Scratchy noise and slight knocking sound 250SX

[whyzee]

Ugh.
I seem to have developed an annoying scratching noise and a slight knocking when under load after a weekend of fairly hard riding. Checked valves, they were in spec , compression perfect, plug was showing pretty lean so I am a bit nervous.
Valvetrain was perfectly clean and lubricated, i didn't see any metal flakes , does not smoke ever ,oil level is correct and oil is pretty clean after 3 days of riding.
Ideas?

[honda4h]

timing chain on its way out?

[dougspcs]

timing chain on its way out?

agreed....

[whyzee]

Sweet. Definitely not something I want to get into. Motor for sale ..cheap. runs great but has a noisy timing chain

[ps2fixer]

If your going to sell the engine, insterested in another to replace it?

I have replaced the timing chain in a trx250x quad engine, almost stupid easy to do, chain was $50. Just have to time it correctly when your done and put stuff back together how it came apart. I'm sure there are people in your local area that could do the work properly and not cost too much, I would say job completely done with parts, gaskets etc for under $200.

[BigRedRider85]

yea I def wouldnt part with the originial engine because of something like that...easy fix

[whyzee]

I just do not have the proper tools or experience to attempt it. I know you have to learn somewhere but this is not where i want to start..lol.

[Howdy]

I am sure you could do it with minimal specialty tools. I have done a few of them and I only had a flywheel puller.
Howdy

[honda4h]

i agree i have done 5- 250es big reds with no specialty tools. takes time and a little mechanical know how.

[ps2fixer]

I did my 250x with just standard tools + an impact for the nut on the crank. A screw driver in the gears, or some other method of stopping the engine from turning over should make it possible to do it with out an impact as well. Don't forget you should get a gasket set, and will need some goop for the top end to go back together, lots of options there, so I won't get into that lol.

It really isn't that bad, worse case, your back to where you started, out a couple of hours and $50 for the timing chain + which ever gasket set you get (i get whole engine personally).