xt600e chitter

**gavxt600e** · #1 16 Mar 2006

Hi fellas
Question about my 2003 xt600e.
Starting it from cold, theres a rattle (not a loud rattle) coming from what seems like the right rear of the top end as you sit on the bike. This lasts for 15-20 seconds only when the engines cold. I checked valve clearances and they are within spec. I also changed the oil and filter and used new 10-40 oil.
At first i thought it was coming from the right hand side carb as the noise is in that area, but i can't think why it would rattle!
The bike rides fine.
Any ideas
thank for any advise

**Boxer** · #2 18 Mar 2006

See my post "Rattles when cold" - seems like same noise. May be timing chain; the noise on mine was very tricky to pin down. I wondered if it's just slow distribution of oil on these sub zero mornings, as mine seemed to calm down in a recent warmer spell. Let me know if you trace it. It would drive a man nuts.

**Boxer** · #3 31 Mar 2006

Gav - did you ever resolve this. Mine still ratlling

**gavxt600e** · #4 2 Apr 2006

well,it's got better some how. I took in last weekend and stripped the airbox out and checked the carbs and inlet rubbers over as i was convinced it was coming from the right side carb. I found nothin obvious, just cleaned, blew the carbs out and rebuilt them. i was surprised when i started it up the first time and the 'chitter' had all but disappeared. I also fitted a new airfilter, which by the way made a huge difference to the performance as the old one was very dirty and had been causing the bike to spit and miss accelerating at full throttle over 3500rpm. So im not going to delve any deeper

**Boxer** · #5 4 Apr 2006

Thanks, Gav. I've actually pushed my timing chain adjuster forward by one notch. Much better, but I'm not impressed that I should have to do that, and not impressed with such an engine rattle at 12000 miles.

**gavxt600e** · #6 5 Apr 2006

well boxer, i was mistaken in thinkin i had mysteriously cured the problem. went to her yesterday morning and the 'chitter' was still there. so last night took the cam chain tensioner out, moved it forward 1 position and this evening when i tried it there's a vast improvement. Ill try it again in the morning when the engines stone cold again.
cheers man

**Boxer** · #7 7 Apr 2006

Keep me posted. Cheers - a trouble shared is .....etc etc

**winmac** · #8 7 Apr 2006

I don't think it is a good idea to push the can chain adjuster in too far. The camshaft runs on alloy friction bearings, the extra tension may cause premature failure.
That being said thease engines are noisy, kinda the nature of the beast, I sometimes hear the noise you describe I think it comes from the right side carb that only opens at 1/4 throttle.

**Boxer** · #9 8 Apr 2006

I agree with you Winmac. I indexed mine forward one notch (around 1mm) so I don't think the load increased too much. Having said that the noise seems almost as loud as ever so I'll probably take it back out.I thought I'd solved it but apparently not, so any unneccesary tension might as well be avoided.

**billygri77** · #10 25 Apr 2006

It Is Piston Slapping.only Reboring The Cylinder Fix This.but If The Engine Do Not Burn Oil Or Lack Power Leave It As It Is.

***Touring Ted*** · #11 5 Oct 2006

Mine did exactly the same. 2003 model with only 7k on the clock.

Im sure it didnt when i bought it but sounded like this after I stripped the top end but i hear the engine is a chittery old thing anyway.. As it comes from the top right, it maybe the Rev counter drive which is built onto the camshaft.

Iv just done my clearances again as they seem to have already closed up in only 3 weeks, I set them to 0.1 Intake and 1.5 Ex which has removed the tappet noise.

I also removed my MIG exhaust can and went back to the original. I didnt rejet so i think this was leading the bike to be running to lean and causing engine noise.

Illl be selling it and getting a full load legal Lazer Exhaust.

BTW, pushing out your camchain pin is not good fullstop..you will wear the guides out and stretch the chain !! If you think its the tensioner then change the spring for a proper Yam one. The spring tension is critical and obviously wears !