[Technical] Possible Solutions to your Phantom's Problem

[followthelaw]

New thread below with pics

Edited April 27, 2011 by followthelaw
new thread

[naim]

I just took over my phantom on sat.. After riding around the whole day, dat night, bike cannot even turn on liao. ie. turn key to on, not even the neutral light came on..

 

I tot battery if gonna die, at least got signs like difficult to start at first. but b4 that, everything was normal.

Issit just the battery, or could be something else(like IU) draining the batt totally while it was off? =/

 

best if u hv a voltmeter... if u can get ur engine started, measure hw much is the voltage.. if its 14+ volts, then ur electricals are fine, except ur batter can't hold charge.. if its lesser, then im pretty sure sumting might be up wif ur rectifier or magnetic coil..

[madevo]

most probably he battery unable to hold charge ...over the night..

try push start....can start confirm elecricals okay.. ..if it canno start ..

but could be a problem with dirty plugs,filter, petrol..get all these check and clean/change...if neccessary.

 

best if u hv a voltmeter... if u can get ur engine started, measure hw much is the voltage.. if its 14+ volts, then ur electricals are fine, except ur batter can't hold charge.. if its lesser, then im pretty sure sumting might be up wif ur rectifier or magnetic coil..

 

Hey guys.. Thanks. Your right.. The battery had only 6V of juice left in it! I guess it couldnt keep the charge.

Got it replaced and all is good!

[followthelaw]

ok ok.....i include pics

 

Hi all SBikers,

 

A thin film of engine oil seem to be forming at the area where the extractor is,mechanic say the gasket must change and also must apply new gum at the area. However,got 2 schools of thoughts:-

 

Some mechanics said:-

Nvr mind,no big deal. But must check engine oil,make sure not dried up.Even at the area got thin film,engine oil also cannot leak until dried. To leak 1.3l of EO oil dried must be very serious......so leave it.

 

Other mechanic said:-

Must change and rectify the issue,anything that leaks no good in the long run.

 

Price:-

Some quote $55 for the job and take 2 days. Some quote $70 and said few hours enough already. Dun know how to decide???

Anyone can recommend a good n reputable WS.....pricing reasonable also!!!! West area

Edited April 27, 2011 by followthelaw
with pics

[rei_majimaz]

Hi guys, after reading thru the detailed explainations. I still cannot determine my phantom problem. My engine died off a few times on the road after the heavy rain ynite. After getting home last night safely, I realised I cant start my engine at all this morning. I tried again in the evening and now I hear a "tick tick tick" sound when I start the engine. So my Question is ; do you guys think its a spark plug problem or battery/rectifier issue??

[jB]

ok ok.....i include pics

 

Hi all SBikers,

 

A thin film of engine oil seem to be forming at the area where the extractor is,mechanic say the gasket must change and also must apply new gum at the area. However,got 2 schools of thoughts:-

 

Some mechanics said:-

Nvr mind,no big deal. But must check engine oil,make sure not dried up.Even at the area got thin film,engine oil also cannot leak until dried. To leak 1.3l of EO oil dried must be very serious......so leave it.

 

Other mechanic said:-

Must change and rectify the issue,anything that leaks no good in the long run.

 

Price:-

Some quote $55 for the job and take 2 days. Some quote $70 and said few hours enough already. Dun know how to decide???

Anyone can recommend a good n reputable WS.....pricing reasonable also!!!! West area

 

2 days maybe because their busy. To charge u 55 for 2 days of yr bike there is cheap lol. I agree whatever leaks is bad in the long run.

 

 

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[jB]

Hi guys, after reading thru the detailed explainations. I still cannot determine my phantom problem. My engine died off a few times on the road after the heavy rain ynite. After getting home last night safely, I realised I cant start my engine at all this morning. I tried again in the evening and now I hear a "tick tick tick" sound when I start the engine. So my Question is ; do you guys think its a spark plug problem or battery/rectifier issue??

 

Your spark plug could be wet so try removing the cap and yr plug to dry, the tick sound is your starter probably. There are many reasons a bike can have to not work, exposed wires etc so we can only guess online with what you've described. For best diagnosis, seek the doctor

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

[rei_majimaz]

Oh, alright thanks. I try letting the plug dry first b4 seeing the doc. The doc is ah chong right?

[Zhi Ming]

Hi guys, after reading thru the detailed explainations. I still cannot determine my phantom problem. My engine died off a few times on the road after the heavy rain ynite. After getting home last night safely, I realised I cant start my engine at all this morning. I tried again in the evening and now I hear a "tick tick tick" sound when I start the engine. So my Question is ; do you guys think its a spark plug problem or battery/rectifier issue??

