REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 09, 2003 01:37 PM
ADVISE PLEASE
Just got back to work and noticed that bike wasn't firing on all cylinders.Bike is a 00 zx12r with approx 17000 km.At idle a hell of what appeared to be metal to metal sounds down deep.Oil level fine,oil pressure light not on.Shut off for 15 mins,restarted idles fine no noise.Any ideas???
  
|
REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 09, 2003 04:08 PM
Was advised that it may have been cam chain tensioner by dealer.anybody????
|
redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
|
posted July 09, 2003 07:09 PM
Don't have a clue on what's causing the noise or why it does not happen all the time. I would suggest you consider doing the following:
1. Drain the oil and close inspect the oil. You might want to strain it through a coffee filter or at least run a magnet in the oil to see if you pick up any metal shavings. The filter would probably be better, since the magnet won't pick up aluminium shavings.
2. Remove the oil filter and cut it open with some kind of tin snips. Using something like a cutting wheel will just add more metal shavings. After cutting the filter open, spread out the filter's element and inspect it as well.
In either case, if you do find chunks or a large amount of metal shavings, use a magnet and try to determine what kind of metal it is. It might help in finding a possible source and thus locating the problem.
3. Remove the spark plugs and inspect them to determine if they are all actually firing. (I kinda doubt that this will have much to do with what's causing the noise)
4. Since the plugs are out, do a compression check.
5. Being in the "neighborhood" while checking the plugs and compression, you might want to remove the valve cover and inspect the cam chain, cams and valves.
6. Having gone this far, it probably would not hurt to break out the feeler gauge and check the valve clearance.
I just find it hard to believe that if there were something wrong with the cam chain tensioner that it would be "intermittent" when it comes to making noise. I could be very wrong, but with less then 20,000 KM on the bike and no previous problems in this area reported by any of the 12R owners here (or anywhere else that I know of), I'd be looking elsewhere first. "Noises" can easily mean that there are some items either making contact with each other in a manner they are not supposed to, if the should be even touching each other at all.
On the other hand, if you don't want to get you hands dirty and you have an extended warranty, you could just take it to the dealer and have him fix it. That is if you trust their mechanics to actually find AND correct the problem, as well as replace any parts that might have been damaged due to the "problem".
Just a suggestion. If some of the others here have some alternate suggestions, I'd probably follow what they suggest first.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
|
kawachan
Pro
Posts: 1031
|
posted July 09, 2003 08:06 PM
Do what RedElk said ONLY if you are comfortable with your mechanical abilities. Good advice, though!!
____________
RED NINJAS RULE!!
|
MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
|
posted July 10, 2003 07:24 AM
I would drop the oil pan also, and check the inside, I drained the oil in my stock motor and saw a few small pcs of metal, and when I took the pan off, there were only a couple more but there were a few small pebbles, and some silicone, and then my pickup screen was full of clutch fibers and junk! no sounds, this was just an indepth clean... if you heard metal to metal, you need to drop the pan and look around! that will tell you right away if something is grinding or failing.
Mad Mike
____________
200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
|
ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
|
posted July 10, 2003 07:26 AM
Redrider,
what sort of noise - scraping, banging, thudding, or what?
Down low being from the sump area?
____________
If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
 
|
redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
|
posted July 10, 2003 09:02 AM
... and dropping the pan is easier then changing the plugs!
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
|
ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
|
posted July 10, 2003 09:14 AM
Damn right Redelk. WTF was Kawasaki thinking? I thought the old series engines were bad, these are like a bad joke...
Then again, I'm just a "take everything apart" kind of person - you shouldn't need to change your plugs for a LONG time - I heard cars with these plugs are running them to 100,000 miles or something stupid like that.
Maybe there's a special flexible Kawasaki tool for sale at 1000$......
____________
If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
|
REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 10, 2003 09:23 AM
Really strange.Took it home last night and it was missing most of the way home.It cleared up an ran great for the rest of the trip.Had supper and then took it for another ride.Ran great,no missing ,no noises.Took it to redline a couple of times.Brought home and parked for the night.Started it up this a.m. and rode part way to work before it started missing again.Returned home and listened to it idle.Two things...
1) Sounds like an exhaust leak and...
2) Clanking noise top right hand area of cylinder head.
Taking into the shop today,fingers crossed.
|
ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
|
posted July 10, 2003 09:55 AM
Shit this sounds like my post when I was running mine in - let us know the result please!......
____________
If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
|
ScaredyCat
Expert Class
Posts: 201
|
posted July 10, 2003 10:15 AM
Sounds Kleen-Air related, maybe the checkvalve not seating? I'm guessing now.
Hope you get it sorted - let us know what the problem was!
It won't be a major problem - you've got a Kwak ZX12......
____________
If it ain't broke, BREAK IT.
|
REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 10, 2003 11:05 AM
Tell me more about the clean air valve and where its located.
Thanks Mike
|
REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 10, 2003 11:21 AM
Are canadian models equipped with this valve?
|
frEEK
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted July 10, 2003 11:31 AM
yep.
|
REDRIDER
Expert Class
Posts: 120
|
posted July 10, 2003 02:09 PM
Stripped fairing off and dealer mechanic found number three header flange nuts had fallen off and flange was vibrating on header.Does this explain power loss as well? Fouled plug?
|
MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
|
posted July 10, 2003 02:18 PM
that was sure your noise, but I dont think that would be your power loss?
Mad Mike
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC