dave

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

If its a metallic shucka-shucka-shucka that'd be cam chain. It would
get worse as you loosened the tensiioner.
I flogged several XR200 engines, and needed to do cam chains on them
all.
-DDave

Most XR200s have a chain tension adjuster on the left side of the case
right behind the jug. It has a little rub ber cap over it. You warm
the bike up, let it idle, loosen the lock nut on the adjuster and move
it up and down a bit until the noise goes away (usually). If it is the
timing chain and you can't adjust out the noise... it's time for new
chain/guides/adjuster, etc.

[Jim Waterman]

My first bike was a 1985 XR250. It too made a knocking noise. First thing I
did was take the cylinder head to a mechanic to check the valves and valve
seats, they were fine. Then I reassembled the bike and adjusted the valves,
still had the problem. I then replaced the rockers, the problem came back. I
then adjusted the timing chain to top dead center, problem came back.

The final solution after ripping the motor open about 5 times was to replace
the timing chain tensioner and the timing chain. After alot of use the chain
stretches and slips, which drives off your timing, consequently giving you
knock problems.

My bike has been knock free for over three years since I replaced the timing
chain and tensioner.

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt

[Jim Waterman]

I also ruled out the timing chain as the problem because I spun the chain
and didn't notice a similar noise to what I heard as the bike ran. What you
have to take into account is that a problem with your timing chain is not
going to be heard at the timing chain. The timing chain regulates how the
cam spins, which in turn actuates the rocker arms at the correct times to
lift the intake and exhaust valves. If your timing chain slips, this whole
process is thrown off key, your valves actuate at the incorrect times, and
you get valve knock because pressure builds up in the cylinder, and the
exhaust valves aren't open to allow the pressurized gases to escape.

If you are going to replace the timing chain, it is a must to replace the
tensioner at the same time. After replacing the timing chain and tensioner,
re-aligning the chain to TDC, and readjusting the valves I was good to go.

Post by Jim Waterman
My first bike was a 1985 XR250. It too made a knocking noise. First thing I
did was take the cylinder head to a mechanic to check the valves and valve
seats, they were fine. Then I reassembled the bike and adjusted the valves,
still had the problem. I then replaced the rockers, the problem came back. I
then adjusted the timing chain to top dead center, problem came back.
The final solution after ripping the motor open about 5 times was to replace
the timing chain tensioner and the timing chain. After alot of use the chain
stretches and slips, which drives off your timing, consequently giving you
knock problems.
My bike has been knock free for over three years since I replaced the timing
chain and tensioner.

Post by MattC
I just got an 1988 Honda XR200R as my first dirt bike and I am
noticing a loud ticking noise coming from the engine. I thought it
was the valves so I adjusted them(exhaust was loose and intake was
tight). I also thought it might be the cam chain, but upon loosening
it I notices that it was making a different sound from what I am
hearing. The bike runs great and doesn't smoke. It has had the
decompression setup bypassed, but it doesn't seem to effect the
performance. I am not sure what else could make the noise I am
hearing. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks
Matt