ticking noise - should I be worried?
 

Hi all,

I just purchased a 2009 KLX250s.

It has a pretty loud ticking/vibration from 4200ish - 5500ish rpms. I had the valves checked and they were all in spec. Outside of those rpms it sounds very good. The mechanic said that once he had the top end off, everything in there looks really good.

Should I be worried? I know thumpers can be noisy and vibey.


Another question as well. I live at 5300 feet. It has an FMF exhaust, uni filter and the airbox top has been cut open. It runs very strong, but pops a lot and I think it may be a bit rich. The PO said he put in a 132.5 jet, could that make this set up run rich?

Thanks for your insight!

Perhaps the dreaded malfunctioning cam chain tensioner. You are doomed.

Sounds like camchain tensioner. google Mark Krieger cam chain tensioner :)

addict, is your main jet an OEM Keihin or a DJ main?

The carb is OEM.

It looks like the tensioner is easy to get to, is the aftermarket one pretty much a bolt on piece?

I'm not a great mechanic, but I can do the basic stuff!

I noticed on the Dynojet and Keihin jetting conversion chart that there isn't a 132.5 DJ, so disregard my initial question. The 132.5 will apparently be a Keihin, but it's something you'll need to be aware of if you do a Dynojet kit in the future.

Yeah, the 132.5 sounds pretty big for 5300' elevation. Mine didn't run that big a main jet when it was a 250 with the airbox completely opened and a full Muzzy exhaust at 1700'. I'll bet you can go down a step without issue to see how it responds. I ran a 127.5 even when I went to a 300 cylinder.

The tensioner swap and setup is quite easy and shouldn't give you much heartburn for installation.

OK, thanks for the info!

How many Miles on it ?

8k miles.

These motors aren't noisy.
Agreed re: cam chain tensioner.
The stock unit is poorly designed. Get the Krieger unit. It's inexpensive, well built and easy to install. Cheap insurance to keep your top end healthy and long lasting. Probably the best $35 you can spend.
If it is your cam chain and it continues to rattle, it'll prematurely wear the components which is fairly expensive to repair. If it fails completely, it's extremely expensive.
Here's the link.
Krieger Cam Chain Tensioners

Good luck.

These motors are extremely noisy!

I've got my Krieger cam chain tensioner on the way. Hopefully that helps.

I'm sure I'm running pretty rich. Other than fouling spark plugs, what other issurs can that cause? I've got a ton of loud popping when I let off the throttle. Not just burbling, but loud pops.

Popping on decelerating is a lean condition or a leak in the exhaust. The bike will pop on acceleration or a load when it is way rich.

Mine also popped a lot on deceleration when too rich, likely due to leak into the exhaust system. It's easy to not get the exhaust all sealed up properly.

Other than fouling plugs, you're wasting money on fuel (poor mpg), limiting performance, and likely depositing excessive carbon on piston and head.

Well, the Krieger manual tensioner cured the clacking noise, and was a breeze to install. Now if I could just get the bike cured of its rich condition, and I'll be good to go!

I love this bike, what a blast to ride.