[Discussion] Technical - D.I.Y On Your Super Four!

[William Tan]

Let me help you with that Floopy..

 

There are quite a few ways you can lose engine oil.

 

External leaks can occur at:

 

. Cam-cover gaskets.

. Clutch cover gaskets.

. Alternator gaskets.

. Oil-sink/sump gasket.

. Gear shifter oil seal.

. Cam-cover-screw oil seal.

. Sprocket oil seal.

. Hydraulic clutch rod oil seal (for those with hydraulic clutch)

 

There could be a few more. Normally once a bad leak occur, you will find that your oil level is decreasing rapidly (300ml/week or 2 weeks, could be more.) or you will find drops of oil at the space where you park.

 

Close observation at the above mentioned areas could also uncover very minor leaks which is not corrected, could worsen to a full-blown leak.

 

Most mechanics will order gaskets in set i.e. A-set (top of engine), B-set (bottom of engine), etc. This is done to save cost and also to lessen the possibility of leaks mhappening in other areas.

 

 

Internal leaks happen when your O-rings are worn and no longer retain their original shape (or something like that) allowing engine oil into the combustion chamber.

 

When this happens, thick smoke will be emitted from the exhaust (4-stroke bikes behaving like 2-stroke bikes).

 

Another way of seeing will be at your plugs. If your plugs are stained with thick shiny layer of black oil, but no smoke is coming out of your exhaust (yet), then you better do something about it quick. This normally requires a top-overhaul to change the piston rings.

 

White-smoke coming out of the exhaust could also signify a combustion-chamber-gasket internal leak. This causes your coolant to seep/flow into the combustion chamber thus causing smoke to come out of your exhaust as well as coolant being boiled at the overflow-reservoir. This also requires a top-overhaul to change the gaskets.

 

Mind y'll, overhaul is not cheap. So is changing a whole set of gaskets. Do be prepared to burn quite a hole in your pocket. And please, this is concerning the heart of your bike. Go to a reliable mechanic and not some shop reputable for providing cheap services.

 

In this world, cheap do not normally associate with quality.

 

That's all about engine oil leaks. If more info is needed, do let me know.

[floppy]

Originally posted by William Tan@Sep 27 2005, 03:36 PM

Let me help you with that Floopy..

 

That's all about engine oil leaks. If more info is needed, do let me know.

:thumb:

 

very detailed and about as comprehensive as anyone could get

 

:bow:

[William Tan]

Originally posted by floppy@Sep 27 2005, 03:55 PM

:thumb:

 

very detailed and about as comprehensive as anyone could get

 

:bow:

No need for that bro.

 

As a rider myself, I find that it is important we share information so that all others regardless of newbie or lao jiao, can learn from one another, so as to prevent mishaps from happening and other riders from being carrots to unscrupulous bike shops.

 

Just take a look at what Spectrum is doing. That is one rider who definitely deserves respect.

[floppy]

Originally posted by William Tan@Sep 27 2005, 04:03 PM

No need for that bro.

 

As a rider myself, I find that it is important we share information so that all others regardless of newbie or lao jiao, can learn from one another, so as to prevent mishaps from happening and other riders from being carrots to unscrupulous bike shops.

 

Just take a look at what Spectrum is doing. That is one rider who definitely deserves respect.

i agree.

 

it is impt to share info (and to qualify my statement: the right one). some of the info on the forum (urs and spectrum's excluded) r quite frankly mind boggling hopefully, as more correct info are shared, those "myths" and "fictions" can disappear.

[William Tan]

Originally posted by floppy@Sep 27 2005, 04:20 PM

i agree.

 

it is impt to share info (and to qualify my statement: the right one). some of the info on the forum (urs and spectrum's excluded) r quite frankly mind boggling hopefully, as more correct info are shared, those "myths" and "fictions" can disappear.

Yeah man...

 

Especially about the one about making a super 4 go faster by adding 2T.

[kennethy]

thanks for the info...

 

absolutely agree about the sharing portion.

 

however, there are always some urban legends and tales that pass from one to the other out there...

 

i personnal came across a number of them and at times there is no means of verifying them... it is really good to have you people like yourselves in the forum...

[Guest quizesilver]

thanks you very much in making this diy session a informative one!

[Guest quizesilver]

guys

u all need how many Water Wetter? $20+/- $2

1.

2.

 

Eo 10W40 $22 +/- $2

1.

2.

 

so that he will bring enuff for all.

[andyann1]

I am thinking of flushing the coolant, but not sure what I need to get?

[Derf]

Hi Guys,

 

Apologise for riding on the thread.

 

Tot u guys are into DIY and may know what is the spark plug

that I should buy for my Version S.

Went to the shop and they didn't know. I don't know what is the

number for the plugs I should buy as well. I am looking for the

NGK from Japan type. Should it be, (long leg or short leg) type?

 

thanks in advance for the infor.