 

 

Most likely spark plug problem , when i first got my bike also kanna this kind of die in rain problem. Just go to ah chong.

[CSV]

its probably your spark plug cap. rain water gets in, spark plug cannot fire properly.

 

cost 18 bucks to change spark plug cap at ah chong.

 

as for the leaking issue the other biker had, looks pretty bad. bring to ah chong let him see? best method. 1.3l of oil is too much for phantom. 1L is just nice. don't listen to what other shop say. manual says 1L, you just pour 1L.

[GregTay67]

My back brake get stuck once in awhile. Have to step several times to release the jam. Anyone got this problem before?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

My back brake get stuck once in awhile have to step several times to release the jam. Anyone got this problem before?

 

Rear brake piston needs servicing, check the brake fluid level while you're at it. Cheap job at planet motors :3 Now can go!

 

The rear brake assembly loves to rust due to its location. Rust impedes the piston's operation after "a while". Like, years of rainy weather"

[GregTay67]

Rear brake piston needs servicing, check the brake fluid level while you're at it. Cheap job at planet motors :3 Now can go!

 

The rear brake assembly loves to rust due to its location. Rust impedes the piston's operation after "a while". Like, years of rainy weather"

 

Ok. Will go planet on Tuesday. Need to change eo as well.

[jB]

Oh, alright thanks. I try letting the plug dry first b4 seeing the doc. The doc is ah chong right?

who else apart from Rossi and Chong is the Doctor?

My back brake get stuck once in awhile. Have to step several times to release the jam. Anyone got this problem before?

Good oppportunity to overhaul your rear brake calipers due to brake dust in piston, flush your brake fluid if its old and this could actually be contributed by your brake pump.

[burnnnn46]

Okay I only realized now that I have this problem. My bike damn hard to start at most times. Like the first time I push the starter button. The bike squeaks like hell. Only after I release and push again then it starts. And sometimes it takes like 6 tries to get it started.

 

SO WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

 

Only realized I had this problem after I tried my friend's bike and noticed that his bike was damn easy to start.

[Silent Hunter]

Hi guys, after reading thru the detailed explainations. I still cannot determine my phantom problem. My engine died off a few times on the road after the heavy rain ynite. After getting home last night safely, I realised I cant start my engine at all this morning. I tried again in the evening and now I hear a "tick tick tick" sound when I start the engine. So my Question is ; do you guys think its a spark plug problem or battery/rectifier issue??

 

Probably both spark plug not tight enough, water getting in when rainning and also battery flat.

 

If only battery flat, you can push start. Revv hard for 10-15 mins preferably with headlight off to recharge. If after revving hard for 15 mins immediately off engine and bike still cannot start, then rectifier spoil.

 

(can start= spark plug can work, but might still be loosen and leaking rain water in)

 

To check spark plug place your hand over the spark plug when the engine is running. If got air coming out, it's not tighten properly and is leaking air. Can DIY tighten, free.

Edited May 5, 2011 by Silent Hunter

[Jeslyn22]

Hi, 2 days ago my TA200 died suddenly on ECP. Couldn't restart at first, but after 3mins, managed to restart with a little more throttling. Immediately rode on to Planet. Chong changed EO, spark plug and air filter. The drained EO was just a little ~one third of a litre. This morning, after start up, realized there is quite a lot of white smoke from the exhaust. Doesn't smell of water. Read on this forum that may need to change piston rings. Questions

 

1) Is it safe to ride to Planet for repair?

2) Is it considered a overhaul costing $380 or just a change of the piston rings(the approx. cost)?

3) any other likely cause + solutions?

 

Thanks in advance

[Silent Hunter]

1) Probably can make it, but it's a risk. Risk is relatively low, since you got new engine oil.

2) To change the piston ring we need to do a top overhaul to remove the top block. It's around that price.

3) Only thing I can think of is morning dew in the exhaust getting blown out as steam, but since you said it's not water, the rings are probably worn out.

 

Hope that helps.

[GregTay67]

Hi, 2 days ago my TA200 died suddenly on ECP. Couldn't restart at first, but after 3mins, managed to restart with a little more throttling. Immediately rode on to Planet. Chong changed EO, spark plug and air filter. The drained EO was just a little ~one third of a litre. This morning, after start up, realized there is quite a lot of white smoke from the exhaust. Doesn't smell of water. Read on this forum that may need to change piston rings. Questions

 

1) Is it safe to ride to Planet for repair?

