P1000 May be time for a top-end

[P1K5Dave]

Twice last Summer my 2018 P1K5 with 15,600 miles stalled at low RPMs under load then it started a little rough and smoked for a bit.

I started thinking it's probably getting a little tired on the top end. Then the other day I went to change the air filter and I see I have a little oil seepage coming from the bottom of the box. I haven't opened the airbox yet, gotta get some replacement screws first.

It's possible the oil could be from tipping to the drivers side last year, but when I put 2 and 2 together, it just feels like it's due.

So, in Smittys thread there was talk of having to split the case to do a top end, but it seemed to be unresolved - and then perhaps only on the 16s. All of that seems odd to me, the Africa Twin has ben around a long time.

I had one time where the filter o-ring got pinched and I dripped oil when riding. I don't know how much it lost before I noticed it and changed it. Otherwise, I've done a good job keeping up with oil changes with Rotella.

Generally, she still runs great so I'm thinking it's early stages.

 

[Admin]

 

[someguy1313]

seems very premature to me, definitely following.

 

[DRZRon1]

Twice last Summer my 2018 P1K5 with 15,600 miles stalled at low RPMs under load then it started a little rough and smoked for a bit.

I started thinking it's probably getting a little tired on the top end. Then the other day I went to change the air filter and I see I have a little oil seepage coming from the bottom of the box. I haven't opened the airbox yet, gotta get some replacement screws first.

It's possible the oil could be from tipping to the drivers side last year, but when I put 2 and 2 together, it just feels like it's due.

So, in Smittys thread there was talk of having to split the case to do a top end, but it seemed to be unresolved - and then perhaps only on the 16s. All of that seems odd to me, the Africa Twin has ben around a long time.

I had one time where the filter o-ring got pinched and I dripped oil when riding. I don't know how much it lost before I noticed it and changed it. Otherwise, I've done a good job keeping up with oil changes with Rotella.

Generally, she still runs great so I'm thinking it's early stages.

does it burn oil at all?

 

[P1K5Dave]

does it burn oil at all?

It's kind of hard to tell, honestly. That dipstick is about useless, so I've just been keeping up with oil changes and assuming it's OK. I'll try to monitor it now and see if it looks like it's using oil.

 

[Jerryg]

Any backfiring through the intake or exhaust?

 

[CID]

It's kind of hard to tell, honestly. That dipstick is about useless, so I've just been keeping up with oil changes and assuming it's OK. I'll try to monitor it now and see if it looks like it's using oil.

Do an oil and filters change (6qts. 3.2oz, same for P1K and Talon, I round up to 6qts. 4oz), run long enough to saturate the filters, let sit overnight, check your oil level cold. You decide whether you want to do that with the dipstick screwed in or sitting on top of the threads (per Honda). Now you know exactly where your full oil level is without using Honda's laughably unrepeatable process. And now you can check your oil anytime, without starting, warming up, letting sit for 2-3 minutes - WTF?!?!

Don't use my photo, get your own baseline, sitting flat where you'll always be checking it.

 

[P1K5Dave]

Any backfiring through the intake or exhaust?

No issues there. The only rough starts were after the two stalls. Both times poking along uphill. Neither time did I really "lug" it. I was working well above that threshold.

 

[P1K5Dave]

Do an oil and filters change (6qts. 3.2oz, same for P1K and Talon, I round up to 6qts. 4oz), run long enough to saturate the filters, let sit overnight, check your oil level cold...

Yeah, I'll do that. The other thing I hate about that dipstick (and the oil fill) is how easy it is to get dirt in your case when opening them.

I clean everything off best I can, but it's still not ideal. I'm assuming anything that makes its way in there will get caught in the filter first, but..

 

[Jerryg]

Do a compression check.

 

[CID]

Yeah, I'll do that. The other thing I hate about that dipstick (and the oil fill) is how easy it is to get dirt in your case when opening them.

I clean everything off best I can, but it's still not ideal. I'm assuming anything that makes its way in there will get caught in the filter first, but..

I use a can of brake cleaner to hose the area off as well as I can ... but ...

 

[Jerryg]

Check the level of alcohol in your fuel.

 

[P1K5Dave]

Do a compression check.

Check the level of alcohol in your fuel.

