Bought an 08 Fireblade from a dealership a few months back, and now it’s got what the techs at the nearby shop claim to sound like piston slap, last time I rode it, it lost a lot of oil, which makes me feel that they’re correct, and the oil is just ejecting itself out the exhaust past the piston rings. Anyone have any ideas, maybe it’s not piston slap, or something different that won’t cost me an entire briefcase of cash to get repaired? There’s a video attached that has the sound of the bike when I rode it to the shop. Sound increases with rpm, and seems to get worse as it warms up.

 

Here’s the video

 

Hi, That does not sound good.
Did the tech shop check the cam chain tensioner before deciding on the piston / crank issue?

 

How was it running between time you bought it and now?
Dealership provide any kind of warranty?


That much oil... probably easiest and cheapest to replace engine with working one. Can get good running one for $1800-2200 from breakers. No way any garage can drop engine, replace pistons and put it back in for less than that.

Do compression-test. What PSI do you get?

To verify and confirm, drop USB camera down spark-plug hole and look at condition of bores...

 

They didn’t want to pull anything apart, since they weren’t the dealership I got it from, and didnt want to interfere with the dealership fixing it.

 

Bike was running/riding good when I bought it, they offered a 1 month warranty. And up till about mid august I didn’t have any issues. I took it on a 2.5 hour road trip, and before I started heading back I noticed that my oil light came on. Next day it was making a soft engine slap noise, which got worse after I brought it to the shop. I’ll see about running a compression test, and running a camera down the spark plug hole. How much do you think it would cost if I were to do the job myself?

 

You would only be able to cost it fully once you have inspected it further, depending on your mechanical skills and the quality of tools you hold. I've done it on a 2012 cos I like a challenge, in my case the crankshaft was shot and bent.
If you did need a replacement engine I'd go for a newer SP engine, drop in and much smoother, I didn't take that route and bought a crankshaft as I am not keeping the bike.

So, in short you will need to investigate further buddy.

 

Damn a bent crank? I’ve worked on a few things before as well, and I like myself a challenge. Doesn’t seem like the dealer is going to be taking the bike back so I guess I better get wrenching on it, see if I can dig up what’s going on. If you have any tips/tricks please let me know, the plan of action seems to be pull the plugs and oil pan to check top and bottom end. I’ll keep updating if I find anything or if I have any questions. I’ve never gone this far in depth into a motor, but I like me a challenge. Does the newer SP engine just drop straight in?

 

Hey Saishi, if you accept the challenge then what I did was remove the engine from the bike, checking the spark plug port will only show you alot of oil, the bottom end will be more accurate, drain the oil and check for copper colour shavings, if you find any then you know it has probs spun a bearing. further down the strip down you will know how bad the ports are scratched. if its just the crank and bearings issues you can pick them up cheap for the 2008 but you rick the same issue with these engines.

I run a Aprilia RSV4 that I bought with broken valves and piston smashed in the port, I rebuilt is last winter and its still going strong, my friend has a 2010 CBR1000RR we both ride like crazy on the Scottish country roads, his blade is strong as he checks the oil and shims often but his gearbox is starting to jump 3rd gear....what do ya do eh. Its winter here now so I got me a Blade project

It is very good experience to investigate your engine yourself if you can, good help available through this forum.

ref a 2017 engine into a 2008: I found this info for you.

Engine straight in, no other parts needed from newer model. I think you have to add the knock sensor that’s it. But yeah it’s basically a put in a go. No loom needed etc
If you have 08-11 loom as no gear indicator you have a single green wire on a nipple for neutral. This you just need to splice into the wiring section above the sprocket that comes already built in the engine as such. Simple to do.

Happy to help where I can

 

I’ve got a weird question for you. I know you said the newer SP engine will drop straight in, but what about the new SP digital dash? Would I need any extra equipment or a different ecu, or would it just drop right into place as well?