Whirring sound from 250SX TRANS MAYBE????

[dragonslayr]

Yesterday when I started up my 85 SX I (THOUGHT) I heard a very faint whirring sound coming from SOMEWHERE when I put it in gear. If I just lightly bumped the throttle I could DEFINATELY hear something like the sound of a spinning cable rubbing the inside of a casing (like a malfunctioning speedometer cable maybe). I did ride it long enough to run it through the gears up and down and it shifted normally and then re-listened and could still hear the whirring sound. This A M I could NOT hear the sound but lifted the rear wheels up and put it in first and then reverse and could not get it to make the sound again. Anybody heard anything like this before? I should also mention that when I first heard it I wondered if it could have been the starter somehow and then decided that it had to be in the trans??? Appreciate any input and Thanks, Walt~

[redsox]

could it be the starter not disengaging? bad solenoid?

[dragonslayr]

thanks Redsox... that's what I thought at first and then I noticed that it only did it IN GEAR... and nuthin today?????? I will hopefully get a little time tomorrow to do some other testing.... Thanks again, W~

[Dirtcrasher]

The solenoid needs constant 12V to keep it engaged; That would be a stuck switch, I don't think it's that....

All the solenoid is, is a big relay to deal with the amperage of the battery when starting.

The 250SX has a habit of a whirling sound and sometimes a clunk - from the right cover which is the one way bearing in the clutch.

It ALSO has a bearing on the left side to keep the starter gears driving when you push "start". When those screw up, all your starter gears break.

And that bearing doesn't seem to die even remotely as often as the right side bearing within the centrifugal clutch. Thats where the one-way bearing is.

Honestly, I gotta buy one the next time I order. It doesn't seem to be a common everyday bearing and when HONDA is out of them, that's all folks!!

Last week I learned a 350X transmission bearing is gone. is discontinued/c-ya L8R bye bye!! So I had 6 made for me but it will be months until I see it.
Fortunately, I had one in stock.....

[dragonslayr]

Thank you a bunch Dirt,,, I am gonna see if I can find one immediately,,, maybe TWO cause you are definately making a good point,,,, thanks again, Walt~

[kilabeez0]

Hey dirt crasher where do you live?

[ATCeeya]

I picked up an 86 250sx a couple weeks ago. It was doing the same thing. Sounded like starter was turning or something. I was messing around going from fwd to reverse just cause I've never had a trike with reverse so I was like a little kid going back and forth. I thought maybe I didn't fully disengage from reverse to fwd. It went away and I've since taken the trike apart but hopefully it's not a big deal. I'll know as soon as I get it back together if it's something I'll need to address

[Dirtcrasher]

Hey dirt crasher where do you live?

Middleboro, Massachusetts - I have no riding here at all..

It's 20 miles south of Boston, Mass

[ATCeeya]

So I got mine back together for a bit, front wheel bearings are shot and it sounds horrible, not too sure how I missed that one on the test drive. That, or they just went on me. I dunno, but while I had it together this evening i paid better attention to the noise and it's definately the starter on mine. Someone disconnected the wires, and when you first start it up, or cruise around and slow down basically to a stop, the starter gear starts whining, when you toss some revs or take off again, it stops.

Will a new starter rid my new money pit 250sx of this noise? I'd also like the elec start to be functional again.

[shortline10]

If the starter is turning from the motor and not from the battery that would mean your starter one way bearing is bad or installed backwards .

[atc007]

Not a big proponent of Chinese stuff, but for a rider,,,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Starter-Relay-Solenoid-Fits-Honda-ATC250SX-ATC-250-SX-1985-1986-1987-ATV-NEW-/290910718860?hash=item43bba14b8c:g:MDEAAOSw7ThUiGB o&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-STARTER-HONDA-ATV-ATC-250SX-ES-1985-86-TRX-250-1985-86-PowerStart-18341N-/201663996325?hash=item2ef41c61a5:g:E-YAAOxy0NtTERGo&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTER-CLUTCH-ONE-WAY-BEARING-Fits-HONDA-ATC250ES-ATC250SX-1986-1987-/281844341721?hash=item419f3b5bd9:g:06AAAOSwwbdWNPy x&vxp=mtr

[ATCeeya]

Ok I keep googling this but I'm either not comprehending something or just finding the wrong stuff.

Is this bearing on the clutch side, right side of engine? Behind the clutch? Or left side of engine?
I read symptoms such as kick starter slipping, or no engine braking etc.

I don't have those issues, just the starter sounding like it's engaging at idle but disappearing when I throttle up.

Is this is a big job or not too hard?

[shortline10]

It's located behind the left side cover and attaches to the back side of the flywheel .
Not hard to replace but an air impact to remove the flywheel nut and a flywheel puller will make life much easier .
The one way bearing on the clutch side is for the kick starter and not your symptom .

[ATCeeya]

Alright thanks, I'll order up some parts and get to fixing it.

[dragonslayr]

Hey Atceeya.... did you get your parts?,,,did you get the bearing replaced? How'd it go?.... I bought another 250sx that needed allot of little stuff fixed so I sidelined the one with the same sounding symptoms as yours and was hoping you had some good news for us??? Thanks, D~ PS... What manufacturer and Distributor did you go with and what do you think of the quality???
So I got mine back together for a bit, front wheel bearings are shot and it sounds horrible, not too sure how I missed that one on the test drive. That, or they just went on me. I dunno, but while I had it together this evening i paid better attention to the noise and it's definately the starter on mine. Someone disconnected the wires, and when you first start it up, or cruise around and slow down basically to a stop, the starter gear starts whining, when you toss some revs or take off again, it stops.

Will a new starter rid my new money pit 250sx of this noise? I'd also like the elec start to be functional again.

[ATCeeya]

I have all the parts. New bearing, starter, silenoid, and a tusk flywheel puller. Might order up a gasket too for the side case but was going to see how it came off. I have not had a chance to dig into it yet. The bearing and solenoid just got here today actually, I bought everything off eBay that atc007 linked me to. I'd like to get to it soon, I'll take some pics and see if I can make the job any easier for the next guy. I've never done one and don't have a manual but hopefully it's just self explanatory when I get in there.

[dragonslayr]

Thanks Atceeya .... be lookin forward to seeing your progress,,, maybe you're one of those guys that seem to get by without manuals but I sure have learned that a combination of both the "Honda Service Manual" and the "Clymer" to go along with all the great help here are indispensable! I use both manuals because just when I assume the Factory manual should have it ALL, I discover that THEY assume that I have already worked for their factory for the past fifty years and should already know all the MISSING information!!.. Anyway; good luck, have fun and keep us posted, D~

[ATCeeya]

So I tackled the job today. Drain the oil, I didn't thinking it would be ok but you need to drain it. The job was easy. Just had to tap on the side cover to break it free and wiggle it off the shifter shaft. I use daily an impact to get the bolt off and again when using the flywheel puller tool. The noise has completely gone away and the elec start works again. I do need a new ignition switch as it sort of cuts in and out. But it's all back together, doesn't take very long. About an hour or two depending how fast you work.

[Dirtcrasher]

Learn something new everyday right??!!

Great job buddy!

[ATCeeya]

Yea man for sure, it was easy, I didn't have any books. I just tore into it. You don't need a book for this job, if you had one great but not necessary. Aside from the flywheel puller and torx bit all you need is a few sockets, some parts cleaner and Rtv. It came apart and went back together no problem. Thanks again guys my trike is good to go now.

[Dirtcrasher]

Yea man for sure, it was easy, I didn't have any books. I just tore into it. You don't need a book for this job, if you had one great but not necessary. Aside from the flywheel puller and torx bit all you need is a few sockets, some parts cleaner and Rtv. It came apart and went back together no problem. Thanks again guys my trike is good to go now.

Please DO NOT encourage anyone to avoid using the service manual! :lol:

[ATCeeya]

LoL I hear ya!! Use your service manual everybody;):Bounce:beer

[dragonslayr]

Good goin ATCEEYA!! Thanks for posting your experience and the great pics!! This will help allot of us for sure!!