Head/Piston explosion update
#51
07-07-2011, 01:28 AM
I just have never seen an engine melt down and cause valve failure because it was too lean.
Because it was over revved ? Yes
Because it wasn't broken in yet ? Yes
Because something was installed incorrectly ? Yes
Because the timing was off ? Yes
Because it had no coolant in it ? Yes
Because it had no oil in it ? Yes
But because it was merely lean? No way
#54
07-07-2011, 01:34 AM
A little harsh, but yeah. I enjoyed my bike for a month or two. It's a lesson learned to make sure that I know what I'm doing the next time I do something out of my spectrum of know-how. I'll never sell this bike without intents to get another one. I've ridden bikes all my life since I was a little kid(I'm 21 now). It's just one of those things that I genuinely enjoy. I'm passionate about riding. I'm also a go-getter and it often times gets me in trouble when messing with things that require time and patience.
I know I'll get it worked out. And I definitely plan on taking it to a licensed mechanic(probably a dealership that services Kawasakis). The head is warranted if installed by a licensed mechanic. It's on my to-do list though in the future to learn the ins and out of engines.
While the bike is parked though, it's giving me a lot of time to do all the other little things that I want to do. I just dropped off all the plastics to get carbon fiber wrapped. I'll post pics when it's done.
I know I'll get it worked out. And I definitely plan on taking it to a licensed mechanic(probably a dealership that services Kawasakis). The head is warranted if installed by a licensed mechanic. It's on my to-do list though in the future to learn the ins and out of engines.
While the bike is parked though, it's giving me a lot of time to do all the other little things that I want to do. I just dropped off all the plastics to get carbon fiber wrapped. I'll post pics when it's done.
I paid hard earned money for my bike, I treat it well. Everything that goes into it is well thought out and planned.
I couldn't live with myself if I blew up my bike at all, nevermind at 2 months.
I praise you for being so motivated but killing your bike shouldn't be the result.
#55
07-07-2011, 01:40 AM
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Northern Kettle Moraine
Posts: 628
The real problem was that he killed it in such a public manner. We have all made mistakes and hopefully learned from them. Jhoffy has the world providing comment on his error.
#56
07-07-2011, 01:42 AM
He didn't even torque the head bolts down. So we know he didn't torque the cam bolts down. One of them could have came loose, eventually loosening or bending the bracket that holds the cams down. A loose cam hitting one of those buckets causes it to jump out of its hole or not seat correctly, next time the cam comes around, BAM, pushes one of the valves way too far into the combustion chamber and its over.
#57
07-07-2011, 01:53 AM
I remember you mentioned really black oil.
Was oil getting around to everything?
I think your break in strategy was ride it like you stole it. That method is pretty much what I did.
I'd like you to take everything to a good mechanic and let them check it all out. Stop taking things apart and let someone investigate this for you.
I may as well ask.
Do YOU think the cam mod caused this? How confident are you that it was done correctly?
I don't think it was the mod.
Did you check the valve clearance after you went back and did the after thought torque of bolts?
Bottom line is that something happened bad. It could've been in your none methodical approach to a large number of mods at once that something was missed or done incorrectly that caused a part to fail or MAYBE something just failed.
Patience Grasshopper!
Was oil getting around to everything?
I think your break in strategy was ride it like you stole it. That method is pretty much what I did.
I'd like you to take everything to a good mechanic and let them check it all out. Stop taking things apart and let someone investigate this for you.
I may as well ask.
Do YOU think the cam mod caused this? How confident are you that it was done correctly?
I don't think it was the mod.
Did you check the valve clearance after you went back and did the after thought torque of bolts?
Bottom line is that something happened bad. It could've been in your none methodical approach to a large number of mods at once that something was missed or done incorrectly that caused a part to fail or MAYBE something just failed.
Patience Grasshopper!
#58
07-07-2011, 02:49 AM
if the cam bearings and head bolts were not torqued with a quality torque wrench. I am going to vote on that being the cause. Bike ran ok until improperly torqued bolts backed off. I am a certifed ASE mechanic, though I specialize in electrical electronic headaches. I have been wondering from the start of this thread if it was technique that caused this. Marcelino brings up a good point about the high rpm shifting and the BMW's. I really feel if the engine were assembled by me. This wouldnt have happened. Though I would not have done the cam mod's, I love the sound of my bike with no airbox lid(mines carb'd though). And my understanding of doing the cam mod was to quiet down the FI intake noise. Look at any modern economy car. They all have intake boots that have "mufflers" to quiet that obnoxious noise.
#59
07-07-2011, 03:01 AM
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 592
if the cam bearings and head bolts were not torqued with a quality torque wrench. I am going to vote on that being the cause. Bike ran ok until improperly torqued bolts backed off. I am a certifed ASE mechanic, though I specialize in electrical electronic headaches. I have been wondering from the start of this thread if it was technique that caused this. Marcelino brings up a good point about the high rpm shifting and the BMW's. I really feel if the engine were assembled by me. This wouldnt have happened. Though I would not have done the cam mod's, I love the sound of my bike with no airbox lid(mines carb'd though). And my understanding of doing the cam mod was to quiet down the FI intake noise. Look at any modern economy car. They all have intake boots that have "mufflers" to quiet that obnoxious noise.
#60
07-07-2011, 03:18 AM
I spoke to a professional mechanic today and showed them my head and piston. He told me that what caused this was very clear and it was because I was simply running way too lean. He said that he had seen this before and there was no doubt about it. The thing is, I was running the richest Dynojet(#132) offered in the kit. I had the needle 3rd notch down with two washers on top. Granted I was still running the stock #35 pilot jet. I would like to know where I can get the #38 pilot jet for when I get everything back together.
Here are the pics for anyone that never saw them:
Here are the pics for anyone that never saw them: