Firestorm Problem

[freelander306]

Can anyone help PLEASE I have a 1998 firestorm which has developed an engine fault It has developed a slight tinny rattle when warmed up and smokes a little, I have removed plugs and the front pot it was slightly sooty but nothing desperate I have also tested the pots compression and they both showed 150 psi and holds it so am a bit lost in what to do next any help would be greatly appreciated

[VTRDark]

Don't start/ride the bike until your Cam chain tensioners (cct's) have been checked or it may cause more damage. I'm hoping I'm wrong but I suspect you your cam chain tensioners are either failing or have failed. What colour is the smoke? Do you know if the cct's are original Honda ones and what mileage has the bike done.

Some links regarding the Cam Chain Tensioners (CCT's)

CCT's can go at any time, it's a gamble!
You can either go for the stop mod http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 31&t=19416 Which is the Honda auto CCT's that are converted to a fail safe. So when it does fail, it don't send the valves crashing.
Or
You go for the full manual conversion, your options are here http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 16&t=22720

Then with regards to fitting View Topic View Topic http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8326

Like I said I hope I'm not right but it's best to rule this out first.

(:-})

[Stratman]

A failed CCT will be more than a "slight tinny rattle" when warmed up - in fact if the cam chain is loose it would be worse when the engine was cold.

Need more information than this for anyone to help - how many miles done, last service, when did it start happening, had you done anything before etc?

[freelander306]

The bike has done about 35k the rattle started a few days ago but looks like it has used a little bit of oil it has not run dry the bike had been serviced about a month ago but the rattle does not sound bad its like if you had a bolt with washer loose the washer spinning around and vibrate on metal is the best way to describe it the front port plug was black when removed and that was the exhaust that the smoke was coming out of but only at high rev both ports have a comp reading of 150 psi and hold it which suprised me think new 164 psi does this sound like big ends ????? been told so much by others confused

[Wicky]

Please post your location (look in your user control panel) in case someone is nearby could pop by and have a listen.

[freelander306]

anybody in the somerset area who could come and have a look at my storm who is mechanicaly minded need help please

[darkember]

Need to be a little more specific as to the location of this rattle. Top or bottom. You can use a large screwdriver & put your ear to the stock placing the tip at different locations on the casings to narrow it down. Big ends sound more like a rumbling knock & will eminate from the bottom casings.

[AMCQ46]

Some comments but no answer.

big end noise would be under load, and would not make the front pot run rich, so I would not be bothered by that.

you comment that one exhaust is smoking, but it is a linked system so you cant say the RH exhaust = the frontr Cyl and the LH = the rear. so there is no conclusive proof or problem there either.

Compression sounds good, so again no worry that there is bent vavles or worn rings.

these are big noisy engines and they will use a bit of oil, so I wouldnt worry if it is less than 1l every 2000miles.

I would have to say that I guess that the slight rattle is not linked to the oil use or the sooty front plug, and it is more likley something simple that has come loose and that is not in the engine but being excited by the engine vibration. So you just have to work round listening and touching things till you find it.

one last thought is does the rattle stop when you pull in the clutch?

[freelander306]

rattle seems to have gone smokes slightly after 7000 revs but can smell burning oil what is the compression on a new firestorm

[VTRDark]

According to the manual http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 25#p145453 164psi is what the compression should be.

This smoke you talk about is it from the exhaust outlet or from somewhere else and what colour is it?

(:-})

[lloydie]

Mine burns oil but I get no smoke just the smell of it burning . Well I don't smell it the rider behind me gets a wif of oil when I power on:/)

[freelander306]

what is the easiest way to remove storm engine ? do you have to remove swinging arm ??

[lloydie]

Yes swing arm is connected to the swing arm .
I've not taken mine out yet do can't help
With removal technique .

[Kev L]

Yes swing arm is connected to the swing arm .
I've not taken mine out yet do can't help
With removal technique .

No Sh*t Sherlock!!!

[Wicky]

Why do you want to drop the engine?

what is the easiest way to remove storm engine ? do you have to remove swinging arm ??

do you have to remove swinging arm ??

The swing arm pivots through the engine crankcase - check the workshop knowledgebase for the PDF manual for the VTR that will set out how it attaches and what special tools are required to remove engine from frame.

If you do go down that route please document with pics the dismantling for your reference when putting it back together, other wise you'll have a jigsaw on your hands. (see recent threads by scottyhatchi who embarked on reducing his VTR to component pieces)