So after just spending £1300 on my 1995 CBR600F3, it dropped all the oil out on the motorway at 2am through the sump plug bolt which had disappeared. Was slowing down to try and figure out what was happening (it was 2am on the M6, so lets just say I was slowing from a reasonable speed, in case that helps) when horrible grinding (presumably due to no oil) ensued (at a guess, was down to 50/60 when noise happened). Was maybe 1 or 2 seconds before I grabbed the clutch, but after replacing bolt and oil, there's something moving around in there (hoping it's a bit of sump plug bolt and not a bit of snapped off engine, but that's why I need to have a look inside).

Now I'm fairly technically minded, and although it's more in depth than anything I've done before, I don't see many issues with taking the engine off the bike, given enough time and patience. All seems straightforward enough. What I'm not too sure on is actually opening up the engine to look for any internal damage. Obviously I would need to clean off and replace gaskets and a sealant compound when replacing, and it seems that it would require a fair amount of force, but being careful not to damage anything, to actually get it apart.

Anybody done anything like this before? Any advice? (other than 'take it to a garage'. Like I said, I've just spent loads on it, I can't afford a garage bill. It might be a case of buy a 2nd hand engine to replace it, I could probably just afford that, but not the labour costs)

Trying to look at positives - despite the back wheel being coated in oil, I didn't go down, so I'm lucky. And my chain is really well lubed...

Any replies really appreciated.

Thanks guys.

 

Get some cheap oil, put it in your bike and see if it still makes the noise.

If you got it shut off quick enough, you may be alright.

 

Yeah I already tried that but there is definitely something rattling around in there. Like I say, I'm hoping it's a bit of sump plug bolt, and not a bit of broken off engine, but need to have a look.

 

Id buy a second hand engine in that case, and take my time with the other one (or sell it as is to someone that wants to build an engine).

That would have the least down time. And you could thoroughly go through your engine as opposed to quickly trying to get it back on the road.

At a minimum, you're looking at head gasket, crank bolts, rod and main bearings, and thats after you measure your clearances with plastigage. If you decide to do rings, you're looking at machine work (hone/hatch) on top of the cost of the rings .

Thats just the bottom end...


So, if you can find a good second hand one, thats a safe bet to get your kickstand up in short order.

 

This. You will have more time and money into a project that probably won't turn out right. There is a lot more to know in engine rebuilding that just replacing parts. Unless you know what you're doing, don't bother. The fact that there is damage in there, pretty much condems it anyway.

 

Thanks Conrice and 74 demon.

It's winter, and Scotland, so I'm not really in a rush to get it back on the road. I know it's probably a waste of my time, but hey, I've got to get the engine out either way, so I figure I might as well have a look inside while it's there. If it's something obvious and fixable, great, if not I get a new engine which I'd have been doing anyway if I hadn't looked.

Slow reply as have been busy moving out my flatmate so I can convert her bedroom into a storage place for bits of bike!

And on top of that the starter motor went in the car! Bodged a fix for now but need to take it apart and give it a proper clean. I have ZERO luck with vehicles right now!

Hopefully gonna get started on bike dis-assembly next week. So far progress made has been 'get a strong friend to help me haul it up the steps, through the stairwell of the flats, and into the back garden'.

Will keep updating here with photos of the process if anybody wants to see. Probably do it anyway just in case I need to do it again and want hints!

 

If you have time, take a look, post some pics when you do, too. But doing it the right way means spending money, and it may not be financially worth it.

Fun? Cool? Yes.

Expensive? Time consuming? Yes.


I hope your other projects come together quickly.

 

F3 engines pop up on the regular on ebay for around the 250-400 mark. Well worth it to get the bike back on the road, these F3's are fun in winter, the heavy weigh combined with the low power at low revs, combined with decent tyres (PR4 or Angel GT's) make these brilliant winter commuters.

 

Thanks guys, and yeah Contro13R Angel STs are my go-to tyre. Right balance between performance and lifespan for my riding.
I think I can get one for about £200 from local breakers but will check on eBay too. (were you talking £ or $?)

 

Good ol British sterling