KTM 350 EXC-F Valve Clearance Check

[@michaelnelson3469]

I'm doing my first valve clearance check today. I need to you send Pete over to clean my engine. I will expect him here around 10AM. Thanks!

[@jsboening]

Picking up my 16' KTM 350 exc-f today! Your video will come in handy. Thank you.

[@blancolirio]

Best trail bike EVER!

[@danblekeberg2470]

This is the best video of valve check I have seen. Thank you !

[@salisburyplain998]

Thanks for taking the time to share this ,looking forward to the adjusting Vid as I have Freeride and EXC which are more or less the same so will save me a bucket load of cash :)

[@blancolirio]

Google "e-ticket Wee Beasty OMRA valve adjust" for an excellent written dissertation on the subject. Mine may take awhile before needing adjustment.

[@jetmuchacho]

Thanks for the video I checked mine today. Unfortunately the cams are shot and the valves were at min spec of .10 and .13mm. Brand new bike only ran for 3 months and sitting at 50 hours. Now it's out of warranty and has probably suffered oil starvation which means a full rebuild. Don't wait to check those valve clearances!

[@blancolirio]

TRX250r08 yikes!

[@crxdan]

just got my exc350, im not even going to bother checking the valves until it has 50 hours on it. good to know u have that many miles on urs without any issues. I plan on putting about 3-5k a year on mine.

[@theimaginarygarage]

Thanks Juan - watching this in prep for the same task on my Husqvarna FE350.

[@theimaginarygarage]

Well, 2017-2018 Husqvarna FE350s and KTM EXC-F 350s appear to be a bit different in their TDC markings to your bike. It’s done via alignment marks on the cam gears. Even so, some great advice in this video really helped me out. Saved a good bit of money taking on the job myself so I’m very happy with that. My valves were just within spec but it’s only got 17 hours on it so far. Thanks again Juan!

[@billybobbubbawubba9457]

I had to turn the crankshaft from the end because of the Rekluse auto clutch. Thanks for the video.

[@indianaprepper2832]

Best video I've found thanks man!!!!

[@coarsegoldkid]

I would like to add that the 2017-2018 350 EXC-F has a different frame than earlier model years. Space to slide a feeler gauge under the cam on the left intake is almost non-existent. A better designed feeler gauge would make this a whole lot less frustrating. Gonna have to make one the next time I check my clearances.

[@coarsegoldkid]

It's doable it just takes a lot of frustrating time. You have to stretch all the cables and wire harnessing up and out of the way, position your tongue just right indicating personal displeasure at this task, contort your fingers holding on to the slippery thin feeler blade and speak nicely about the design team at KTM. Shortly I'll fabricate the special gauge tool. Maybe the next time will be easier.

[@eastcruisers]

Looks a good video. Although I'm avoiding being 'gun ho' and cracking on doing this just in case i dont know how to put it back together! Annoyingly the hours has stopped working so not sure if 99hr is a true reflection of what the bikes actually done!

[@TheRealPossu]

Thanks for the video, found it useful when working on my new to me 2015 350 EXC-F for the first time as I don't yet have the workshop or owners manual, couple of points worth noting: 1. If you remove the black hex plug on the left hand side of the engine, you can rotate the crank using a socket, extension & T-Bar, don't use a ratchet, T-Bar provides more control. 2. The cam chain tensioner is located on the front of the engine which made me think that the crank rotated clockwise if viewed from the left as the cam chain is always tensioned on the upwards travel. Was surprised to see that although the cams rotate backwards, the crank actually rotates counter clockwise when viewed from the left, there must be an intermediate gear between the end of the crank and the lower cam chain sprocket to achieve this, so rotate the engine counter clockwise to find TDC.

[@TheRealPossu]

Forgot to add that if continually rotate the crank the wrong way, you may put the cam timing out as the cam chain tensioner is hydraulically activated using engine oil, so only provides tension when the engine's running. Incorrect cam timing can be expensive if you start the engine........

[@TheRealPossu]

This thread is useful in establishing TDC on the 350 EXC-F. www.ktmforum.co.uk/off-road-enduro/1209721-tdc-2017-exc-f.html

[@butotoli]

thanks man. i know now that i need a valve adjusting job now.. 300 hours on mine, and i will buy a shim kit. thanks . do you know the shim diameter, or a ggod place to buy a kit? Thanks in advance

[@PatKittle]

No matter what I've tried, I can only get my KTM 350 EXC-F to run on one cylinder.

