ZX-400G cam chain noise after changing oil?

[imthatguy]

Hey guys,

so I recently had my bike serviced and ever since then I can hear the cam chain rattling round in there which is a bit unnerving!

Any idea's why this would have happened? Its a Kawasaki ZX400G which has the same engine as the ZXR400(h1something) model.

What do?

[Akzle]

are you sure?


Cct.

[nodrog]

Post on the internet instead of voicing your concerns with the service people.

[Akzle]

Post on the internet instead of voicing your concerns with the service people.

dont u know? Theres a new kb app that can fix your bike over the interwebs

[imthatguy]

dont u know? Theres a new kb app that can fix your bike over the interwebs

Really? Where do I download it?

No lol, Im aware no one can fix it over the internet and I have gone back to the dealer who said he has no idea why that would have happened.

I just wondered if this has happened to anyone else or if anyone has any theories as to why an oil change would make any difference.

[imthatguy]

are you sure?


Cct.

So you saying it has nothing to do with the oil change and just happened to become an issue when I picked it up?
Im currently at work but will check it when I get home.

[Moise]

All sorts of weird shit seems to happen after oil changes - noisy cam chains, clutch slip, etc.

Best not to change it and buy a new bike every couple of years.

[caspernz]

Post on the internet instead of voicing your concerns with the service people.

Sounds like good logic to me too :clap:

[FJRider]

Hey guys,

so I recently had my bike serviced and ever since then I can hear the cam chain rattling round in there which is a bit unnerving!

Any idea's why this would have happened? Its a Kawasaki ZX400G which has the same engine as the ZXR400(h1something) model.

What do?

Perhaps ... your cam chain auto adjuster is fucked.

I might suggest you get it sorted ... soon.


How long since you changed the cam chain ... ??

[Trade_nancy]

Perhaps ... your cam chain auto adjuster is fucked.

I might suggest you get it sorted ... soon.


How long since you changed the cam chain ... ??
Could be true.
Also..aren't some auto CCT's oil loaded for tension? I don't know if it can or not - but maybe the oil change has affected the operation of the CCT.

[F5 Dave]

Used to be many bikes went through can chain and/or tensioners. Search zxr camchain tensioner and see if it is common and how hard or easy to replace.

[FJRider]

Could be true.
Also..aren't some auto CCT's oil loaded for tension? I don't know if it can or not - but maybe the oil change has affected the operation of the CCT.

And ... old oil is full of GUNK and thick because of this. NEW oil is thinner ...

Funny that ...

But if a "Service" was done .. was not the Cam Chain Adjuster not looked at .. ??? is the Cam chain not on the "Service" list to be "Serviced" ..

[Akzle]

But if a "Service" was done .. was not the Cam Chain Adjuster not looked at .. ??? is the Cam chain not on the "Service" list to be "Serviced" ..

op is is dickheadland. Service is optional when they take money off you..

[FJRider]

op is is dickheadland.

And whinging to the wrong people ...

[F5 Dave]

So what servicing are you guys expecting on an automatic tensioner?

And he's just askin.

[Grumph]

If it is the same engine as the ZXR400, the tensioner is a spring loaded, ratchet locked type. Changing oil will have no effect on it.
If some hamfisted mech has undone it in error to drain oil, it is self adjusting if the crank is rocked back and forward quietly.
I'd have a listen with the old screwdriver stethescope, particularly around the clutch area....

[FJRider]

So what servicing are you guys expecting on an automatic tensioner?

And he's just askin.

Was a manual tensioner EVER fitted to his bike .. ??

[Grumph]

Was a manual tensioner EVER fitted to his bike .. ??

On that motor they're difficult to do cos of the layout. I've looked at doing one previously but left it standard like most (maybe all) of the ZXR400's being raced in NZ. This seems to be a road motor so i'd very much doubt a manual one is fitted....

[jonbuoy]

Mate if you want decent technical advice or at least a reasonably sensible answer to a question remotely related to bikes head over to the bike specific forums. If you want to talk about politics or conspiracy theories KB is the place to be.

http://www.zxrworld.co.uk/zxr400oc/

[sidecar bob]

Apparently the problem is "ever since" it was at a workshop. This sweeping generalisation of time frame is always met by me with the question, "so, was it immediately since, or sometime since"?
It's a term that is extremely over used when people are dealing with vehicle repairers, so how about you don't be a cliche dickhead & try going in & discussing it with the workshop without ever using the term "ever since" because I can assure you that it's hardly likely to help your cause, the cause of having an old bike & trying to blame somebody else for the fact that it's developed an issue that may or may not be the camchain, sometime after they worked on it.