 

regards,

[Guest quizesilver]

Originally posted by andyann1@Sep 27 2005, 11:31 PM

I am thinking of flushing the coolant, but not sure what I need to get?

u will need to have coolant of cos and distill water = battery water

[Guest quizesilver]

Originally posted by Derf@Sep 27 2005, 11:49 PM

Hi Guys,

 

Apologise for riding on the thread.

 

Tot u guys are into DIY and may know what is the spark plug

that I should buy for my Version S.

Went to the shop and they didn't know. I don't know what is the

number for the plugs I should buy as well. I am looking for the

NGK from Japan type. Should it be, (long leg or short leg) type?

 

thanks in advance for the infor.

 

regards,

get from NGK with red box it is specific to the type of the engine spec.

saw before it is available at planet.

[lindavw]

WW 2 bottles pls... but y hor +/- $2? tot is $20 flat fee?

[andyann1]

Thanks for the advice......pai sei, but I'm a newbie to this. Really sorry to have to ask a couple more questions.

 

How much coolant and distilled water do I have to get for a flush? Also what is the water wetter for? and how do I use it?

 

What kind of spark plugs do I need for my Spec II?

[burningacid]

thanks to floppy and William_Tan, didn't expect such comprehensive replies from a simple qs. which i tink is the good thing abt the forum..

 

i guess, the correct way of measuring the old/replaced EO is while it is still in the engine inside and not after it flow out into the pail/container ? as in using the dipstick?

[floppy]

Originally posted by andyann1@Sep 28 2005, 07:55 AM

Thanks for the advice......pai sei, but I'm a newbie to this. Really sorry to have to ask a couple more questions.

 

How much coolant and distilled water do I have to get for a flush? Also what is the water wetter for? and how do I use it?

 

What kind of spark plugs do I need for my Spec II?

coolant/distilled water: 2+ L or 3+ L, i can't remember (as good as no say)

water wetter is added to the distilled water/water and it works as an inhibitant to prevent scaling and rust (2 byproduct of water based coolant). basically u juz mix it with the water at some magic proportions (30ml to 1L I think).

 

spark plugs u have a lot of choices: normal, platinium, iridium, twin, etc. some gives u more power, others last longer. just go with ur pocket. respectable brands one will work well.

[kennethy]

Originally posted by burningacid@Sep 28 2005, 09:07 AM

thanks to floppy and William_Tan, didn't expect such comprehensive replies from a simple qs. which i tink is the good thing abt the forum..

 

i guess, the correct way of measuring the old/replaced EO is while it is still in the engine inside and not after it flow out into the pail/container ? as in using the dipstick?

dipstick is even more subjective.... cos the stick is only and 'indicator'... does not have reading off it, like at what level is how many litres...

 

also, the dipstick is only effective if you know how to properly use it; like have to straighten the bike and not tile it, have to do it while engine is cold (not after some riding) etc...

[kennethy]

anyway, I going to ah boy to get spark plugs, NGK platinmum...

 

another else interested?

[burningacid]

Originally posted by kennethy@Sep 28 2005, 11:51 AM

dipstick is even more subjective.... cos the stick is only and 'indicator'... does not have reading off it, like at what level is how many litres...

 

also, the dipstick is only effective if you know how to properly use it; like have to straighten the bike and not tile it, have to do it while engine is cold (not after some riding) etc...

i tink the EO shld nt be check when its cold.. best is to warm up the bike for at least a min then off it and let the bike cool down for 10mins before checking.. well, at least this is wat army taught me during BOS for vehicles..

 

btw, like what floppy mentioned, if the level on the dipstick is ard the upper mark of the dipstick, i guess shld be fine. anything ard the mid point or less than that means something is wrong. and yes, bike shld be upright..

[Guest quizesilver]

what the issue with dip stick now?

when we dun use it?

look at the glass window below to see the level.

 

btw it shld be measured after some warm up.

cheers

[Guest quizesilver]

guys

u all need how many Water Wetter? $20 +/- $2 (haha hoping he will reduce for u all lor)

1. lindavw x 02

2. kennethy x 01

total: 03

 

Eo 10W40 $22 +/- $2

1.

2.

 

so that he will bring enuff for all.

[andyann1]

Thanks guys. Please also include me for 1 x Water Wetter.

[andyann1]

Thanks guys. Please include me for 1 x water wetter.

[kennethy]

Originally posted by quizesilver@Sep 28 2005, 06:52 PM

guys

u all need how many Water Wetter? $20 +/- $2 (haha hoping he will reduce for u all lor)

1. lindavw x 02

2. kennethy x 01

total: 03

 

Eo 10W40 $22 +/- $2

1.

2.

 

so that he will bring enuff for all.

yo quicky,

 

your Eo 10W40 $22 +/- $2 is per bottle? what brand?

[fabian]

Originally posted by kennethy@Sep 28 2005, 11:58 AM

anyway, I going to ah boy to get spark plugs, NGK platinmum...

 

another else interested?

How much for one spark plug?

Must change all four?

Which EO should i get?How much per bottle?How many bottles to get?

I'm riding a ver S.