oil problem?

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 2:10 PM

Alrighty, I did something stupid. I figured I would go ahead and throw that one out there to (hopefully) aviod hearing it a million times...

I was riding around on the CBR600 I had just recently bought from an individual... well he had let it sit for a little while, and once I bought it I didnt think to get it serviced.

I have been riding it for almost a month now, and apparently the oil is a tad low... as in, when I was coming off the highway today, the bike just kinda "sputtered out", almost like it was out of gas. Then the oil light came on.

I did not hear any "bad" sounds (metal, pinging, clanging, ect...) so I wheeled it into a parking lot, got some oil and hoped that putting some in there would help... it didnt... the engine does not want to turn over. Or, if it does turn over, it will only be running for a few seconds before it putters out. (again, similar to being out of gas kinda puttering)

Anyways, other than the fact that I am an IDIOT for not getting the bike serviced when I got it... are there any other ideas, suggestions? Thanks!

bonham · 07-17-2008, 2:18 PM

I don't think you have an oil problem. If your engine stalls, you'll see an oil pressure light come on simply because the pump isn't running anymore. You should see it every time you turn your ignition on.

I'm betting you have a fuel/air delivery problem. How long was the bike sitting? How many tanks of gas have you gone through since you purchased the bike? What year is the CBR? It will make a big difference in troubleshooting if it's carb vs. fuel injected.

Jhellstr · 07-17-2008, 2:22 PM

Did you check the oil level ts see if it was in deed out of oil? It does not sound like an oil problem.
You can't just simply add oil because you think that might be the problem. You need to verify that it does in fact need oil based upon the level in the crankcase.

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 2:22 PM

thanks for the reply, it's a 04 CBR (fuel injected, of course)

I've been through about 6-8 tanks of gas, and it has been running fine up until now.

the main reason I figured it was a oil problem (other than the light which made me check the gauge) was that the oil gauge was really low...

bonham · 07-17-2008, 2:42 PM

When you say oil gauge, do you mean the dip stick? I'm not familiar with that particular bike. I do know that you have to check the stick with the bike level, on a center stand for instance. I know when I tried to check mine on the sidestand, it didn't even touch the oil, and I had a full case.

I'm glad you've run a few tanks of gas through the bike, that means that bad gas probably isn't the issue. The gas that was in there might have clogged the injectors, though.

The reason I'm betting on fuel delivery is that if you had actually run the bike out of oil, you likely would have overheated it and seized the motor. In that event, there's no way it would spin again. My old VFR700 used to do what yours does now, which is to start and get me as far as the freeway after which it would cut out -- usually on a downhill -- and I'd coast for half a mile while trying to restart it.

If you're up for doing some wrenching, I'd start by checking the fuel pump and injectors. Vacuum lines can also be a culprit. A service manual is worth its weight in gold here. If you are going to take it to the shop, see if you can pin down the conditions that cause it to sputter out. Is it only after you rev the engine to a certain point? Or is it after the engine warms up? If it's the latter, it may be the case that the engine doesn't have enough fuel after the automatic choke finishes its duty.

Anyway, those are my 'i am not a mechanic' two cents. Good luck with the troubleshooting, I'm holding out hope that it's an easy fix.

bonham · 07-17-2008, 2:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmcelroy2002

thanks for the reply, it's a 04 CBR (fuel injected, of course)

Heh, I guess I could have just read your profile there.

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 2:46 PM

ehh... it happens

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 3:01 PM

oops, didnt see your reply up there.

the bike has a window on the crank case, I leveled the bike up and checked it. it was definately low. I dont think I overheated and siezed it up, because it did crank back up, and again, no "bad' sounds.

the bike doesnt really let me rev it at all when/if it turns over. it stays at a lot idle, and if i try to twist the throttle, it does the sputter putter die routine on me.

