New to me Stelvio

[Yo Man]

Hi folks, I recently bought a 2009 Stelvio with only 11,000 kms and in very nice overall condition. I've loaded the Guzzi-diag map and that transformed the way it runs and I've set the valves and am keeping a real close eye on them for any change. This is the noisiest engine I have ever experienced and I am very concerned about the cams and followers. I believe Motoguzzi will spring for the parts to upgrade to the roller kit IF the bike has been serviced by the dealer. Here's my dilemma/question. This bike was bought new in the States by a Canadian and had it's first service at 1000 kms done at the US dealer. Since then it's been looked after by its two previous owners and now me; oil and fluid changes and valve adjustments. I believe the next scheduled maintenance would have been at 10,000 kms. So I'm wondering if I should run it in to the new to Moto Guzzi local dealer and get some sort of service done, just to keep it eligible for possible goodwill extended warranty. And if so, what should I have done in order to qualify for the extended warranty? Bear in mind, it needs nothing, everything has been done, oil, oil filter, transmission and rear end oils, valves adjusted. Call me cheap but I hate to pay a lot of money for nothing, but I also want to be protected against a future hefty bill if the cam and followers fail. I'll add that the local dealer hasn't sold many Guzzis and I don't have any confidence in them to do a good job on my bike and I know I would have to check everything they've touched. What to do?

[leafman60]

Hi folks, I recently bought a 2009 Stelvio with only 11,000 kms and in very nice overall condition. I've loaded the Guzzi-diag map and that transformed the way it runs and I've set the valves and am keeping a real close eye on them for any change. This is the noisiest engine I have ever experienced and I am very concerned about the cams and followers. I believe Motoguzzi will spring for the parts to upgrade to the roller kit IF the bike has been serviced by the dealer. Here's my dilemma/question. This bike was bought new in the States by a Canadian and had it's first service at 1000 kms done at the US dealer. Since then it's been looked after by its two previous owners and now me; oil and fluid changes and valve adjustments. I believe the next scheduled maintenance would have been at 10,000 kms. So I'm wondering if I should run it in to the new to Moto Guzzi local dealer and get some sort of service done, just to keep it eligible for possible goodwill extended warranty. And if so, what should I have done in order to qualify for the extended warranty? Bear in mind, it needs nothing, everything has been done, oil, oil filter, transmission and rear end oils, valves adjusted. Call me cheap but I hate to pay a lot of money for nothing, but I also want to be protected against a future hefty bill if the cam and followers fail. I'll add that the local dealer hasn't sold many Guzzis and I don't have any confidence in them to do a good job on my bike and I know I would have to check everything they've touched. What to do?

Not trying to be a smartass but maybe you should quit worrying so much and just ride the thing. 

You probably don't have near the problems that you fear. 

Those motors make noise.  It's called character!

.

[Guzzistajohn]

It's when they DON'T make noise that you have something to worry about, but go see a pro to set your mind @ ease.

[Lannis]

It's when they DON'T make noise that you have something to worry about, but go see a pro to set your mind @ ease.

I sort of agree, but I don't know to what standard you're holding the Stelvio to on "noise".   

I ride a BSA with the washpan valve cover that amplifies every noise, and (to borrow a Roperism) my 2009 Stelvio has sounded like a washing machine full of crescent wrenches ever since I got it new, and it's been doing fine for 37,000 miles now, only minimal changes in valve lash (none at the 12,000 and 24,000 mile checks, .0015" on both exhausts at 36,000 miles).

So I'm just sayin' --- not telling you NOT to go to the dealer or YES go to the dealer, only you will know what will make you feel best about the thing.   Can't really put a price on "peace of mind" ....

Lannis

[brenwin]

I think I know the bike but could be absolutely wrong too . If your in Canada and on the coast the best mechanic and dealership is in Chilliwack at Valley Moto . They are passionate about Guzzis and great to deal with . A bit of a pain to get to but well worth the effort in my books . These are naturally noisy beasts and I wondered the same thing when I got my first Guzzi . 
Let me know if I'm right or totally off base about where this bike is . You've picked a great ride and this is an awesome site for just about everything from soup to nuts !!

[Yo Man]

Thanks guys, I AM a worrier, that's a fact and if the bike continues to run ok I'll get over the noise. I have read many times that it's a noisy motor but there are no others around to compare it to. I want to protect myself against a huge bill but 3 or 4 hundred dollars for nothing every 10,000 kms adds up too.

[Yo Man]

I think I know the bike but could be absolutely wrong too . If your in Canada and on the coast the best mechanic and dealership is in Chilliwack at Valley Moto . They are passionate about Guzzis and great to deal with . A bit of a pain to get to but well worth the effort in my books . These are naturally noisy beasts and I wondered the same thing when I got my first Guzzi . 
Let me know if I'm right or totally off base about where this bike is . You've picked a great ride and this is an awesome site for just about everything from soup to nuts !!

Thanks for the encouragement. I am on the coast; just not that coast

[brenwin]

Thanks for the encouragement. I am on the coast; just not that coast

Well , at least I wasn't all together wrong , lol !

[Silver Goose]

Yo Man, ride it like you stole it. The engines are a little noisy as long as it is not clanging and banging, enjoy it. Maintain the engine as outlined in the owner's manual.

I have more than 17,000 miles and other than normal service, tires and the fork seals, no problems.

Good Luck, enjoy.

[normzone]

Not directly pertinent to your situation, but my Eldo sounded like there was a handful of change in the valve cover, and my Bassa sounds like a 1047 cc gas powered sewing machine. I worried for a while, but after several valve adjustments when I got better at it and they stabilized I quit worrying. Now I just ride it and worry about running out of gas.

