Saw this posted on the Ontario VFR email list. If you are a "lister" you've seen this and the result .
Just wondering what the VFRD members would have suggested as a check into for the troubles listed for this 6th gen bike:
"Almost a month ago, my 02 VFR was shutting down while riding (suddenly and
without any warnings). Couple of days later it was releasing a lot of
smoke too, front cylinder was not running (spark plug was wet) and oil level
was increasing in the oil pan.
After getting a diagnosis from Markham Outdoor Power dealership, I was told
head gasket needs to be
replaced (oil and water is leaking into the front two cylinders) and
the air filter has a whole in it, dirt got into all 4 cylinders, engine
has to be re-built due to damage to cylinders. Cost of the job:
$2500-3000 (parts and labour)!
I had decided to ask for a second opinion from Donald (Platinum Powersport in Clinton Ontario Canada). The reason why I have not taken my bike to his shop first, because I am living far from him.
After I have unloaded the bike in front of his shop, Donald managed to
find the problem in 15 min. We did not even push the bike into his shop."
[image: View Post]Veefer Madness, on Aug 26 2009, 11:38 PM, said:
DING-DING!!!!!! :warranty:
A MOUSE? :idea3: :comp13: :491:
Only VFRD for me........... :sleep:
Greg :fing02:
yeah, but my only issue is that even if it is a furry friend, there could still be a lot of damage from it. So what was the solution if it doesn't involve any of the dealer repairs.
Hmm, looks like the dealer is trying to use deductive reasoning like this:
1. If the plugs are wet and the bike is smoking, then coolant must be getting into the cylinders - therefore you need new head gaskets
2. If the air filter has a hole in it (surely that has to be true, right?), then dirt must be in all of the cylinders - therefore you need all four cylinders cleaned out, maybe polished again, while the head gaskets are being replaced
Easily $2500-3000
I think the biggest clue here is that it was suddenly dying while running, which sounds much more like an electrical problem. If the head gaskets are bad, there's no suddenly dying, it's really hard to get started and even harder to keep running. I'd say Veefer's probably already got it, mouse chewed through some wires and made a nest in the air filter. But if not then I'll guess the oil pump and front cylinder were unplugged/burnt connector (are these wires close or on the same route in a 6th gen?)
A mouse is the first thing that came to my mind as well. I am aware of only two reasons for a hole in the air filter. A mouse or as a veeeery long shot a really bad backfire? Mouse can also disable select cylinders. That does not explain why there is water in the oil though, unless the mouse pissed into the TB. A lot. :laugh: :huh:
A mouse does sound reasonable as chewed wires could mean a shorted fuel injector (keeps dumping fuel). Was the smoking associated with the smell of roasted rodent??
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Aug 26 2009, 11:59 PM, said:
Some Dealers Really Suck!!! :laugh: :+1: There's no doubt about that.
Once you see the answer, it'll make you wonder if some shops actually pay attention/care about what they are doing? :blink:
Hint (if I may Ken), it was a simple answer.
Someone stole the engine while you were riding it. (he can stop time just like that asian teen on Heros on NBC).
it's a mouse i read the news article on Yahoo. I'm now adding 50 mouse traps to my winter storage list, that includes a cover, a sheet wood, and a battery tender. I think 50 will be enough to surround the bike, apparently VFR's are the only bike that Mice like, I know Mickey and Minnie have a matching pair of RWB 07's, but I never heard of them chewing parts of it off.
Well - as Machine Builder hinted - it was an easy fix.... And here it is - casue I'll be no where near a computer at 5pm.......
The culprit was the Power Commander. It was screwed up and was causing the issues the rider had. Once they unplugged it- the bike ran absolutely perfectly again.
Lots of you thought it was electrical - which it was.
[image: View Post]Kanadian Ken, on Aug 27 2009, 02:51 PM, said:
Well - as Machine Builder hinted - it was an easy fix.... And here it is - casue I'll be no where near a computer at 5pm.......
The culprit was the Power Commander. It was screwed up and was causing the issues the rider had. Once they unplugged it- the bike ran absolutely perfectly again.
Lots of you thought it was electrical - which it was.
Thanks for playing! :biggrin:
Why did the oil level rise? Unspent fuel?
[image: View Post]Rice, on Aug 27 2009, 11:10 AM, said:
A mouse is the first thing that came to my mind as well. I am aware of only two reasons for a hole in the air filter. A mouse or as a veeeery long shot a really bad backfire? Mouse can also disable select cylinders. That does not explain why there is water in the oil though, unless the mouse pissed into the TB. A lot. :laugh: :huh:
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY. everything explained except the oil level going up.
[image: View Post]Knife, on Aug 27 2009, 12:57 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Kanadian Ken, on Aug 27 2009, 02:51 PM, said:
Well - as Machine Builder hinted - it was an easy fix.... And here it is - casue I'll be no where near a computer at 5pm.......
The culprit was the Power Commander. It was screwed up and was causing the issues the rider had. Once they unplugged it- the bike ran absolutely perfectly again.
Lots of you thought it was electrical - which it was.
Thanks for playing! :biggrin:
Why did the oil level rise? Unspent fuel?
Yes, the PC was dumping excess amounts of fuel into the front bank and much of this runs down past the rings into the oil raising the level. :blush:
I knew that was the problem.... I just didn't want to spoil it for you guys...... Yea.... RIGHT :rolleyes:
If you believe that, I've got a bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell ya'....... :laugh:
"Almost a month ago, my 02 VFR was shutting down while riding (suddenly and
without any warnings). Couple of days later it was releasing a lot of
smoke too, front cylinder was not running (spark plug was wet) and oil level
was increasing in the oil pan."
Kind of forgot the smell coming from the oil fill cap (fuel) and the fact the bike wasn't stock... :warranty:
Big reason i try not to help people with out having the bike in front of me. the above issues could be cause by any number of problems. Rarely over text or through word of mouth do you get the WHOLE picture.
Good on the second guy for taking a look though. Not the first time i've heard of a power commander going out. Actually had my PC2 on the 98 die about 3 weeks before it got totaled.
[image: View Post]Kanadian Ken, on Aug 27 2009, 02:51 PM, said:
Well - as Machine Builder hinted - it was an easy fix.... And here it is - casue I'll be no where near a computer at 5pm.......
The culprit was the Power Commander. It was screwed up and was causing the issues the rider had. Once they unplugged it- the bike ran absolutely perfectly again.
Lots of you thought it was electrical - which it was.
Thanks for playing! :biggrin:
That doesn't explain a hole in the air filter.
I feel cheated. :pissed:
I think I'll go and drink some wine now. I mean more wine.
End of thread · 34 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010