Knackered Engine?

[sv_rider1990]

Right on the way back from Cornwall today about half way home my engine started knocking in first gear like progressing off of a roundabout. It has gradually got worse and it accelerates slower and generally feels a ruff ride..... it has done 21,000 miles and i have missed the 4000 mile service that suzuki suggest so it hasnt had a service since i bought it at 15,481 miles on the clock... .I know it stupid not to have it serviced when its reccomended but surely 2,000 miles wont make that muchb of a deal???


Hope someone can help me out as its my only form of transport.

[yorkie_chris]

Daft question, has it got oil in?



(seems to be a common problem with powerranger ... er i mean full faired bikes)

[ASM-Forever]

As a general rule if you hear dodgy noises from the engine then pull over, don't carry on riding it!

Why didn't you service it? It doesn't matter if you go a little bit over under, but a few thousand miles is a bit much.

I'm no mechanic but it really doesn't sound like good news from your description. From your post i assume you're not mechanically minded, therefore get a mechanic/someone knowledgeable to give it a look over. I wouldn't recommend riding it either......

[Tim in Belgium]

Are you sure it's not a knackered chain, that can cause all sorts of low speed jerkery.

[Marksv]

i take it you didnt check the valve clearances when you got the bike then as they are meant to be changed at 15k. ( if needed that is) also check the oil as above ;)
cheers mark.

[sv_rider1990]

Checked the oil before went to cornwall was fine when i got back this afternoon... It started about half way home a clunky sort of noise in fisrt gear..... it is slow accelerating and is alot louder. I am not mechanically minded and am taking it up to wear i bought it from to see what they suggest. as far as im aware its never had a new chain as when i got it was 15,000 odd miles. I totally forgot i know its extremely stupid but i dont know the fist thing and thought its running fine so dont see the problem. Anyone got any ideas at all?

[ASM-Forever]

TBH it think its hard enough to make an 'armchair diagnosis' at the best of times, but you really need to go into more detail for the benefit of those who might be able to help you.(Not me) :)

[sv_rider1990]

I've got it booked in for a service on tuesday AM in the mean time me and my dad are going to flush out the oil becuase after putting in some oil additive that is ment to help with wear n tear we looked at the haynes and its not good for it at all as its to thick so thats being pumped out and then we are going to check the chain etc.

[yorkie_chris]

I've got it booked in for a service on tuesday AM in the mean time me and my dad are going to flush out the oil becuase after putting in some oil additive that is ment to help with wear n tear we looked at the haynes and its not good for it at all as its to thick so thats being pumped out and then we are going to check the chain etc.

What was it? You're really not doing the engine or your pocket any favours dumping crap into the oil rather than proper maintenence.

[Blue_SV650S]

As long as the oil was at the correct level, I can't see your lack of oil change directly causing your problems. Obviously not a good idea, but its not like modern oils suddenly stop working at 4001 miles ;)

I also think you are wasting your money 'flushing' the system, then taking it for a service!! I don't think it simply needs a service and then will be magically ok I am afraid :(

From how you describe it, I'd say you have lost a tooth (or two) on one of the gears ... I take it the noise goes/diminishes when you are running in 2nd and above?

[sv_rider1990]

Right done what i siad id do put decent castrol oil in it and tightened the chain and everything seems smooth again and hopefully the service will help even more with oil filter change and they'll check any other things.

Its aaaaaalll good now feels really smooth and free again.

[Alpinestarhero]

Keep an eye on the oil levels, and beware of the problem returning

Matt

[Viney]

Checked the oil before went to cornwall was fine when i got back this afternoon... It started about half way home a clunky sort of noise in fisrt gear..... it is slow accelerating and is alot louder. I am not mechanically minded and am taking it up to wear i bought it from to see what they suggest. as far as im aware its never had a new chain as when i got it was 15,000 odd miles. I totally forgot i know its extremely stupid but i dont know the fist thing and thought its running fine so dont see the problem. Anyone got any ideas at all?

Hmmm, sounds much like a worn front sprocket and chain.

What happens is the front sprocket teeth wear in the shape of a claw (For want of a better description) and this then catch's the chain as it rolsl off the spocket, giving you a clunking sound.
In reality, a chains life expectacny is only about 15k max unless you use an oiler of somekind. A good way to check (As told by a few on here). Go to the rear spocket and pull the chain off the sprocket at the 3 o'clock position (If looking at the sprocket). if you see teeth then the chain is done for. To check the fornt sprocket, get yourself an 8mm socket and take the sprocket cover off and have a look at that. If the teeth look curly, then that will be your problem. You should change the chani and sprockets as a kit.

At least change the oil EVRY 4000 miles. All the other stuff you can get away with changing as and when is needed. Oil is the bikes blood remember that.

[Al_Sweetman]

A good way to check (As told by a few on here). Go to the rear spocket and pull the chain off the sprocket at the 3 o'clock position (If looking at the sprocket). if you see teeth then the chain is done for.

Doesn't that just mean that the chain needs adjusting to make it tighter? I hope so, anyway, otherwise I've been tightening a buggered chain!

[jambo]

Doesn't that just mean that the chain needs adjusting to make it tighter? I hope so, anyway, otherwise I've been tightening a buggered chain!

Al_Sweetman: The tension in the chain will be carried by the very top and bottom links / teeth on the rear sprocket. Tensioning it or not should make no diffrence at the back of the sprocket.

sv_rider1990: I'd say it sounds like a chain and / or sprocket issue rather than an oil one. See above advice and make sure the chain is correctly tensioned and lubricated, and that there are no tight links.

[sv_rider1990]

My oils forever being topped up it drinks the stuff i at least do it every 2 weeks its going to be alright its been fine since i adjusted the chain and the service will tell me more if theres any bad news

[Wideboy]

My oils forever being topped up it drinks the stuff i at least do it every 2 weeks its going to be alright its been fine since i adjusted the chain and the service will tell me more if theres any bad news

:shaking: don't like the sound of that, I've never needed to top up the oil in between services

[Frank]

:shaking: don't like the sound of that, I've never needed to top up the oil in between services
you only go out when the temp hits 90 ,and only do 2000 miles a yr

[yorkie_chris]

:shaking: don't like the sound of that, I've never needed to top up the oil in between services

Mine uses it when you start ragging it to death, it's not unusual.

[sv_rider1990]

I do use it on motorways alot to be fair and am at 70 quite alot but its all about how it was run in when new etc so each bike is different

[Wideboy]

well mines only at 10k so i can't really say much :oops: