Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum - View Single Post

Toddub · 09-09-2010, 11:59 AM

I just picked up a 1999 Foreman 450ES from an ad on Craigslist for $400.

The family I purchased it from were riding it this past weekend when the motor locked up. They seemed to think that the crank bearing had seized up. At any rate they didn't want to put any more money into it and just wanted to get rid of it so they could go buy a new one. By the looks of their house, trucks and other 4 wheelers, they could afford it.

The engine was indeed locked up. I was able to remove the recoil starter and turn the engine over backwards by hand. After pulling the valve cover and sparkplug I could tell the piston was going up and down, but the rocker arms were not moving at all.

I pulled the clutch cover and found that the cam chain had snapped, also destroying the tensioner. The clutch components look to be undamaged. The problem is that I stood the Foreman up on its back end to make accessing the clutch cover easier. I am afraid that small pieces of the plastic tensioner may have slid down a 1/2" hole that leads into the crankcase.

I have 2 questions

Has anyone used a D.I.D. cam chain? they are about 2/3 less expensive than the Honda part.

What, if anything, can I use to flush out the crankcase, or am I going to have to pull the motor and split the cases?

Any input would be appreciated.

09-09-2010, 11:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Toddub Honda Rider Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 26	Cam Chain Snapped / D.I.D. Cam Chain I just picked up a 1999 Foreman 450ES from an ad on Craigslist for $400. The family I purchased it from were riding it this past weekend when the motor locked up. They seemed to think that the crank bearing had seized up. At any rate they didn't want to put any more money into it and just wanted to get rid of it so they could go buy a new one. By the looks of their house, trucks and other 4 wheelers, they could afford it. The engine was indeed locked up. I was able to remove the recoil starter and turn the engine over backwards by hand. After pulling the valve cover and sparkplug I could tell the piston was going up and down, but the rocker arms were not moving at all. I pulled the clutch cover and found that the cam chain had snapped, also destroying the tensioner. The clutch components look to be undamaged. The problem is that I stood the Foreman up on its back end to make accessing the clutch cover easier. I am afraid that small pieces of the plastic tensioner may have slid down a 1/2" hole that leads into the crankcase. I have 2 questions Has anyone used a D.I.D. cam chain? they are about 2/3 less expensive than the Honda part. What, if anything, can I use to flush out the crankcase, or am I going to have to pull the motor and split the cases? Any input would be appreciated.