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Help ZXR250c - Is my cam chain louder than it should be?

Discussion in 'Kawasaki 250cc In-line 4's' started by Tassie-Moto, Sep 29, 2016.

  1. Tassie-Moto

    Tassie-Moto Member

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    I just put the engine of my ZXR250c back together and it is making a very loud cam chain rattle. I know that these engines are known to have a loud cam chain, but it seems louder that it was before.
    Any information or ideas on how to fix this issue would be greatly appreciated

     
  2. sharky

    sharky Well-Known Member

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    Did you put the cam chain tensioner in and set it properly? Have you taken the rocker cover off and checked the chain for slack?
     
  3. Jackkent

    Jackkent Member

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    Recommend taking rocker cover off and checking slack, also whats oil like in engine? When i bought my zxr oil had sat in it for 2 years and was black making cam chain loud, dropped oil put new stuff in with kero ran it let it sit for a night, ran it again dropped oil put fresh oil in and now it sounds perfect but mine wasnt that loud
     
  4. my67xr

    my67xr Bike Enthusiast Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    The long spring's in the Cam Chain Tensioner also go out of spec, measure the length and compare with the spec's in the manual
     
  5. Tassie-Moto

    Tassie-Moto Member

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    I definitely put the tensioner in and oiled it. I'm not sure if that counts as setting it properly though?
    The tension on the chain seemed fine before I put the engine back in the bike, but I will check the slack to see if it's changed now that the bike has been started.
     
  6. Tassie-Moto

    Tassie-Moto Member

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    The oils is brand new. I drained all the old oil and cleaned out the pan when I had the engine apart.
     
  7. Tassie-Moto

    Tassie-Moto Member

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    Okay, thanks for the advice.
     
  8. sharky

    sharky Well-Known Member

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    Set the tensioner, do you know how to do it? Very important
     
  9. Tassie-Moto

    Tassie-Moto Member

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    Do you mean undoing the locking screw to let the tensioner click into place? If so I've done that.
     
  10. sharky

    sharky Well-Known Member

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    Sounds right,as said above hows the oil & the tensioner? the spring goes out of spec easily. But that bike sounds bad next thing id be doing is take the cam cover off & turn it over by hand at the timing inspection plug there's usually a loose spot in the cam chain after the exhaust stroke & check to see if the chain is hitting the cam cover, put some permanent marker there if theres already is a groove in the cover and run the bike again to see if it rubs off & then you will know if its your offending chain.
     
  11. sharky

    sharky Well-Known Member

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    And when you say you just put the motor back together, what did you do to it?
     

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