[boppin929]

I have an 01 blade. At the end of this last riding season it started giving me some problems. This issue only happens at idle. She will just die, and it seems like it is losing compression though the Cylinder head cover (valve cover). When it dies it kind of clunck out and then lets out a puff of smoke from the front end of the motor compartment. After further inspection I font that the cylinder head cover gasket was leaking oil. It only leaks when the bike dies out though, other wise it is fine. It is like the bike is dieing int the middle of a compression stroke and is finding the quickest way out, which is though the cylinder head cover. This is not a fuel problem, I know that for sure. It has done this about 6 to 10 times, Some times it dies and othertimes it is almost like a miss fire and then i see the smoke. Not sure if the smoke is just from the bit of oil that is hitting the header or what. Finally on december 31 the plug that is integrated into the cylinder head cover blew out... Not the bike is non operational due to the fact that the plug blows ever time I dive the bike and leaks alot of oil... Has any one had this problem before with a blade. I don't think just replacing the gasket will fix the issue. Some thing is making the bike die and something made the gasket blow. The bike doesn't idle rough has no problem getting off the line, and has no top end issue. She runs just as good as the day I bought the only issue is when it just dies.. no engine noise no signs that anything is wrong. Help.

[CBRBob]

Sounds like a loose spark plug. Starnge they way your bike is running horribly and you KEEP RIDING IT. As far as the valve cover, it has nothing to do with cylinder compression unless your head gasket has blown to an oil gallery passage. If that was the case it would be blowing the v/c gasket under high rpm, not at idle.Fix that sucker before you end up with a blown head or piston.

[CBR929RE]

is it down on oil any? could be stalling because of a blown head gasket leaking oil into the cylinder.

[boppin929]

The bike isn't running horribly! It has done this 6 to 10 times in the period of 3 months, and only dies at idle some times. A loose spart plugg? Don't you think that would have more effect on total bike performance and not just make it die every once anad awhile? The bike runs great no lose of performance. You think that a lose spark plug can blow a valve cover gasket? I will check them to make sure they are tight, but I doubt that that would cause the issue, and I assure you that if I knew what the problem was it would already be fixed. I am currently not driving it, because no matter what I need to replace the valve cover gasket now.

Thanks for the idea.

[boppin929]

If it was a blown head gasket, I would have loss of compression, along with alot of smoke out of the exhaust can from either buning oil, or coolant. Good idea though. It is a really weird probelm. I need to check the plugs like bob said, but not sure that would cause the issue.

[boppin929]

I was thinking that it could be a messed up valve spring or sleeve, or carbon build up on the piston heads, The carbon build up doesn't really make sense though, because the bike only has 11,700 miles on it, but I know that carbon build up can lead to high compression, which in turn can start blowing gaskests, not only head, but valve cover too.

Any thoughts.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by boppin929

If it was a blown head gasket, I would have loss of compression, along with alot of smoke out of the exhaust can from either buning oil, or coolant. Good idea though. It is a really weird probelm. I need to check the plugs like bob said, but not sure that would cause the issue.

yeah it was just an idea. you can burn a little oil and not notice it when riding but when you come to an idle the oil would build in the cylinder causing it to stall out.

hope you get it fixed. atleast you have another bike to ride.

[boppin929]

Yeah kinda. The 636 is my woman's bike, I squated it 4 inches, so it isn't really that fun to ride anymore, can't even pull the front end up due the the lowering which messed up all of the suspension angles.

I don't have any blow by though, if it were the head gasket after it died and I started it again, it would blow dropplets of oil when started.... I don't want to have to take it in to get it fixed, but it seems to be to strange of an issue for me to trouble shoot alone.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by boppin929

Yeah kinda. The 636 is my woman's bike, I squated it 4 inches, so it isn't really that fun to ride anymore, can't even pull the front end up due the the lowering which messed up all of the suspension angles.

I don't have any blow by though, if it were the head gasket after it died and I started it again, it would blow dropplets of oil when started.... I don't want to have to take it in to get it fixed, but it seems to be to strange of an issue for me to trouble shoot alone.

first off careful with the wheelie talk, its not allowed in here (rule #8). is the whole bike lowered or just the back? I lowered mine 3 inches and I know I'm not the fastest guy around but never really noticed it handling any worse. With my new tires I was getting more confident and getting closer to scraping the back of the lower fairing and pegs but haven't yet.


true. was the valve check done at 16k? if it was maybe something got screwed up when it was done. if not maybe getting it done will help find the problem.

