| Author |
Message |
    
Dgleason
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 08:40 am: | 
|
Hello, I am new to this site. I ran into some trouble recently with my xb12ss and hoped that you all might be able to provide some guidance. I was riding to Flagstaff and all of the sudden say a low oil pressure light. I pulled over and stopped the bike immediately, then towed it to the nearest dealer. There was no oil leaking anywhere. The reservoir had plenty of oil, but of course the indication stayed on. We started it one more time (at the dealer) and shut it down immediately after hearing some "bad noise". Upon further inspection at a second dealer it appear a piece of the rear piston skirt broke off. Why would this happen? There appears to be no other damage to the top or bottom end. It seems to be localized the the rear piston. Could the oil passage the cools the piston skirt get blocked??? Thanks for all the help. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 12:05 pm: |
|
Bad news! Sorry to hear it. It's unusual, that's for sure. |
Dgleason
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 05:38 pm: |
|
Thanks for the sympathy! One thing that is really bothering me is that the night before the start of my trip (never do this!) A dealer had updated the ecm with a new program. I have asked a couple of times did the download affect the timing, ie make it more lean... the answer has been absolutely not, standard timing. Not 300 miles after the update... boom and never a problem in the 6000 miles before! |
Froggy
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 06:20 pm: |
|
ECM update would not cause a mechanical failure. |
Dgleason
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 07:12 pm: |
|
Thats what every is saying and I am inclined to agree, I suppose it is just the timing. Having said this the guys that I am working with have been great. What would cause this kind of mechanical failure? |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 08:40 pm: |
|
I don't think the ECM would cause it either, unless it was a completely screwed up version (like trying to put a 9 mapping in a 12, which I assume is impossible). If somebody was messing with custom maps, then I could see it roasting an engine. But not a factory map.
Pistons fail on everything... it's rare, but far from unprecedented. I'd want to let a pro look at the failed parts, they could probably tell you what happened. |
Dgleason
| | Posted on Thursday, July 08, 2010 - 11:27 pm: |
|
So here is the end of the story for now. As it turns out one (or more) of jets that oil / cool the skirt became "warn out" thus failing to provide appropriate lubrication / cooling to the skirt, which overheated and became brittle... thus causing the failure. HD/Buell has been kind enough to offer replacement parts after some discussion with the dealer (good will program)due to the premature nature of the failure. Is this a good time to think about a big bore kit? Obviously that would be an additional cost... but maybe its worth it to ensure this doesn't happen again? |
Froggy
| | Posted on Friday, July 09, 2010 - 01:00 am: |
|
Out of the 130k Buell's built, this is the first time I have ever heard of this issue, I doubt it will happen again. Like they say "Shit happens".
As for the big bore, I can't say. The motors are fantastic in stock trim. |
Tick
| | Posted on Thursday, July 29, 2010 - 09:27 pm: |
|
a piston oiler going bad i have seen it i never seen the piston braking from it.
the oiler must have been clogged or the check ball stuck but the ones i have seen the engine would sump . the oiler would not close just keep pumping not saying it cant happen i would like to see the piston |
Dgleason
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 12:55 am: |
|
So... same problem as before. It's been many weeks and I beginning to think the shop is stumped or not interested, anyway after an engine rebuild, pistons, etc. I got my bike back drove it for ~ 75 miles (easily) to attempt to break in things and then the red light again. Pressure is registering low and as I look at the oil in the reservoir its frothy. Also noted a little different engine noise then before. The guys at the shop think there may be a partial blockage in the gravity oil feed line to the pump. It starts ok (no light) then in a couple of minutes or as I get to ~ 2000 rpm the light comes on. Anyone have any thoughts? It would appear to me that as pressure increases from the pump (with rpm) the pump begins to cavitate and the oil pressure drops? Can you have a low pressure vacuum leak in the oil pump that might cause this? 11 weeks later we are now getting to the real problem... Kinda thought they would have wanted to change the pump bye now, but so far its been the gear only. BTW never did get to see any of the parts... they got sent back to HD presumable. I saw on another post wise words about alienating you shop... I got pissed and did that, they didn't call me back before but now the only way I find stuff out is in person... great hugh. |
Dgleason
| | Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 - 01:12 am: |
|
So it sounds like they got it, play in the oil pump shaft. As the oil pump gear rotates faster the gear stop spinning. Might get to ride this weekend! |
|
Troubleshooting (Poor Starting/Running/Handling/Ride Issues) »
Archive through February 02, 2011 »
06 xb12Ss Rear Piston Skirt Failure