I'll have my engine guy check compression when we evaluate it next month. If it needs top end work, I'll have him doing it.

And what's this about alcohol?

 

[Jerryg]

I'll have my engine guy check compression when we evaluate it next month. If it needs top end work, I'll have him doing it.

And what's this about alcohol?

If you have a too high amount of alcohol in your fuel, such as E85, it will give you similar symptoms.

Briggs & Stratton sells a little beaker with lines on it. You put your fuel to the line it says, then add water to the line it says. You shake and the water will mix with the alcohol and change the fuel line. It will give you a percentage of alcohol. Anything more than 10% alcohol can give you an issue.

Alcohol Fuel Tester Fits Briggs &Amp; Stratton: 100023, 795161

OMB Warehouse - Go Kart Parts and Mini Bike Parts. OEM and Aftermarket supplier of Outdoor Power Equipment Parts, Arborist and Landscape Supplies.

www.ombwarehouse.com

 

[DRZRon1]

Twice last Summer my 2018 P1K5 with 15,600 miles stalled at low RPMs under load then it started a little rough and smoked for a bit.

I started thinking it's probably getting a little tired on the top end. Then the other day I went to change the air filter and I see I have a little oil seepage coming from the bottom of the box. I haven't opened the airbox yet, gotta get some replacement screws first.

It's possible the oil could be from tipping to the drivers side last year, but when I put 2 and 2 together, it just feels like it's due.

So, in Smittys thread there was talk of having to split the case to do a top end, but it seemed to be unresolved - and then perhaps only on the 16s. All of that seems odd to me, the Africa Twin has ben around a long time.

I had one time where the filter o-ring got pinched and I dripped oil when riding. I don't know how much it lost before I noticed it and changed it. Otherwise, I've done a good job keeping up with oil changes with Rotella.

Generally, she still runs great so I'm thinking it's early stages.

if it isn’t burning oil, runs fine 99.999999% of the time - ain’t smoking - I’d call it good

I’ve had the same thing happen to various FI sxs’s over the years - once every now and then - stupid stall, shut off - go wtf - start back up and go


these are still mechanical gizmos - over the zillions of cycles and fuel injectors and stuff firing - who knows

 

[Bighat]

If the compression checks good. Have you changed the plugs? Worth a try. Cheap fix if it works. Try some injector clean and run it for a while. Never know.

 

[P1K5Dave]

If the compression checks good. Have you changed the plugs? Worth a try. Cheap fix if it works. Try some injector clean and run it for a while. Never know.

Good thoughts. I never have changed the plugs and that could actually have caused the slow stalls. I'll get some injector cleaner.

I was planning on having the engine guy check compression because I think my compression tester got ruined by water.

Anyway, I get into "worst case scenario" mode sometimes, and you guys have given me some hope.

 

[JenElio]

Good thoughts. I never have changed the plugs and that could actually have caused the slow stalls. I'll get some injector cleaner.

I was planning on having the engine guy check compression because I think my compression tester got ruined by water.

Anyway, I get into "worst case scenario" mode sometimes, and you guys have given me some hope.

Yeah, you should definitely get rid of that junk............ I'll give ya $6,969.69 for it cash......Final offer😉

 

[P1K5Dave]

Follow-up - she's definitely using oil. I haven't ridden much this Summer and haven't had time for maintenance, but I checked the oil after a ride tonight and it was low. I can smell it when running as well.

 

[thatguy2]

Follow-up - she's definitely using oil. I haven't ridden much this Summer and haven't had time for maintenance, but I checked the oil after a ride tonight and it was low. I can smell it when running as well.

I never had problems using oil with my Rancher. My brother has an 07 Rancher that doesn't use a drop. But my 15 700-4 used alot of it at high RPMs. Makes me wonder what the deal with these SxS is. Granted yours is alot higher miles than I typically see, but still.

 

[Jerryg]

I never had problems using oil with my Rancher. My brother has an 07 Rancher that doesn't use a drop. But my 15 700-4 used alot of it at high RPMs. Makes me wonder what the deal with these SxS is. Granted yours is alot higher miles than I typically see, but still.

I had an 08 Rancher, it was bullet proof. Honda's SXS's are way less reliable.