GS500F Died while driving down interstate now won't turn back on? Help!

[dinkydonuts]

So after being able to finally come home for a little bit back from college to look at my bike I have a pretty good idea that the engine is or was seized . I did what you guys told me got a mutlimeter put it up to the battery tried to get it to start. Nothing really ever happened to the battery stayed at about 12 or 13v. Then I got a 19 mm wrench took the timing cover off, and then tried to turn the timing thing that requires the 19mm wrench. Turned it clock wise and it spun around still make a clinking noise. Then i plugged it up to a regular car battery and   then  tried  to get  it  to turn  over. To make a long story short after about 3 mins on the starter it turned over but then made a horrible metal on metal  noise. I am guessing either  the engine is seized or that a piston broke?  Any other suggestions on what it would be? I put oil in it before I started it as well. Just curious on if it could be anything loose behind the timing cover. I know I'm probably wishing for the best, and that in all honesty it needs a new motor. Would a new motor be the cheapest way to go or getting a rebuild kit?

We've seen both done here. Some guys have flat out rebuilt their engines after having a spun crank bearing (which you could have?). I've seen complete engines on eBay for around $500-$700.

If you can sell what is left, though, maybe get a different bike? The GS is great and all, but there are so many options out there...

[shadow8586]

So I would be correct to think that the engine is shot then? There wouldn't be something else I would be missing or something simple it might be  . I am probably hoping for too much but I thought I would ask. Thanks for all the help to all the guys on this forum even if it does end up being that I'm SOL.

[radodrill]

To get that bike on the road you're certainly going to have to remove the engine and either rebuild or replace it.  It probably wouldn't hurt to pull the cylinder head while you're at it; it could be that you just broke off a valve or something more serious.  Whatever the problem is, by removing the head (and possibly cylinder) you can at least see what's going on and assess the repair-ability.

[gsJack]

Wouldn't hurt to pull the cover on the left to make sure it isn't goats locking it up and/or clicking when turning it over with wrench.  Doubt it's due to starter motor problems it wasn't involved when bike stopped on road.  If it's not goats I'd at least pull the valve cover before pulling the head or engine, could help to see if it's a valve or timing chain problem.  I saw a broken valve on mine thru the spark plug hole as did another member recently.  No mention has been made as to how much oil was in it when it was drained and filled or if a proper oil level check was made before it was drained.  I hate to pull everything apart until I know what's wrong if possible to determine.  How many miles on this 04 engine?

[shadow8586]

The oil probably left in it was around 1 quart  of oil. The thing that doesn't make sense about any of this IF it did run out of oil is that my oil indicator light never came on! I also know for a fact that it works because the last time I changed the oil the light  came on. Also the bike only had roughly 26000 miles on it. I would not think that an engine would go that quick unless the  two pervious  owners before me red line the   hell outta it all the time. 

[gsJack]

The oil pressure light should come on every time you turn the ignition on and remain on until the engine starts and the pump builds pressure.  Could be the bulb is burned out and you didn't get the warning?  Sure you didn't see the light since the last oil change?  One quart is not enough for pickup.  High oil consumption usually starts with running sustained high speeds after you have at least 40-50k miles on it.  I didn't add oil between oil changes on my 2 GSs until past 30-40k miles on them.

[shadow8586]

The oil pressure light should come on every time you turn the ignition on and remain on until the engine starts and the pump builds pressure.  Could be the bulb is burned out and you didn't get the warning?  Sure you didn't see the light since the last oil change?  One quart is not enough for pickup.  High oil consumption usually starts with running sustained high speeds after you have at least 40-50k miles on it.  I didn't add oil between oil changes on my 2 GSs until past 30-40k miles on them.

The bike oil pressure light works. I know that the blub will stay on until your turn the bike on and it builds pressure. That is the thing the light still works. Until the bike actually started  and ran the oil light was on and even when I turned it over this time when it made the horrible metal on metal noise the oil light went off. I did see the light since the last oil change but I  did not see it while I was driving the bike down the road. I never saw the light while it was running. I didn't think the bike was low on oil either considering i hadn't had any major oil leaks or the last time I checked  it was fine. Still the  oil does smell burnt and that is what makes me think there is an engine problem.