2) Is it considered a overhaul costing $380 or just a change of the piston rings(the approx. cost)?

3) any other likely cause + solutions?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Your engine oil getting into the combustion chamber already. That's why when you changed oil there was only one third litre. Your engine oil is getting mixed with the petrol and burn off and that's why you see white smoke. I recommend you use a tow truck service. Only $25 per trip. Better not damage the rest of your engine. Full overhaul repair cost a lot more

[Jeslyn22]

Tks for yr replies Silent Hunter & GregTay67

 

Just spoke to Ah Chong, he says can ride there from Tampines, not too far. Will probably do so tmr or monday.

 

I supposed there are no other options other than a 'top overhaul' ya? Years ago, Ah Koon recommended a kind 'no smoke treatment' that is added to EO during one of my servicing. Will this help or the piston is confirmed a goner?

 

Another question is should I consider scraping my FW instead? COE Expiry Date: 15 Apr 2013, done 85km. I browsed through some ads and guessed it might be worth perhaps just $800?

 

Any suggestions?

[GregTay67]

Tks for yr replies Silent Hunter & GregTay67

 

Just spoke to Ah Chong, he says can ride there from Tampines, not too far. Will probably do so tmr or monday.

 

I supposed there are no other options other than a 'top overhaul' ya? Years ago, Ah Koon recommended a kind 'no smoke treatment' that is added to EO during one of my servicing. Will this help or the piston is confirmed a goner?

 

Another question is should I consider scraping my FW instead? COE Expiry Date: 15 Apr 2013, done 85km. I browsed through some ads and guessed it might be worth perhaps just $800?

 

Any suggestions?

 

Looks like no escape from doing a top overhaul as your piston is worn out due to natural wear and tear. You will also not be able to sell when the buyer sees white smoke coming out of the exhaust, unless the person is ignorant. My bike is also FW and Coe expiring in April as well. Still long way to go. Just fix it up and keep on using it. COE now is very high and you will spend a lot getting another bike.

[Jeslyn22]

Still lots of smoke at start up. They smell, definitely not water. I kinda like the smell of water, so I know. Thought I'd stop by Aljunied for lunch on my way to Planet. After lunch still smoking. But about 2km from Planet - no more smoke or smell. I was worried all the EO is gone. Anyway, told Chong my suspicion is the piston rings. He checked the EO, still almost 1 litre. He top up another 200ml. Start engine, still no smoke. He refused to accept any $ for the EO. What a great guy!

 

Now I don't know what's going on. Is it possible some crap (deposits) sealed it up?

What was it that killed the engine on ECP? If there is a high temperature engine cut-off sort-of safety device, I can understand as it was a very hot mid-day when it happened.

What should I be looking out for now?

[GregTay67]

Still lots of smoke at start up. They smell, definitely not water. I kinda like the smell of water, so I know. Thought I'd stop by Aljunied for lunch on my way to Planet. After lunch still smoking. But about 2km from Planet - no more smoke or smell. I was worried all the EO is gone. Anyway, told Chong my suspicion is the piston rings. He checked the EO, still almost 1 litre. He top up another 200ml. Start engine, still no smoke. He refused to accept any $ for the EO. What a great guy!

 

Now I don't know what's going on. Is it possible some crap (deposits) sealed it up?

What was it that killed the engine on ECP? If there is a high temperature engine cut-off sort-of safety device, I can understand as it was a very hot mid-day when it happened.

What should I be looking out for now?

 

Buy one bottle of engine oil and put in your top box. Look out for the smoke again. Check oil level everytime before and after you ride (cool down bike first). You should have asked Chong to tune your engine. If your engine running too lean then it will overheat. Maybe engine block expand causing engine oil to bypass the piston ring. Try to ask someone experienced to lower the air intake. This might stop the overheating.

[Silent Hunter]

If you know which screw to turn, can tune on your own. 10 secs job.

[jeffrey83]

Hi guys,

 

Need Help here. Have been experiencing same problem.

1) along the way, my both signal lights is blinking weakly. No horn at all.

After I stopped, I off and tried to start. But Totally can't on it. Neutral also no light.

2) battery is new. Fuse is fine.

3) went to planet, vitality, chai fatt. Planet and vitality asked me change battery, which I did. Chai fatt told me is wiring problem. They rectified problem last week. But just now, same problem happened again. have to push start to start the engine.

Am at a loss now, don noe which shop I can turn to!!

Anyone knows what the problem. Pls! I need help!

Thanks.