Bandit Alley

MODEL SPECIFIC => SUZUKI BANDIT 600 thru 1200 - AIR/OIL COOLED TECHNICAL => Topic started by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 06:58:05 PM

Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 06:58:05 PM
I own a 02 1200s.  The problem is it was left running in idle for approx. 20 mins.  Now the pipes are discolored and I can't seem to operate the bike.  It will start and run.  By the way I immediately changed the oil.  However, the bike will start and run sounds a little different than before but no knocking.  The green neutral light is not working properly, flicks on and off.  As soon as I drop the choke and try to roll the throttle the bike dies. Also, green light will be lit and go out. I'll pull the clutch in and slip into ist, then back into neutral. no light?  ANy ideas? :thanks:
Title: Over heating
Post by: PeteSC on November 06, 2005, 07:07:50 PM
I don't know if anything got hot enough to melt some sensors, wiring or switches.... :?:
  Maybe the plugs fouled?  (Might have something to do with running problems.)

 I kind of doubt leaving a bike idling 20 minutes would do any major damage, unless it was hot to start with, and it was a pretty hot day.
  Was there any 'smell' to the bike when you shut it off?
   I haven't heard of anyone 'cooking' one, and have no real mechanical basis for my guesses..... :shock:
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 07:19:29 PM
I didn't shut it off.  It stopped running when I returned.  Smelled burnt oil.  Did not check the plugs.  However bike was extremely hot.
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 07:24:51 PM
I can start it up, the neutral light will go off after about 15-30 secs. I have to drop the stand, pull it up and pull in the clutch to start.  No green light will ever come back on unless I leave it off for a bit.
Title: Over heating
Post by: PeteSC on November 06, 2005, 07:58:15 PM
Hang on,  somebody may have a better answer in a bit.
   With the intermittant lights....I'm thinking something electrical got melted, but....that may be the least of your problems.
    I'm just guessing.  I've left mine idle 10-15 minutes or so when I started it cold, but.....???
Title: Over heating
Post by: Vee Dub Nut on November 06, 2005, 08:06:27 PM
ok.. i have to ask, why did you leave it idling for 20 minutes?

Have no idea what it could have messed up though...
Title: Over heating
Post by: terrebandit on November 06, 2005, 08:33:37 PM
I would hope that a bike could be left running for 20 minutes, at idle, without any issues, unless of course it didn't have any oil in it!    :stickpoke:

I think your light issue has nothing to do with this.  Check the connection of the bulb.  Sometimes your tail light can be intermittent too!

Dave
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 08:43:54 PM
Well, I left it idling while I went inside, got caught up in my children's argument.  Yes it did have oil in it.  You are correct, because my taillight from time to time is a little touchy.  Just seems strange that I never had a problem with the indicator light prior to this incident.  I will pull the plugs tomorrow and check them as well.  I know the bike got HOT because my pipes are now purple/blue. I'm a little concerned that I may have damaged internal parts due to the extreme heat.  Once I pull the plugs and check, I'll try to go for a ride if I can give it gas without the bike dying.
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 08:45:31 PM
Anyone know how to check the neutral switch?  Where is the sensor located?
Title: Over heating
Post by: terrebandit on November 06, 2005, 08:58:46 PM
Quote from: "paul636"
 I know the bike got HOT because my pipes are now purple/blue


Did it go from a tan color to a deep purple/blue color??????   :?:  Are you currently running an aftermarket pipe without rejetted carbs???  :?:

Your plugs will tell you quite a bit.  If they are snow white and blistered looking, maybe you did overheat her.  Replace the plugs while you are at it too.

Sorry about your troubles.   :sad:

Dave
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 09:03:55 PM
Stock everything.  Also, if my indicator bulb was bad, I should be able to start it while stand is down and I'm in neutral.  Pipes went from a lite tan to the discoloration.
Title: Over heating
Post by: Vee Dub Nut on November 06, 2005, 09:28:26 PM
Quote from: "terrebandit"
I would hope that a bike could be left running for 20 minutes, at idle, without any issues, unless of course it didn't have any oil in it!    :stickpoke:

I think your light issue has nothing to do with this.  Check the connection of the bulb.  Sometimes your tail light can be intermittent too!

