Top End Work

[foo]

Hi!

So it seems the engine on my bike might need some top end work. The guys at dynoverks think it probably needs rings replaced and they suspect it might have burnt inlet valve.
Price wise, who knows approx how much I'd be up for and places in melb that they can recommend?

Felicity

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

what model trx do you have ??.. first couple of yrs had problems with valves stretching (around 50,000km onwards)
Expensive time ahead and reality check time....
If still running ok weather to offload the bike and find another TRX or better the devil you know and fork out..well I can see a bike shop hitting you up for at least $1500.
Check out the reality check for OZ trx prices thread and see what you can get for your money..

[davamb]

...The guys at dynoverks think it probably needs rings replaced and they suspect it might have burnt inlet valve...

They think this work needs doing or they know it does Foo? What are they telling you that convinces you that the bike needs this done to it? If you're mechanically competent, you can do all this work yourself. Both M.V. and I have been down this route ourselves in the last 12 months. PS in Ringwood supplied all my parts, but I've recently not been too happy with them:

How the hell does this work - you ring Clipstone in Ringwood to order replacement TRX sprockets, they've been taken over by PS. Ok, PS don't have exactly what I want ratio-wise, but it's convenient for me, so I order both front and rear. Nope, my word's not good enough, they have to have my credit card details before they'll secure the parts. Ok, nothing new there. Hour later they call to say the parts will be in stock Thursday morning and I can collect. Cool. Went there this morning on the way to work, nope, no front sprocket. Come back tomorrow. They shut too early Friday night for me to get there, will have to be Saturday. Unimpressed.

then

Just noticed I missed a call on my 'phone - while I was driving from PS to work. They'd called to say they had found the front cog, it was there afterall. Aaaaaaargh!

then

...went to PS this morning to get my sprockets and naturally enough, I asked for a discount for being jerked around. Although the kid at the counter seemed sympathetic, there was nothing he could do - turns out I'd paid for it already. Those credit card details handed over by 'phone weren't to be used in case I failed to turn up, they were used then and there to pay for the goods! I said that this was the last time they would get any business from me and left. Credit card aside, an apology would not have gone astray. Did I mention that I was unimpressed?

then

But wait! There's more! The PS farce continues. Bought a new chain today so all set to do the set. Now you'd never guess - PS has given me the wrong pitch rear sprocket. What a surprise. Another trip to their shop. UNIMPRESSED.

then

I rang and asked to speak to the spare parts manager. Got my apology and the promise that the sprocket will be changed over. Went there this morning, embedded the wrong sprocket in the pimply kid's face, grabbed the new one and stomped out in high dudgeon. (Managed that last bit without knocking anything over on the way out too.)

Just sayin' is all...

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

How much ballpark total you reacon for parts and any work outsourced...

[phuk72]

As has been said, what makes them "think" there is a problem? Have they stripped the top end?

Not sure about your Johnny Foreigner money but the last time I changed the rings on a TRX (couple of years ago) they were around £50 plus the gaskets.

If you (or a friend paid in beer) can drop the engine out (it really isn't difficult) or strip the bike down and deliver it, that will save you a fair bit in labour. And if you can read a manual, you can have a go at rings.

Different story if there really is valve damage.

[Mincehead]

+1

[foo]

Well davamb, I can do simple things and would like to think that I'm mechanically competent but I think the reality is that this would be beyond me.
Basically, they dyno tuned the bike and made a lot of improvements with the jetting, but it's misfiring on idle and it's apparently blowing a little smoke.
They didn't strip it because that wasn't what I had dropped the bike in there for and they didn't want to spend my money on their labour without my say so first.
I believe it's a 97...

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

plus inlet valves mate.. read the thread

[phuk72]

plus inlet valves mate.. read the thread

Where in the thread does it say it NEEDS inlet valves

Read the thread

[cobbadiggabuddyblooo]

burnt inlet valve

[phuk72]

You appear to be glossing over "they suspect it might have"

I'm not saying it isn't but that before we scare Foo to death with horror stories and $1500 estimates, we look at this sensibly.

Let's pick off the smoke first cos that can really only be valves or rings. Do you know if the valve clearances have been adjusted / checked?

As for the lumpy idle, again that could be a number of issues - which could include valves. And I can see how smoke plus lumpy idle equals a diagnosis of burnt valve but it doesn't mean it is right.

It could be any number of things causing the lumpy idle (I'll exlcude fuel as I presume as it has been on a dyno they've got that right) - coil, plugs, head gasket, carbon build up on valves.

Bottom line is that you need to get the head off so see if you can find a mate who will help you. It will save you lots

[Mincehead]

Valve stem oil seals too remember, they`ll give oil burning on the overun and when the motor`s cold too. Yep, definately a head off for inspection job required though.

[phuk72]

Valve stem oil seals too remember, they`ll give oil burning on the overun and when the motor`s cold too. Yep, definately a head off for inspection job required though.

Good point - I had just included that under "valves" but you are right. Especially as this is more common IME than actual valve damage

[davamb]

Well davamb, I can do simple things and would like to think that I'm mechanically competent but I think the reality is that this would be beyond me.

I thought the same before I overhauled mine Foo, I was even scared of doing any work on my Norton. Since then I've overhauled the Norton head and done top-end work on my old MX5. It's not difficult, it just takes common sense, time and patience, a good (warm, dry and well-lit) workspace, a manual, a digital camera (trust me) and someone to help juggle the heavy bits. The engine does not need to come out of the frame, though it may be quicker and easier if you do remove it. There's no special tools required other than a torque wrench.

Basically, they dyno tuned the bike and made a lot of improvements with the jetting, but it's misfiring on idle and it's apparently blowing a little smoke.
They didn't strip it because that wasn't what I had dropped the bike in there for and they didn't want to spend my money on their labour without my say so first. I believe it's a 97...

I'd be after a second opinion myself and compression and leak-down tests if you can before going anywhere near a spanner. Then, if you're convinced further investigation is required - labour is still going to double your costs, so it's still worth pulling the head and block off to have a squizz. I'd be looking at those valves and seats and for signs the rings didn't bed in (hone marks).

[Mincehead]

Indeed, I know my own are hardened, the oil burning when cold and on the overrun is definately due to those 1996 originals being compromised by age and wear.
Irrespective of mileage oil will eventually harden viton.