Hydro motor - bad years

[skippy]

Well here’s a kick in the nuts. I’ve been riding the bike and when hot there is a slight ticking on the left side. I pulled the left side and low and behold the valve tops are brown steel, the right side is shiny aluminum. I guess this is the definition of half assed. Who does work like this and why?

The ticking you are hearing on the left side is likely coming from the timing chain slapping the tensioner. They tend to get noisy.

Skippy

[guzzisteve]

You need Kit #887349

Take a stiff drink and breathe 


https://www.af1racing.com/887349-Timing-System-Update-Kit---887349-ex-GU03049872

[Shiny Hat]

You need Kit #887347

Take a stiff drink and breathe 


https://www.af1racing.com/887349-Timing-System-Update-Kit---887349-ex-GU03049872

There’s a kit pn 887359 but it’s $3300, that won’t happen.
Where are you finding kit 887347?

[guzzisteve]

887349 is latest number, I used to install this kit at dealers here from 06-16

Hey, you better love your bike much for that investment. Unless you want to save it & ride forever.

[Shiny Hat]

It’s nice but love is not a word I would use.
I’ll ride until it eats itself then scrap it, price was cheap but still not worth the kit price, live and learn. To bad they started gouging the kit price. Have seen posts were the kit sold for $150, damn -.

[guzzisteve]

They make the kits in batches, each batch cost more to make ea time. That is their story.

[Shiny Hat]

Little ole me isn’t going to change their business practice but they could sell you the kit, no labor, at cost to anyone who shows proof of ownership and a VIN in the recall range.
I went to their site and you can enter a VIN to check for recalls as long as it’s after 2009, manual download cut off is 2004. Just doesn’t make sense to me, I guess a new owner doesn’t want to deal with sins of the past. Not sure if they are still making kits, I kind of doubt it but you never know.

[guzzisteve]

They still have kits in EU & factory, just none here in US, if you order it'll be here next month

Here's one ---https://www.stein-dinse.com/en/search.html?grp=&searchStr=887349

[Shiny Hat]

I appreciate the help but the jdpower average retail on this bike is $1400 so there’s no way I’d buy this kit.
I can buy a non hydro used MG a lot less than the price of the kit. I’ll throw nickels and dimes at it, oil sender just bought the farm, and run it till it dies then off to the scrap yard.

[Dave Swanson]

I understand your logic and agree. 

I was lucky that my 2003 hydro was properly sorted when I bought it.  The hydro motor is a real peach.  I regret selling it. 

[Shiny Hat]

Well today it left me on the side of the road, noted fuel pump was seriously loud, like it was starving for fuel.
Got it home and pulled the fuel line, low flow from tank. Drained and pulled tank filter, pretty much blocked solid with crap. I did clean the tank previously but not well enough, that’s on me. Cleaned tank and mesh tank filter, repaired broken wire on harness side low fuel warning light connector so that was a plus. Bike runs great so I’ll keep sorting through the small stuff. This bike will not beat me. It is a fun engine.

[jrt]

Just run it.   The problem (if there is one) at this point is that it is an orphan bike.  A good idea, but one that didn't take. 

[dguzzi]

   I'm with Dave Swanson, mine was sorted and is just fine. Thanks to the previous owner and GT Motors!!

[Shiny Hat]

My plan is to just run the bike. Unfortunately mine wasn’t sorted, it made it this far so hopefully it will keep going.
Thanks for the responses.

[Walter]

Resurrecting this thread yet again... Did the 2003-2005 V11 Sports and LeMans have the same hydraulic lifter issues?  I'm assuming not but wanted to be sure as I'm interested in a 2004 LeMans that is for sale.

[Frenchfrog]

Nope
Just that run of calis

[Walter]

Great, thank you!