Dave


i dunno.. if there is not any airflow, i think it could cause problems..

check the plugs.. hope everything turns out ok
Title: Over heating
Post by: terrebandit on November 06, 2005, 09:41:27 PM
It's an 2002 model... how many miles are on the bike now?? when was the last time you checked the valve clearances?  Are you observing any smoke out the tail pipe when shes running at idle?  The fact that it won't take any gas almost seems like maybe a vacume leak developed after the heat.  None of the wire harnesses come close to the engine, except for the spark plug wires.  You might want to pull the tank and check the wire harness/plastic connectors that run along the top side of the frame, just under the tank.  Also check the plug wires, coils, and all vacume connections (pair valve t-connector, fuel tank petcock, and at carbs).   Look for any sign of melted plastic or discoloration.  Double check tightness of all fittings.

After that, you may want to get the compression checked and do a leak-down test.  I hope you don't have to go there.   :roll:
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 06, 2005, 09:51:20 PM
3644 miles.  No smoke at idle.  I don't know what's wrong.  I never checked the clearances.  Thanks for the info.  I'll let all know what I see tomorrow.
Title: Over heating
Post by: Vee Dub Nut on November 06, 2005, 09:54:52 PM
what terrebandit said...

good luck tomorrow and keep us posted
Title: Over heating
Post by: terrebandit on November 06, 2005, 09:59:06 PM
Quote from: "paul636"
3644 miles.  No smoke at idle.  I don't know what's wrong.  I never checked the clearances.  Thanks for the info.  I'll let all know what I see tomorrow.


I was thinking maybe a tight exhaust valve that got real hot.  This however seems unlikey with that few miles on your bike.  A few guys have reported tight valves at the 600 mile check but not many.  You would also be seeing some smoking too, if that was the case.

Let us know what you find under the tank!
Title: Over heating
Post by: PeteSC on November 07, 2005, 12:53:19 AM
FWIW, the neutral switch is behind the engine sprocket cover.   You'll see a wire dropping down the top through a rubber grommet. From the Haynes manual, you'll want to take off the shift linkage arm, making sure you mark the position on the spline.   Then pop off the cover.   what little details they have are on page 8-18.  The manual is online, with instructions on how to access it in the Members Only forum.

   THis may be a red herring, but I've had electrical sensors and wiring melt and short out on big diesel engines when you've had an unrelated  heat problem.  Since the neutral light is acting up, it's kind of  logical to check the neutral switch after you've checked the bulb, and socket.
  I'm not sure it's in a place that would have excessive heat due to the long idle, though. :?:
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 08, 2005, 07:46:55 AM
JUst an update, I pulled the tank and checked the plugs, which were not foulded but rather whiteish. Changed the plugs with 4 new ones, Did not see any melted plastics however I did not spend much time looking.  I had to go to work.  Going hunting this morning and will work on bike this evening.  I'll keep all update as I find more.  Thanks for everyones help to this point.  It has given me somewhere to start. :thanks:
Title: Over heating
Post by: paul636 on November 23, 2005, 07:51:01 PM
just an update, I pulled the tank, replaced the plugs, lubed the choke, cleaned the carbs and replaced the neutral switch, new gass, oil, and filters.  Runs great now.  Anyone have any ideas on cleaning the discoloration off the pipes?  I tried chrome cleaner and MOthers polish.  Thanks for all the advise and suggestions! :thanks:  and I owe ya'll a few beers!!! :beers:
Title: Over heating
Post by: terrebandit on November 23, 2005, 08:45:52 PM
Mothers will do it if you work on it a while.
Title: Over heating
Post by: pmackie on November 24, 2005, 01:12:57 AM
If you don't mind dulling the finish slightly, use a Scotch Brite pad. Fine or Extra Fine (if you can find one). You can then carry on with Extra Fine steel wool, and then polish the whole thing with a metal polish like Solvol Autosol and a buffing pad on a drill or similar. It should remove the colour, but it is a lot of work.
Title: Over heating
Post by: broncbob on November 28, 2005, 10:01:01 PM
if you have or can get a polishing wheel, have a go at it with that! not sure how well it will work out for you, you have heated the metal to it's discolor temp, they may never come back! if you want to try and hide it and give your bike a bit of a race look you can go header wrap, or you can pull it off and send it to be coated, or paint them yourself! the coating or the wrap may help you run a bit cooler, they are suposed to hold the heat inside the pipe, keeping the air flowing over the motor cooler! i think the header wrap would keep more heat in in than the coating!