KDXRIDER.NET

I have a real ugly howl from my 92 KDX and I have had it since I got the bike 4 years ago. It sounds like a bad bearing problems like when my rear end in my truck was wrecked, in the engine somewhere and when I put the stethoscope on it I think it's from the bottom. But I know nothing about engines - I have never taken the case off to look at or repair.

This noise has never worsened, and the bike performs fine. It howls in neutral and when idling, and doesn't seem to be worse when revving or in gear.

What kind of things can go wrong? Does the KIPS on my KDX create noise (I have no idea what's behind that KIPS cover)?

I can keep the bike until it blows, sell it as is, or get professional advice. The guru I usually consult has been pretty close-mouthed. I suspect he knows what it is and doesn't want me to ask him to fix it, so he doesn't talk much when I ask him. Maybe he doesn't know.

Any guesses?

Since nobody is answering, I'll blather on. I doubt it would be the KIPS stuff, sounds more like it would be a bearing. I had an old KDX175 that made a racket when the clutch was disengaged. That was the bearing in the hub. Pretty easy fix. Yours is different though. Are you getting metal in your oil? you might try putting a magnetic drain plug in and see what you catch. I spose it could also be your water pump. You might check the condition of that. Especially if you haven't been using de-ionized water in it.

The Howl threw me off... gotta be a bearing... I know it's not the KIPS...

Thanks. I assume there are bearings down where I would hear them with the stethoscope on the bottom of the case. I think it's a big fix?

I would have it looked at. Bottom ends are no fun to tear apart without knowing what to go after. It could be simple or complex.... I would have it diagnosed by a pro.

Does the noise change when you engage the clutch?

Maybe your talking about the well known kdx rattle..Yeah...it's not a howl really...but maybe it's just a matter of definition.

Yeah. Bottom ends are big things.

KanuckKDX, I have no engine bottom end diagnosing experience, but I will try to pass along a little information. If you look at the crankcase, engine covers and transmission diagrams on the http://www.buykawasaki.com website, you can see just what is inside the bottom end. There are several bearings inside the crankcase, such as one on each end of each of the two transmission shafts. If you were to split the crankcase halves, you will need a slide hammer to remove some of the bearings, as they are set into depressions.

A diagnostic btw:

With the LH ('in front of you' with IndaView) cover off you should be able to firmly grasp the flywheel, put pressure in an up/down/front/back direction and feel NO movement.

If you do feel movement...it's a good sign your bearing(s) are toast...or are going to be soon.

Still, I'd like to hear about the clutch.

A bearing in an oil bath is more likely to be just plain sloppy (and thus..the seal, she leaketh) than it is to start howling.

canyncarvr wrote:A diagnostic btw:

With the LH ('in front of you' with IndaView) cover off you should be able to firmly grasp the flywheel, put pressure in an up/down/front/back direction and feel NO movement.

If you do feel movement...it's a good sign your bearing(s) are toast...or are going to be soon.

Still, I'd like to hear about the clutch.

A bearing in an oil bath is more likely to be just plain sloppy (and thus..the seal, she leaketh) than it is to start howling.

Okay here's the plan.

1. Call the guy who just did the bottom end of a KDX and ask him what he thinks the noise is.
2. Pull the left side cover and test the bearings by hand on the flywheel.
3. Get someone intellignet to check my clutch and tell you what he finds.

Thanks. This is helpful.

I want to know if the noise changes with clutch engagement.

Did I miss that part?

Sorry. I forgot that question.

No change with the clutch engaged. I am certain it's engine noise at the bottom.

Thanks! Hoped to save you a lot of time, effort and trouble...

Alas...