[imthatguy]

Apparently the problem is "ever since" it was at a workshop. This sweeping generalisation of time frame is always met by me with the question, "so, was it immediately since, or sometime since"?
It's a term that is extremely over used when people are dealing with vehicle repairers, so how about you don't be a cliche dickhead & try going in & discussing it with the workshop without ever using the term "ever since" because I can assure you that it's hardly likely to help your cause, the cause of having an old bike & trying to blame somebody else for the fact that it's developed an issue that may or may not be the camchain, sometime after they worked on it.

Hahaha guys guys Im not blaming anyone!! I only included the workshop part because thats when I fist noticed it and the oil was changed during that "service" so I assumed it might have something to do with it. In answer to your question sidecar bob, I noticed it immediately upon leaving the workshop but was in a hurry to get back to work so couldn't take a look at it then. Its entirely possible its been going on for awhile and I haven't noticed, this is just the first time Ive noticed it.

Ill check the chain tensioner at some point tomorrow.

[F5 Dave]

I didn't think it sounded like you were. But a bunch do blame first when it comes to bike shops hence the push back.

[imthatguy]

I didn't think it sounded like you were. But a bunch do blame first when it comes to bike shops hence the push back.

Totally no I understand that, I own a consulting business and its an endless struggle with customers who assume everything is your fault :shifty:

Thanks for ALL the responses guys, fingers crossed its something simple :)

[sidecar bob]

I didn't think it sounded like you were. But a bunch do blame first when it comes to bike shops hence the push back.
Ever Sincing is the first stage of blaming, otherwise the first post would have been worded "sometime after". Personally I saw a blamer straight away.

[ellipsis]

...I'm a ginga and I blame my mother for that...my behaviour seems to be getting worse ever since this National Govt was elected last time round...I blame John Key for making me a worser ginga...I want my money back...

[F5 Dave]

Ever Sincing is the first stage of blaming, otherwise the first post would have been worded "sometime after". Personally I saw a blamer straight away.
Which probably says more about you than him. Ever since that pizza you've been feeling a bit quezzy. It was probably the warm chicken sarnie at lunch, but it's an observation associated with timing. Lots of stuff happens coincidentally when work happens which must happen a lot at your work. Makes old vehicles a pain.

[sidecar bob]

Which probably says more about you than him. Ever since that pizza you've been feeling a bit quezzy. It was probably the warm chicken sarnie at lunch, but it's an observation associated with timing. Lots of stuff happens coincidentally when work happens which must happen a lot at your work. Makes old vehicles a pain.

Yeah, it happens all the fucking time, things like, ever since you did my brake pads my wipers have been noisey, ever since you fitted the radiator the back door wont open from the inside anymore, ever since you fixed my window winder one headlight doesn't work anymore.
Why would you even mention the previous work unless you were trying to make a blame connection?
What it says about me is that im sick & fucking tired of blaming fuckwits that don't know shit from dates that are trying my good nature to the absolute maximum & I should probably sell up & buy a MR Whippy franchise.

[Grumph]

Yeah, it happens all the fucking time, things like, ever since you did my brake pads my wipers have been noisey, ever since you fitted the radiator the back door wont open from the inside anymore, ever since you fixed my window winder one headlight doesn't work anymore.
Why would you even mention the previous work unless you were trying to make a blame connection?
What it says about me is that im sick & fucking tired of blaming fuckwits that don't know shit from dates that are trying my good nature to the absolute maximum & I should probably sell up & buy a MR Whippy franchise.

Mr Whippy hours conflict with motorcycle racing...I've already advised katman to get a lawnmowing franchise. Hours to suit you, don't have to come into contact with the customers if you don't want to, company vehicle has a towbar, plenty of walking to keep/get you fit...

[F5 Dave]

He's got your number.

[imthatguy]

Hi guys, to reiterate, I have no issue with the mechanic who serviced the bike, he's a good bloke, I only included the oil change part as I thought it may have been in some way relevant.

Moving on..

I pulled the fairing off and low and behold I have a manual cam chain tensioner!! Anyway, tightened it up a bit but didn't really make any difference.
Also backed it off until the point where the cam chain REALLY started slapping around in there, so I figure thats probably not the issue?

Incidentally it only happens when the bike / oil is fully warmed up, (leading to my original theory on the oil change, and hence oil viscosity, having something to do with it).
Sort of sounds like the chain is intermittently hitting something, like tick, tick tick, tick, tick tick tick, tick tick.

Could this be a broken tensioner blade? I would have expected it to make a lot of noise (like when the tensioner was undone) if it was broken but could be wrong..

*edit* This post here describes exactly the same issue, with sound!

http://www.kawiforums.com/ninja-650r-er6/222977-engine-ticking-noise-cam-chain-tensioner.html

Long story short he adjusted the idle and the sound went away. Now I know the carbs on my bike need balancing - because of the unbalanced forces being applied to the crank, could this be causing the slapping noise?