[@wontrespond3263]

Because it’s a four stroke.

[@bck2808]

because you haven't put a heavy load on it yet! lol Cylinder deactivation is on until you hit 10k rpm

[@BodybuilderBuilds]

Whooooooooosh!

[@gcostanza2115]

great video, thanks for posting.

[@blancolirio]

So after doing all this, and reusing the stock valve cover gasket....I still have oil leaking past the gasket. Any sealant ideas/preferences before I buy a new valve cover gasket?

[@eladgabay8543]

great vids! and yeah, open the cams cover and put a little bit of rtv silicon on the cams cover gasket. i do it a lot in my wr250f. can you post a video how to change the shims? my father got exc350f 2013 and i wany to check and chnage shims if i need to. thank again!

[@blancolirio]

will do, thanks!

[@JonathanVee]

When I did mine I followed E-Tickets guide on KTMTalk and used some RTV silicone (black) and I haven't had any oil leak past the gasket. You won't need to replace yours, you just needed some silicone.

[@blancolirio]

RTV Silicon black-got it will do. That E-ticket puts out some great info. Thanks.

[@cindygliterwhip]

When your next doing a valve check could you make a video on removing the shims ect? Thanks

[@Dinoxt12]

Good Video, but man the heck with these new engines, they are a pain in the Ass .

[@bradl45]

Have you removed any smog stuff, if yes did it change mpg?? Any changes like fuel controller etc? Big thanks

[@davewyatt1468]

can I ask what oil do you run, and do you use valve saver in your fuel? my 16 350excf has almost 50hrs on it so this video will be my go to. thanks

[@blancolirio]

Dave Wyatt Motrex, no fuel additives.

[@andybj4091]

I see on a recent reply, that you now have 8500 miles on the bike. What issues, if any, have you had with the bike?

[@blancolirio]

Zero!

[@MotardTonyMKE]

@@blancolirio How many hours do you have now? I am sitting at 280 hours no issues on my 2013 350 EXC-F. It mainly sits in supermoto mode, but I'm thinking I should probably check the valves.

[@zzxx33mh]

there is one 2014 on sale with adv goodies like yours..what do u think about the service..is it by hours or km.. and what is maximum h/km to check between..?!@

[@Nitroracer2332]

How would you go on changing the spark plug? Looks really awkward tow access!

[@MrHackproductions]

do you need to take out the sparkplug or can u leave it in if u only gonna check the valves. maybe u need a rly long socket or someting

[@matejfaganeli3911]

About the spark plug, you just pull it out? Mine is so hard sealed, I'm not sure if I'd breake it.

[@blancolirio]

give it a little twist.

[@jsboening]

May I ask what app you're using on your iPad to log your maintenance? Thanks in advance.

[@blancolirio]

just 'Notes'

[@bbb129]

Umm you only checked 2 valves...??

[@Keessert]

Nice video, thank you

[@tareksaba1ify]

at what mileage did it finally need to get adjustment?

[@blancolirio]

still no change after 8500 miles.

[@wontrespond3263]

We’ll explained, sir.

[@elsuarze7]

good job

[@jimmyandersson5135]

i bought a 525 EXC last week.. i regret it after looking at this video xD i cant do this shit

[@skinnybricks]

Still own it? I've never done this either but I'm gonna try. It can't be that hard! Stop if you're not sure and get a friend to help. :D

[@AndrewLane-pm2ro]

I think I'll be staying with my 2-stroke.

[@atc2239]

nice

[@blancolirio]

Thanks!

[@DaveBibbs]

This .guy sounds like the dude from the song “Sunscreen”

[@klaatu2]

That's BS how much effort is required to just "check" the valves and outrageous what is involved in adjusting the valves. My air cooled 500cc is trivial in comparison

[@cindygliterwhip]

I think your due a check ????!!! Haha

[@blancolirio]

+cindyglitter whip I think you're right!!!

[@cindygliterwhip]

+blancolirio I've pulled everything off but I can't get the feeler gauge in to check the clearances never mind chance them

[@blancolirio]

+cindyglitter whip- bend/modify that gauge and get her in there...

[@cindygliterwhip]

+blancolirio I've done that. The space to get them in is terrible, I've got the same bike but mines 2014/15 6 days edition maybe the engine is different ?

[@blancolirio]

+cindyglitter whip Hmmmm, dunno.