[boppin929]

The bike only has 11,700 on it, I was thinking the same thing, that it might need the valve check early.

Did you drop the triple trees after you droped the rear end? I did. Her bike before the 636 was an 02 SV. I lowered that one too, and had the same issue, it throws the suspension lines off which inturn keeps the front wheel pretty much always on the ground. The handling is still fine, just no ups.
Since I lowered the 636 the very bottom plastic is only 3/4 inches off the ground.. LOW! Needs to be though, she is only 4 11 and 1/2.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by boppin929

The bike only has 11,700 on it, I was thinking the same thing, that it might need the valve check early.

Did you drop the triple trees after you droped the rear end? I did. Her bike before the 636 was an 02 SV. I lowered that one too, and had the same issue, it throws the suspension lines off which inturn keeps the front wheel pretty much always on the ground. The handling is still fine, just no ups.
Since I lowered the 636 the very bottom plastic is only 3/4 inches off the ground.. LOW! Needs to be though, she is only 4 11 and 1/2.

oh I thought you said 17k. sorry

no I just did the back. thought about the front but not that necessary, I don't get both feet down flat but close enough, if I have to back it up a hill I'll get off and do it. I think I might bring it back up next season (I have a threaded bolt link, its in my gallery if you wanna see it). 3/4 inches damn thats low, gotta be scraping with it that low. I don't do wheelies so I don't care if its easier or harder to lift, I prefer to keep it on the ground and find a turn, a lot more fun leaning the bike over.

and just to help you out I wouldn't mention popping it up anymore if you wanna stay on this site.

[CBR Riding Fool]

Hold your computer up to your bike so I can take a closer look



Do a compression and leak down test for starters. look for oil on the spark plugs. Check every electrical connector to the coils, and all the vac hoses. Sounds wierd to have oil blowing out the valve cover do to pressure build up with out some major blow by via a bad piston ring or blown head gasket or a crack. The leak down test will check for that.

[Rigor]

look inside your airbox for excessive oil deposits. a fine "film" may be normal, but no more. if you have what appears to be lots-O-oil in the airbox, suspect a possible blocked, or pinched crankcase breather hose. if hose/breather system is fine, (a service manual will show which hose(s) are crankcase hoses) then i would suspect something else, possibly gasket or more seriously related.

excessive crankcase pressure could cause your problem, but something else caused the excessive pressure. a broken ring would more than likely give you a rough idle, due to low RPM/loss of compression issue. not that a head gasket violation into an oilport is ruled out, just not likely, from what it sounds. keep us posted.........

[Joel]

Originally Posted by boppin929

Finally on december 31 the plug that is integrated into the cylinder head cover blew out...

What plug? Is the oil level correct? What's the inside of the air box look like?

[RPinOZ]

I'd say the bike needs a good mechanic's tender touch.

[Rigor]

Originally Posted by RPinOZ

I'd say the bike needs a good mechanic's tender touch.

or a creative way to make it an insurance claim................

(did i say that outloud....................?)

[athos]

BUMP

wondering if anyone else has had this problem ? my bike has been doing the exact same thing and no one has figured it out yet.

[bugsy46]

Hiya,

A popular problem on these bikes causing a blown valve cover gasket is down to the alternator. The stator wires overheat causing misting of the oil. This oil is too much for the crankcase breather pipe to cope with and instead it blows the rubber gasket out. Check the stator wires for darkness and/or a charcoaled effect. In fact I have an RR-Y on my ramp now with the same problem,

let me know how you get on

danny

[athos]

I got my blade back only this morning and that was exactly right.The mechanics ended up contacting HONDA and was told they had reports of four 10000cc blades having done it too.

[oconnor]

Im glad I read this thread because it puts me at ease now. My 929 blew the valve cover out the same way in the same spot as stated in this thread on my 01 929. I replaced it and not a week later my stator went. I was concerned about what caused it to blow and that always lingered in the back of my mind. Now I know thanks for the peace of mind I have now.

[oconnor]

And my stator was burnt and charcoaled just as bugsy46 said.