Yamaha - YES Failure to Stand By the Product - Carbon Bildup Excuse

[EricV]

I've had no luck with extended warranties or service plans. My experience is that they take my money and sit on it then look for any excuse to deny service. The seller has all the power. No more. I'll keep the money myself and take my chances!

First, lets remember that each area has it's own warranty programs and processes. Yamaha USA is not Yamaha Canada, Yamaha UK, etc.

Second, At least in the US, having a dealer that will go to bat for you with Yamaha is a HUGE part of this process. Having one that understands how to word the claim in the first place is crucial too.

Extended warranties are usually not a great gamble. But for <$400 for 4 years of coverage on a $15k vehicle, it's a bit better deal than on that toaster Walmart wants to sell you.

 

[tomatocity]

Here's the stuff Eric is talking about. It's a little pricey, but a quart will go a long way. I bought a dozen 1oz. bottles off Amazon for taking some along on the road. I use a half bottle per tank of gas and every once in a while, I'll dump in a whole bottle.

Ringfree has been repackaged by Yamaha.

Engine Med RX
Advanced Ethanol Corrosion Protection & Engine De-Carboning

 

[Ramseybella]

Recently I have been using Yamalube-Engine-Med-RX https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/936/36757/Yamalube-Engine-Med-RX
My bike is at 48k.
First time I used it this weekend it made a difference rode my bike 219 miles running on the interstate at 85 to 90mph first application engine noise calmed down a bit, much smoother idle.
Directions says use 1oz per 10 gallons I used a little over half ounce instructions call for use every tank.

 

[EricV]

Interesting to notice that the 3.2 ounce bottle they sell has been formulated to treat 5 gallons, but on the 16 ounce bottle the ratio is 1 ounce per 10 gallons. The 3.2 ounce bottle is cheaper per/ounce to buy, but not when you realize how they set it up for use! I like OldRider's idea on buying the 1 ounce bottles so I can just have some in the tank bag w/o fussing with measuring while on the road. Might try that.

 

[Dogdaze]

Just a quick question to those with knowledge or firsthand experience with the carbon build up issue. Should I use this stuff? I have under 20k miles on my bike, I use 94oct(EU spec is different from US) rating fuel non Ethanol , because of my OCD, I of course have this now ::010::

 

[tomatocity]

Interesting to notice that the 3.2 ounce bottle they sell has been formulated to treat 5 gallons, but on the 16 ounce bottle the ratio is 1 ounce per 10 gallons. The 3.2 ounce bottle is cheaper per/ounce to buy, but not when you realize how they set it up for use! I like OldRider's idea on buying the 1 ounce bottles so I can just have some in the tank bag w/o fussing with measuring while on the road. Might try that.

Eric, the 16 oz bottle has a 1 oz measuring cup built on the bottle. Works very well.

 

[amoller]

U P D A T E

Good Evening,

I have my bike back ! She is now at home ! Only rode about 10 miles but it appears, so far, that all is in place. True test will be this weekend when I will take it for a 500-600 mile ride.

Couple of areas of clarification that I need to address:

- Mileage: Bike has 31.6K miles and not 34K. Not idea how I missed that
- Valves: I initially stated that the valves did get bend. This is not correct. They di not bend. Apologies for the confusion caused

Attached, 3 pictures:

- CCT: This is the unit that came off the bike. I don't know how a damaged unit looks like. Shop claims that it was fine but I had them replace it.
- Yamaha Coverage: List of parts replaced by YAMAHA. Note that while the CCT was on the list, it was not covered. Also note the comments on the bottom ref the compression
- Total cost

I sincerely hope that the job was performed correctly. The dealer only provides a 30 day labor warranty which in my opinion in not an adequate amount of time. Hopefully, should a problem exist, the same will display itself soon

I will ride it and evaluate my long term plans for the bike. Want to make sure I regain confidence on it otherwise I will have to trade it.

I appreciate everyone's comments and input

 

[OldRider]

So what was wrong with it? Looks like they put Pistons, rings and valve seals in. If there was no bent valves, what made the noise and why did it quit running??

 

[amoller]

So what was wrong with it? Looks like they put Pistons, rings and valve seals in. If there was no bent valves, what made the noise and why did it quit running??

Reason given was carbon buildup....

 

[silvergoose]

Wait a sec, the dealer replaced one piston not two. The compression is only 50psi for num1 and 80 psi for num2. The leak down numbers are scary. I don't think you got a deal, but if you are happy and signed off, good luck

keep us posted

 

[amoller]

Wait a sec, the dealer replaced one piston not two. The compression is only 50psi for num1 and 80 psi for num2. The leak down numbers are scary. I don't think you got a deal, but if you are happy and signed off, good luck

keep us posted

The two pistons were replaced. Two covered by Yamaha ( listed on the invoice )
I also took a picture of the old ones when I picked up the bike today, attached.

 

[silvergoose]

My mistake, I am sorry for the over site.

Again, Good Luck

 

[WJBertrand]

Gotta assume those compression and leak numbers are from before the repair.


-Jeff

 

[OldRider]

OK I'm just curious what was the loud metal to metal noise? Are they saying the valve stuck open, caused a loss of compression, but it didn't hit a piston? Why new Pistons? The carbon can be removed from the piston in a very short time with a bead blaster.

 

[tomatocity]

The carbon build-up on my 2012 kept some of the valves from closing. amoller might have had a similar situation. But they did completely rebuild the head on my 2012.

 

[Kevhunts]

The carbon build-up on my 2012 kept some of the valves from closing. amoller might have had a similar situation. But they did completely rebuild the head on my 2012.

What was the cause of your carbon build up?
Are you one of those guys who changed their CO settings early on?

 

[tomatocity]

What was the cause of your carbon build up?
Are you one of those guys who changed their CO settings early on?

I did but don't know what I set it to. Is carbon build-up a result of higher CO settings?

 

[Checkswrecks]

The unknown wild card is what happened in the first 16,000 miles with the first owner. Maybe the guy ran it on the cheapest regular gas and never over 1,000 rpm. While you sound like a guy who takes care of the bike, who knows what happened before?

Valves occasionally hanging up is not unknown in airplane engines. With incomplete combustion, or high oil consumption which you didn'the have, the partially burned exhaust builds on the stems of exhaust valves. The valves may not quite close, allowing the seats to burn over time from the burning mixture in the next power stroke. You shut it down before the seats burned or the bill would have shown it. Or the valves can can really stick open enough to be struck by a piston and yours were not open that far because new valves would have been on the bill. The carbon build ups can be removed. The noise likely was the excessive valve lash as the buckets slapped the stems on each cam rotation.

The carbon deposits on the stem, valve seat condition, possible bending of valve stems, and piston faces typically tell the tale. A lab test of the deposits can tell real quick about the type of gas used and even the brand due to additive packages.

Glad to hear it is running right.

 

[RhodeTrip]

Still not clear what caused the bike to shut down. Valves not damaged, loud metallic noise and the bike stalls and won’t run; I’m missing something.
Jim

 

[Kevhunts]

I did but don't know what I set it to. Is carbon build-up a result of higher CO settings?

I am under the belief that raising the CO setting enriches the fuel mix. Too rich a mix can cause carbon to build up in any engine.
Earlier in this forum, a member posted that his dealer sync'd his throttle bodies and raised his CO to 6 to eliminate a lean stumble.
I believe I read where others have tried 10, 20, 30 settings. Not sure what their out come was but it's conceivable it could cause a carbon problem. YMMV.