Re: stuck in ouray, co - grinding/rattling noise cam chain area - UPDATE
It's been a while for this thread. But I'd like to post an update and rag a little.
Since I have returned from Colorado last year, I contacted Action Yamaha in Metuchen, NJ that did valve check before I left. As I mentioned they played no part in the basket spring failure. Yamaha ok'd engine case replacement under warranty. I have to dig out a list that I got from Action, but many parts got replaced along, seals, gaskets, bearings, circlips, etc and pistons! What? Not sure why pistons got replaced but whatever.
I was very patient and I asked them not to work on the bike if they are too busy or otherwise not in a constructive mood. I have also asked to set the valves to highest possible clearance since they will be transferring components to the new case anyway. They kept the bike for 2 months. That was okay by me and it was cold anyway. I also took care of the guys really well at the pick up.
I then walk outside to start the bike. She coughed a few times and then started up. Bike had almost no gas in it. I could have swore I had a quarter tank when I dropped it off. I questioned whether it was difficult to put at least a gallon in there so its not run it on empty. At that point I was offered gas, but I declined because I was going to head straight to the gas station and this would be more valuable prior to this. I wonder how test ride with an empty tank went. Either way, my satisfaction went down with them right there which was duly noted. I was told, I'd be taken care of next time. Gotta love those next times!
Before leaving, I inquired on the valve adjustment to the highest clearance per manual specs, I was told it was done. No original values have been written anywhere but I was assured that it was done by the service manager. Reluctantly I attempted to believe it.
So I rode the bike home, rode fine.
When I arrived, I noticed that the metal clutch line was not secured to the holder on the frame. I secured that. More points off for action.
I left the bike sitting for a few days and then took it out again. Misfires when downshifting and blipping the throttle.
Haven't had those in a long time since the TB sync and reflash. At that point I decided to go over the bike first and then call action and note misfires. A few other things I found were, the main harness was incorrectly routed through the right side. OEM re-usable zip tie that holds wiring under the right cover towards the lower part has been cut and left there I guess for maintaining bike balance. A clip that holds thick main harness piece on the right side has been broken. While the clip fits in, it easily pops out. I called action and noted all of this and the misfires. I was explained that perhaps its a gas issue, who knows what they blend for the winter. While this is true, I will be patient and see how the bike performs in spring as temps warm up. This was all going on in november, december of 2014 and it was very cold here by the way. While I was on the phone, I asked again about the valves and at that point service manager was unable to give me a straight answer whether they reset valves to the highest clearance or not although my request has been noted on the original work order. Service manager started to get defensive and noted that he was only a human and will have mechanic who did the work contact me. I guess the mechanic is non human or beyond human who cant seem to figure out how to open up reusable OEM zip clips. At this point I reminded him that I specifically noted not to rush anything and take time with the bike. I don't know how you can not recall if you did the valves or not. So I take it they did not do it and lied. When I got a call from mechanic, he also could not recall if they did anything with valves, but he had no notes on this. They only recalled working on the valves when I brought it in and paid for clearance check before the trip.
I have decided to wait for spring time when I can do some longer riding and feel things out. No point of talking to someone who does not take notes and has intermittent case of amnesia.
Couple of notes for the future, not to tip until the bike has been thoroughly tested. Come back and tip later if satisfied and will be noted to the mechanic. The best mechanic is the caring owner, regardless of what regional yamaha rep says. None of them really care about someones ride. Regardless of the amount of time is given to the dealer to do the work, they still find a way to screw it up and blame it on being human.
I am still concerned why the pistons were changed, what else was changed along with the pistons. No rings or cylinder heads were noted in the paperwork. They do not recall anything. I assume that original pistons and rings had worked their business out with the cylinder walls during original break in period and after. So I have yet to establish if there is going to be oil consumption which was not existent before this warranty job. Just waiting for warmer temps, put some miles on, get some feedback. Got a long trip planned for august, looking forward for this to end up right.
Here is Yamahas problem. Their presentation at the bike show vs the so called competition. Go to a triumph or bmw, everything is pristine. Go to yamaha, and you will find sloppy put together bikes, broken auxiliary lights just hanging there on two electrical wires. I says to the rep, are you guys going to fix this or is your tenere going to sit there with a hanging piaa light like that. I come back an hour later and guess what, the light still there, hanging for its life like the cliffhanger, looking to find its way up. This carelessness trickled down to the service department. I know there are still good shops out there, just a matter of locating one, but the owner is the ultimate. If only yamaha would reimburse owners for the self performed warranty work.