I suppose I am going to try and take it to a shop, I would try and work on it myself, however I am at a slight lack of repair manual at the moment. ( i may see if I can download one...)

thanks

Red Rider · 07-17-2008, 4:56 PM

Is it giving any fault codes? When you start it, is it real slow to turn over?

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 6:21 PM

I didnt notice any codes on the dash.

and as for turning over... it seemed normal when it did actually turn over. it would turn, and then putter out.

BigBassTurd · 07-17-2008, 6:51 PM

"The bike doesnt really let me rev it at all when/if it turns over. it stays at a lot idle, and if i try to twist the throttle, it does the sputter putter die routine on me."

This makes me think it is A/F ratio problem too. Maybe bad/clogged injector, bad o2 sensor, Power commander map got jacked up somehow(if you have one). Check your plugs and make sure they have a nice milk choclate brown color to them, the gapping is right and they have spark too. You should be able to tell if the A/F is off by the color of the plugs.

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 6:54 PM

I will make sure to check that tonight once I get the bike home and let you know what the deal is there...

thanks guys.

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 10:49 PM

ok, new "problem"... I am trying to get this @!*&ing radiator off to check the plugs and (according to the service manual that I recently obtained) it says that once you have disconnected all of the bolts, screws, ect, the last step is to "release the radiator grommet from the frame boss by moving the radiator to the left side and downward"

they make it sound so friggin easy... like it just slides right off. well it DOESNT! and its starting to tick me off... at this point I am just venting/taking a break, and hopefully I will be able to get the darn thing off by the time someone can respond to tell me some sure fire easy way to get the darn thing off...

but just in case I cant... can someone give me a tip!?!
thanks

rmcelroy2002 · 07-17-2008, 11:05 PM

nevermind... I found the trick to it... apparently you just have to get really pissed off at it first. then it comes right off.

rmcelroy2002 · 07-18-2008, 12:05 AM

ok, upon further "inspection" it sounds like there may be a knocking in or around the crank case area...

i would assume that generally means that I'm screwed, yea?

so lets just say I ran it out of oil, and then something in the engine screwed up and is now knocking... it can still turn over, but i can not give it any gas, and it only stays turned over for a few seconds before it putters out.

can anyone tell me what I may be looking at here? repair/cost wise? WHAA!

rmcelroy2002 · 07-21-2008, 1:19 AM

ok...

i checked the plugs, they didnt look too bad, but I went ahead and put some new ones in there, regardless.

i disconnect the power commander I had hooked up, just in case it was screwed up...

from what im told, it's not siezed up being that it still turns over, and it even cuts on for a couple of seconds at the time. it's just darn aggrivating at this point. looks like i will have to take it to a pro.

corona · 07-21-2008, 4:10 PM

Hi all quick update on my RR8 oil use, contacted my dealer today, and still no wiser, his opening gambit was all bikes use oil? his second one was not had anyone flag up a problem with RR8,?I said i would monitor consumption over the next few miles, as over a litre in 1300 miles is quite high?
corona

ghbzorro · 07-21-2008, 4:17 PM

That oil consumption is crazy high, or at least it is for a 4-stroke, LOL.

Dealer has never heard of this happening on an '08? If he cannot remember it happening then he probably has Alzheimers.

corona · 07-22-2008, 5:50 AM

thanks m8 will keep an eye on the oil but mean time will talk to other rr8 riders see if i can get to the bottom of this, by the way had a rr3 did 6000 miles never used a drop?
corona

corona · 08-06-2008, 3:27 PM

Hi ,all to keep you updated on my on going oil saga, I contacted my dealer for the second time RR8 AT 2100 MILES and another 1/2 litre of oil lots of umms and arrs and finaly contacted HONDA UK, what a breath of fresh air, polite listened to my woes, and said that they would contact my dealer and get back to me,And true to there word, they have arranged for my bike to go back to the dealer, and they will re fill and moniter over the next 500 miles, so big up for HONDA public realations will keep you guys posted
corona