E
Einstein
Guest
As my basket case GS550E was suffering from really low compression, I decided to change the engine complete, as this was the most cost effective solution..
Although the engine had very low compression (60psi on 3 pots, 100 on one) it still ran very well, but was a pig to start from cold..
Anyway, I picked up a second hand engine, and fitted it in the bike..
it started pretty easy, and sounded smooth enough so I thought I had a winner..
When I went for a ride, it was missing badly over 40mph, so I had a look at the plugs, which were white in colour, saying it was running weak, or overheating.. and it did seem a fair bit hot..
I checked the ignition timing which was fine, checked for airleaks which there were none.. and at this point was getting a bit stumped.. as the old engine ran fine..
Another problem, was the tachometer wasn't working, so I pulled out the drive unit, and found no gear on the shaft at all.. thinking it may have fallen inside I lifted the valve cover for a look.. no gear was there, so at least it was safe to use, but stranger than that, there was no drive on the camshaft either..
I decided to check the valve timing, so I took the cover off completely, and then lined up the crankshaft marks...... took a look at the cams, and found no timing marks there.. I even turned the engine round, and found nothing..
Thinking someone had put the drive pulleys on wrong, I looked at the other side.. There were the timing marks !!!! and what was even weirder, so was the drive for the tachometer !!!
Someone had fitted the camshafts in backwards... And the engine still ran !! also there was no front camchain guide..
I turned the cams round, fitted the old camchain guide, timed up the valves, and now the engine is as sweet as a nut.. the plugs are a nice tan colour, and all is fine.
God knows what you have to do to one of these engines to kill it... leaving it in the hands of a complete idiot doesn't seem to be enough...
John
Although the engine had very low compression (60psi on 3 pots, 100 on one) it still ran very well, but was a pig to start from cold..
Anyway, I picked up a second hand engine, and fitted it in the bike..
it started pretty easy, and sounded smooth enough so I thought I had a winner..
When I went for a ride, it was missing badly over 40mph, so I had a look at the plugs, which were white in colour, saying it was running weak, or overheating.. and it did seem a fair bit hot..
I checked the ignition timing which was fine, checked for airleaks which there were none.. and at this point was getting a bit stumped.. as the old engine ran fine..
Another problem, was the tachometer wasn't working, so I pulled out the drive unit, and found no gear on the shaft at all.. thinking it may have fallen inside I lifted the valve cover for a look.. no gear was there, so at least it was safe to use, but stranger than that, there was no drive on the camshaft either..
I decided to check the valve timing, so I took the cover off completely, and then lined up the crankshaft marks...... took a look at the cams, and found no timing marks there.. I even turned the engine round, and found nothing..
Thinking someone had put the drive pulleys on wrong, I looked at the other side.. There were the timing marks !!!! and what was even weirder, so was the drive for the tachometer !!!
Someone had fitted the camshafts in backwards... And the engine still ran !! also there was no front camchain guide..
I turned the cams round, fitted the old camchain guide, timed up the valves, and now the engine is as sweet as a nut.. the plugs are a nice tan colour, and all is fine.
God knows what you have to do to one of these engines to kill it... leaving it in the hands of a complete idiot doesn't seem to be enough...
John