[gsJack]

If oil light is working and going out it had enough oil to maintain pressure and run but a quart still isn't enough to go any distance at any speed; it cools the top end too and the small quantity would soon get cooked and stop lubricating the bearings, cylinders, etc.  Looks like it is engine repair or replace time, burnt oil smell also indicates it was too hot.

My 02 with 100k miles on the clock still runs good and still sounds pretty good but it needs almost daily oil level attention to keep it doing so.  Surprised you ran out of oil with only 26k on yours unless it leaked or has been way too long since the last change or maybe that isn't the actual mileage.  I change oil regularly and don't even see any smoking, they seem to start burning oil like gasoline somewhere past 50-60k miles or so.  We never know for sure how many miles are really on a used bike we buy from a stranger.

[BockinBboy]

Adidas got angry!  But made a good point.

Not angry - GRUMPY!
Not been riding since Monday at 5:45pm. Going through withdrawal symptoms.

I too, suffer from PMS...

Parked Motorcycle Syndrome... it plagues many of us through these darker, colder, winter months...

- Bboy

Edit: Oh, and to actually add to the topic...
I wouldn't give up and get rid of your bike or buy a new motor just yet... First hand, and second hand accounts I've read on this forum support the following occurrence which I don't have an explanation for...  When my battery was dying and I got the infamous clicking and while battling keeping it charged before getting my new battery, I heard a loud, almost metallic clunk when trying to start my bike... it scared the mess out me, and I didn't want to touch the starter again in fear... It would be important to note that the sound was a single clunk/clack and the bike still didn't start up.  New battery shows up, charged it up and slapped it in and crossed my fingers.  Bike started right up with no odd sounds, and many trouble free miles later, still running strong.  I've heard that noise twice since owning my bike and both were when the battery was dying, and I have no explanation for it... only thing I can say is it still runs like it always did, Fantastic! Itd be hard to find the particular thread ive read it in previously, but I've read that same occurrence before on here.

[shadow8586]

If oil light is working and going out it had enough oil to maintain pressure and run but a quart still isn't enough to go any distance at any speed; it cools the top end too and the small quantity would soon get cooked and stop lubricating the bearings, cylinders, etc.  Looks like it is engine repair or replace time, burnt oil smell also indicates it was too hot.

My 02 with 100k miles on the clock still runs good and still sounds pretty good but it needs almost daily oil level attention to keep it doing so.  Surprised you ran out of oil with only 26k on yours unless it leaked or has been way too long since the last change or maybe that isn't the actual mileage.  I change oil regularly and don't even see any smoking, they seem to start burning oil like gasoline somewhere past 50-60k miles or so.  We never know for sure how many miles are really on a used bike we buy from a stranger.

That is what I dont understand is that it wasn't due for me to change the oil for another like 1500 miles. I had fixed all my oil leaks replaced all the gaskets right around the middle of summer. After that drove it a little bit was sitting for a bit before that but not really rubbed that much. NEVER saw an oil leak after I replaced the gaskets. I will have to replaced the battery but the loud metal on metal sound was when the bike was running Bockinboy. Still dont know what direction to go with this.

[Joolstacho]

Pull off the timing chain tensioner, it could be stuffed causing the chain to skip teeth and valves to tangle / hit the piston. Pull the head cover off. You'll probably have a bent valve or 3.
If this is the case it doesn't necessarily mean an engine rebuild. Mine was like this when I got it. New valves (my guides were okay) and valvegrind, gaskets, possibly shims.
(The first thing I'd do if I ever got another GS would be to check the tensioner, they're not too expensive and could save plenty of grief).

[BockinBboy]

I will have to replaced the battery but the loud metal on metal sound was when the bike was running Bockinboy.

Oh, sorry it seems I misunderstood... that is a different situation indeed.

It seems the only thing that will tell you what to do is to actually have a look inside.  That's the only way to know what's all going on in there and what it will take to fix it.  Then you'll have an informed decision on the bike's future - replace parts, replace engine, or replace bike.  Putting myself in your shoes, I would look at everything I can before tearing into to know where to look... but know that will only get you so far without seeing the actual problem, and what else it has affected.

- Bboy