[kingoffleece]

If you're on the east coast you could do a LOT worse than taking the bike to Jim Hamlin at Hamlin Cycles in Bethel, CT.
There are dozens of us who will travel 500 miles for the big stuff as Jim and the crew are that good.

[Cam3512]

If you are a "worrier", why would you buy an early 8V with flat tappets?

Your location would help us steer you toward a competent dealer.

[pyoungbl]

To settle your mind just draw an oil sample from the crankcase and send it out for analysis.  That will be a $25 no BS answer.  If the sample has lots of metal in it you will have every reason to worry.  I'm betting that won't be the case.  http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Peter Y.

[leafman60]

To settle your mind just draw an oil sample from the crankcase and send it out for analysis.  That will be a $25 no BS answer.  If the sample has lots of metal in it you will have every reason to worry.  I'm betting that won't be the case.  http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

Peter Y.

And, haven't your oil analysis reports indicated that all is okay with your 2012 Stelvio? No valve lifter particles or anything like that.

[beetle]

Just sniff the oil.

* have your clearances opened up appreciably since last adjustment?
* do you get any 'backfiring' thru the throttle bodies, or the occasional 'chuff" thru them?
* is there any misfiring or hesitiation at about 2000 RPM under no load?

If you answer is 'yes' to any of these things, please have a good look at your cams.

Otherwise to prevent a knock-back from Guzzi if they do go tits-up, get a bloody service done at an authorized dealer. You must have a service history from an authorized dealer to be eligible for the 'no cost' kit.

[Vasco DG]

'Sniff Test' is really good. Pity the innerneck doesn't do smell. :D

The way I detected my shitbox had done its tappets was by oil colour and smell. Unfortunately I don't think I was vigilant enough as I think it's fed some shit through at least on of the big ends. How do I know? Noise, smell and colour.

Still goes like all the powers of piss but I don't trust it so it's getting new shells in a week or two and if that doesn't work it'll be another engine out job which I need like a major pain in the face.

Pete

[Vasco DG]

Oh, and if it's an A5 engine it may well rattle like a skeletons' convention simply because of the un-shimmed cams.

Pete

[pyoungbl]

And, haven't your oil analysis reports indicated that all is okay with your 2012 Stelvio? No valve lifter particles or anything like that.

Yes, exactly my point.

Peter Y.

[lucian]

I've had exactly the same concerns,worries since day one with the a5 motor in my 09 Griso. That is one noisy top end for sure.I have resolved to purchase the roller kit and have it on the shelf for if  the day comes it should start destroying itself. Currently it is a six to eight week wait for the kit in the U.S. and that is about the length of our riding season up here. I probably wont install it unless it becomes necessary, but I also worry about the kits becoming unavailable at some point down the road if I keep the bike that long. I also feel as though it would be an advantage if  someone were to be interested in buying the bike to know the upgrade has been done. Most of the techs I have discussed this with tend to agree with my logic, however all reassured me that with proper service and not running it at redline all the time , you are unlikely to have any problems with the cams and followers. It is a tough call but I think for about the same cost of some after market farkles, the timing kit is a worthwhile expense, especially if doing it  preemptively saves a complete tear down. I think it would be worth half the cost of the kit just to shut the damn thing up noise wise. I think I will run it the rest of the season and this winter pull the cams and have a look, if all is well I will likely run the flats next season as well. Like anything mechanical the key to no down time is being on top of maintenance, and being pro active about available upgrades. If it fails,  a dealer would have to be the one to document the damage and apply for the kit for free. As long as you keep a history of the recommended services by date and mileage, it matters not who does them. But ultimately it is the dealer and the factory's call. My 2 cents,   dave

[Yo Man]

If you are a "worrier", why would you buy an early 8V with flat tappets?

Your location would help us steer you toward a competent dealer.

These bikes are very rare in my neck of the woods (NewBrunswick, Canada) so when this one came up for sale I jumped on it. I knew about the cam/tappet problem but it was only when I heard it fully warmed up, on the drive home, that I got concerned.

[Yo Man]

Just sniff the oil.

* have your clearances opened up appreciably since last adjustment?
* do you get any 'backfiring' thru the throttle bodies, or the occasional 'chuff" thru them?
* is there any misfiring or hesitiation at about 2000 RPM under no load?

If you answer is 'yes' to any of these things, please have a good look at your cams.

Otherwise to prevent a knock-back from Guzzi if they do go tits-up, get a bloody service done at an authorized dealer. You must have a service history from an authorized dealer to be eligible for the 'no cost' kit.

No to all of the above. The bike actually runs great; much better than when I got it thanks mainly to the new engine mapping you provided.  I'm going to continue checking the valve lash on a regular basis until I feel reassured that everything is as it should be.

[Yo Man]

'Sniff Test' is really good. Pity the innerneck doesn't do smell. :D

The way I detected my shitbox had done its tappets was by oil colour and smell. Unfortunately I don't think I was vigilant enough as I think it's fed some shit through at least on of the big ends. How do I know? Noise, smell and colour.

Still goes like all the powers of piss but I don't trust it so it's getting new shells in a week or two and if that doesn't work it'll be another engine out job which I need like a major pain in the face.

Pete

Ok, I'm going to go sniff my oil. The colour is good; looks like new. As others have said, it's too bad we have to wait for failure and doing more damage to the engine, as happened to yours, before MG will provide the upgraded parts. I would pay for the labour today if they would provide the parts. I know you get tired of people complaining about this issue so much and I haven't lost sight of the fact that other than that, this is one cool bike. It really is a hoot to ride and has a feel to it that is very special and addictive. I'm optimistic about it in the long run, just need to sort things out now.