Clang Clang Clang...uh oh.

Big Lou · March 25, 2009, 05:35:04 AM

So I don't know if you guys remember or not, but I took a ride to Cali and on the way back got stranded in N.M. After many futile hours fighting with dealerships and suzuki north america, I decided I would go with my original idea (that it was bad gas), drain the gas and put some new gas in it. Guess what. Every stinking suzuki dealership from Louisiana to New Mexico are a bunch of dumba$$e$. Bike fired right up. Now, before I go any further, another problem has arisen. First, I didn't have enough container to drain all the bad gas. I drained 2 gallons, added some water remover, some octane booster (both STP) and about 2 gallons of fresh gas. Bike runs but has an awful, and I mean awful, clanging from the top of the cylinder. From reading the other posts, it's not the cam shaft noise most GS are victims of. I haven't checked my valve shims yet (coming next week-end), but I really don't think it would make that kinda noise anyway. So my question is, is this another symptom of the remaining bad gas in the tank, or am I a$$ed out again?

Roadstergal · March 25, 2009, 10:20:29 AM

Park it and start by checking the valves. Loose valves make a racket - but so do other things, and none of them are good.

Hawk996 · March 26, 2009, 01:33:58 AM

If the noise you are describing is as bad as you say it is your most likely not going to be happy. Sounds to me like you may have a broken rod (which if it would still run on one cylinder? would explain why it runs so poorly) or you may have thrown a bearing.

I think the first thing I would do is drain the oil through a fine mesh strainer and look for metal flake.

yamahonkawazuki · March 26, 2009, 01:54:31 AM

yup. topside youve got the cams, ( which can make the noise. the valves, also can make said noise. teh cam chain,again the noise. valves hitting piston again, the noise. basically dont ride it UNTIL you examine it. or someone does. cause if somethign fails. odds are your next post would be somethign like " engine needed"

Big Lou · March 26, 2009, 07:11:25 AM

so Im gonna check the valves asap, and we'll go from there. Im really not great with motors, so it's gonna take me a while Im sure (even with Kerry's video). if its a broken push rod/thrown bearing, how much dough we talkin about here?

Pigeonroost · March 26, 2009, 08:41:17 AM

I thing the "rod" in question is a connector rod (piston to crank shaft) and NOT a valve push rod (which I do not think is even a part of this design). Don't run the engine unti lyou know or it may throw a rod.

prs

Roadstergal · March 26, 2009, 09:54:14 AM

If you're not so good with engines, find someone who is in your area to hang out with you when you get the kit. For one, said person might have a better idea of what's up by hearing the sond him/herself; for two, the first time you dig into an engine, it's better to have someone experienced on hand to give you guidance on the annying little hangups.

The GS500 is OHC, not pushrod.

fred · March 26, 2009, 10:25:07 AM

I agree that having a mechanically inclined friend around will help a lot. If it is someone who's worked on a GS before, even better. Just having a second set of hands to help you hold stuff makes a big difference. There is no reason you couldn't do it yourself, but it will go a lot faster and easier if you have someone else to help out.

Big Lou · March 26, 2009, 02:43:53 PM

Quote from: Pigeonroost on March 26, 2009, 08:41:17 AM
I thing the "rod" in question is a connector rod (piston to crank shaft) and NOT a valve push rod (which I do not think is even a part of this design). Don't run the engine unti lyou know or it may throw a rod.

prs

I told you guys....not so good with engines. HOWEVER comma my gramps rebuilds motors all the time, so, mebbe some help there. Most of the people in my area just ride em, not really work on em. There are ones and twos that do, but most of us aren't at home long enough to seriously break down a bike. mucho gracias guys. Will let you know how things turn out, AND when I have questions.

Hawk996 · March 26, 2009, 06:57:39 PM

I was talking about a connecting rod, maybe a wrist pin broke, hence running on one cylinder. I don't know if the GS will run on one though? Anyways, if you have a connecting rod clanging around in the cylinder it will make an ungodly noise like described. If ridden, especially ridden hard like that you will eventually have a new breather hole in your case.

Like I said before: If it were my bike the first thing i would do is drain the oil through a fine mesh strainer and look for metal shavings.

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Clang Clang Clang...uh oh.