valve adjustment

[wild bill]

my exhaust valve clearance is supposed to be .006-.008
my left exhaust valve scores out at.010 so is this a large enough difference to make a small tapping noise heard when the bike idles or......... should i be looking elsewhere for the noise. the cam chain and tensioner seem to be in good shape so i dont think it comes from there. does anyone have input.thanks

[MPTonyT]

yes it is enough to tap. Is it the tap your hearing? dunno. I would do a compression test and see if you have a slightly bent valve. I know that will make a tapping noise as well.

[wild bill]

compression test o.k. now im off to get a tester let cha know

[fourwheelerfamily]

Tim at Cycle Outpost checked my valves for about 50 bucks
I don't mess with valves afraid I will screw it up

[wild bill]

o.k. so my compression is at 138 lbs. throttle open, i have a service manual ordered and it wont be here for days. so i was wondering does anyone have the manual and will look up what the intake and exhaust valve clearance is in the book.also i need to know what the camshaft bolts torque is.

[z400250]

yes i have one and will check it out in a lil bit and post up for ya

what year is yours incase there is a diff. (but i don't think there is)

[z400250]

o.k. so my compression is at 138 lbs. throttle open, i have a service manual ordered and it wont be here for days. so i was wondering does anyone have the manual and will look up what the intake and exhaust valve clearance is in the book.also i need to know what the camshaft bolts torque is.

this is for 03-07 ltz 400(same as the kfx)
exhaust-- 0.20-0.30 mm (0.0078-0.0118 in)
intake -- 0.10-0.20 mm (0.0039-0.0078 in)

camshaft cap bolts torque -- 89 inch pounds
the book calls for your comp. to be at 142 lbs

hope that helps!!

[wild bill]

dude you are spectacular ,shim kit gets here tomorrow so maybe this weekends ride isnt out of reach. compression is close enough :bubbrubb2::bubbrubb2: oh its an 06

[MPTonyT]

Compression is good which means you dont have a bent valve. That's a great thing... adjust the valve lash and let us know if the ticking is still there. I normally adjust mine to the larger gap so that way it stays in tolerance longer. I know my valves are always loud no matter how i adjust them.... Also make sure you are at TDC of the combustion stroke when you adjust them if not they will tick for sure and the bike will run like crap. Easiest wat to tell is to put motor to TDC and then rock the crank back and fourth about 1/4 turn. the valves should not move during this process.

[wild bill]

mp tony i just dont get it my valves seem to be within tolerance following z400250 post on clearance. i have went over this thing for two hours and it ticks and i dont know why.like you said with my compression up i dont get it. i hate stuff that TICKS. i am sure it is on tdc perfectly

[MPTonyT]

yeah you can go on the tighter side of things and it will reduce the ticking... If it runs great then you can always sound deaden the valve cover :eek: so you don't hear it..

Also if you have a caliper you can measure the lobes on the cam to ensure that they are in spec.