Author Topic: My old MGX (Read 2943 times)

Luap McKeever · « **on:** January 26, 2021, 06:59:36 PM »

The new owner called me today. Turns out the bike dropped an oil pump after they bought it and it spent months in the shop, again. They get it back and ride it for very little, and boom, it's back in the shop again with the same problem (timing chain tensioner break) as I initially had. Long story short, altogether there's going to be over $6000 invested in repairs that just don't hold. If I'd have kept it, this would be almost 24 months in the shop, 8 hours round trip each time. I think I would have went postal by now. I feel bad for them, but if Guzzi would have just ponied up a new motor 2 years ago, this could have all been avoided. If my old dealer would have filed the claim like he was supposed to, the end user wouldn't have to spend any money. Shame on Piaggio. Shame. Sell a 22K bike and totally forget about the customer. I'd say something else here, but libel laws could get me in trouble.

So, the reason I write this...Does anyone have any clue what would cause a bike to keep busting timing chain tensioners? I'd like to pass on any information to him if I can.

lucian · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2021, 07:23:54 PM »

The 1400 motors use hydraulic plungers and blades to tension twin cam chains diven off a service shaft. ( twin cams are overhead) Service shaft and oil pumps are gear driven inside the front timing chest. I suppose if the oil lubrication pump was failing , low oil pressure would have a negative impact on the tensioner plungers in turn leading to a chain failure. A hell of a racket plus s an oil warning light would appear you would think. Without tearing it down it's only a guess. Sorry to hear this for the NO.

LowRyter · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2021, 07:32:49 PM »

The oil pump on the bike was reported here on WG. I understand the owner kept riding with the oil light on and topped it up with more oil but don't know any of that directly. It was just mentioned to me.

I'm glad that I didn't purchase a 1400 after your story.

lucian · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2021, 07:43:16 PM »

A shame. Oil lights need to be taken serious , especially on engines with plastic pump gears.

Tom H · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2021, 09:59:02 PM »

That poor bike had bad Ju Ju. Must have been built on Friday the 13th at 4:55pm.

Sorry for your luck with it and the new owner.

Tom

JJ · « **Reply #5 on:** January 27, 2021, 10:38:40 AM »

Quote from: Tom H on January 26, 2021, 09:59:02 PM

That poor bike had bad Ju Ju. Must have been built on Friday the 13th at 4:55pm.

Sorry for your luck with it and the new owner.

Tom

Yes, in the end, that poor MGX was just one big "LEMON" with no lemonade!! You did the right thing getting rid of it...

The new owner should just trade it in....cut his losses and just more forward. "Life is WAY too short to ride an unreliable motorcycle!!"

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2021, 10:40:50 AM »

What a NIGHTMARE! How's that Indian running Luap?

BillinPA · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2021, 03:31:45 PM »

Glad you didn't have to live through episode 2!!!!

TN Mark · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:07:40 PM »

Luap,

Did the current owner know the history you had with it prior to buying it? Did the shop they bought it from give the current owner your contact information?

In the end, what a shame this has happened. First to you and again to the current owner. Perhaps this is one that will finally be parted out. Minus certain parts of the engine of course. Though that would be another major issue for the current owner.

LowRyter · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:18:54 PM »

TN, For your question, the owner (or perhaps the Indian dealer) did inquire whether the bike was still subject to warranty. Again, so I was told.

inditx · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2021, 05:20:15 PM »

Wow just wow.....

Bulldog9 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 28, 2021, 12:10:10 AM »

In the immortal words of Dickie Roberts...... "That's Nukin Futs"

I know a guy who just had the right head warrantied for bad valve guides and other timing chain issues, another with a roached motor and another with a bad clutch, but I think the Clutch was operator error. Several other issues as well, but it seems the MGX is atypical compared to other 1400's. Still a small number over all, but I havent heard of any of these issues with Eldorado, Audace, or California models.

Huzo · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2021, 04:09:43 AM »

It’s been a hard luck poor thing, that MGX.

Travlr · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2021, 07:50:21 AM »

Would you buy another new Guzzi?

Mike

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2021, 08:11:27 AM »

That bike certainly has a dark cloud following it where ever it goes!

Moparnut72 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2021, 11:03:06 AM »

My Audace dropped a valve at 550 miles. I bought it after a new engine had been installed. It has been fine ever since except for low rpm fueling. I just got the cables and will install a new tune after more research.

kk

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #16 on:** January 28, 2021, 12:08:10 PM »

That's why I stopped buying Guzzis 18 years ago.

Ncdan · « **Reply #17 on:** January 28, 2021, 12:24:57 PM »

Not trying to add pain but since we are pointing out issues with the 1400 series, my 2015 tourer disposed of 2 TPS sensors in 7k miles. Fortunately I had a brother from another mother, here, that helped me greatly getting it back on the road both times. After those headaches I just couldn’t trust it anymore. Darn shame as that bike was the smoothest mile muncher I’ve ever owned, including Harley, goldwings, BMW and Kawasaki touring bikes. I realize it’s not the norm for these bikes but when these issues happen to you it tends to be a game changer one way or another 😞

jacksonracingcomau · « **Reply #18 on:** January 28, 2021, 07:13:01 PM »

Quote from: Luap McKeever on January 26, 2021, 06:59:36 PM

The new owner called me today. Turns out the bike dropped an oil pump after they bought it and it spent months in the shop, again. They get it back and ride it for very little, and boom, it's back in the shop again with the same problem (timing chain tensioner break) as I initially had. Long story short, altogether there's going to be over $6000 invested in repairs that just don't hold. If I'd have kept it, this would be almost 24 months in the shop, 8 hours round trip each time. I think I would have went postal by now. I feel bad for them, but if Guzzi would have just ponied up a new motor 2 years ago, this could have all been avoided. If my old dealer would have filed the claim like he was supposed to, the end user wouldn't have to spend any money. Shame on Piaggio. Shame. Sell a 22K bike and totally forget about the customer. I'd say something else here, but libel laws could get me in trouble.

So, the reason I write this...Does anyone have any clue what would cause a bike to keep busting timing chain tensioners? I'd like to pass on any information to him if I can.

Not really much to go on, guessing on the net would be foolish
But what I read is
Bike rebuilt after tensioner failed
Immediately has oil pump issue
Followed by tensioner failing again

I wouldn’t blame Piaggio for the second two, do the people that took your money for the rebuild say just bad luck?
All I can see is they fixed a symptom but not the cause.

Pictures of “dropped” oil pump might show clues, how many miles after “rebuild” did it happen ?

Joliet Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** January 28, 2021, 08:09:28 PM »

Quote from: Sasquatch Jim on January 28, 2021, 12:08:10 PM

That's why I stopped buying Guzzis 18 years ago.

I still find it amazing for twins our Stones were so different as far as issues

Motormike · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2021, 12:28:42 PM »

I’ve been pretty lucky in that all of bikes I’ve owned, I’ve never had a real hand-grenade in the bunch. I did have a Stator mounting bolt snap off inside the primary of Buell Lighting once. Made a lot of metal shavings as it chewed up the rotor, but looked worse than it was.
Lots of horror stories on various BMW forums about costly engine failures. The K1200 “slant” fours would occasionally jump timing and turn the engine into scrap. Boxer engine cams apparently made out of putty, etc.
My 2012 Road Glide never stranded me, but was a constant headache. Never did get it to run properly.

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Author Topic: My old MGX (Read 2943 times)