Post by: greywolf on December 28, 2015, 18:27:14
It appears there was a contamination problem in the tappet(bucket) manufacturing facility affecting the valve buckets on some DL650s. L3 and L4 Glees as well as other models use those buckets manufactured at the time of the possible contamination occurence. The Veek uses different buckets. Those contaminated buckets can cause accelerated wear of buckets and cam lobes. The problem affected world wide manufacture so all countries will almost certainly be affected.
Suzuki of Canada will replace all cams and buckets of bikes with under 4000km as they haven't had a chance to wear significantly enough to know if the buckets are contaminated. Bikes with over 4000km will only have parts replaced if a valve clearance check shows the clearance to be over spec, indicating accelerated wear.
Post by: Hondaman on December 28, 2015, 21:18:26
Thanks for the heads up but the last thing I want is some dealer teaboy/spanner monkey poking around.
Phil
Post by: greywolf on December 28, 2015, 21:24:41
Post by: Hondaman on December 28, 2015, 22:55:15
Post by: Hugo Magnus on December 29, 2015, 06:52:06
Post by: greywolf on December 29, 2015, 14:07:14
Added info - an Australian contact said L2s are included in the check there so may be in the UK too.
Post by: Hugo Magnus on December 29, 2015, 15:00:16
Post by: Pedro41 on December 29, 2015, 19:19:33
https://www.recalls.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/1080685
This is a big job for the Suzuki mechanics involving many hours per vehicle. Sounds expensive!
Post by: crazyhorse on December 31, 2015, 21:20:19
My L2 has 51k miles, and checked the valve clearances at 15k, and again at 32k, more than likely will not check them again.
It's running very nicely, thank you.
Crazyhorse
Post by: Hondaman on January 04, 2016, 10:58:54
Does anyone actually have any idea how widespread this is?
Poking around on the net doesn't come up with any issue other than the touted recall.
Phil
Post by: doboy on January 09, 2016, 09:58:50
Post by: greywolf on January 09, 2016, 11:42:45
Post by: bigpie on January 12, 2016, 16:15:27
Post by: greywolf on January 12, 2016, 17:02:51
http://www.stromtrooper.com/3703850-post131.html
Post by: bigpie on January 12, 2016, 18:46:38
Post by: bigpie on January 14, 2016, 12:58:06
Post by: sharealike on January 14, 2016, 18:43:22
Might be something like a one in a few thousand chance your bike will suffer this. Call me a cynical old bloke but I see a bit of Honda (car) and BMW (m/c and car) service strategy being applied here. :stirpot: Happened in less than a hundred bikes that are two to three years old if I read it right. Many more times that number of engines from that era of production could have run out or gone low on oil by now. How can they tell what really damaged the face of the follower and cam lobe? And many of the 6,214 units said to be affected are very likely well past the sort of mileage than any dirt at assembly or problem with the metallurgy would have shown up by now.
Safety issue - risk of dangerous staling I read? :dl_hyperhysteria: You could lose the whole valve lobe so the valve never opened yet the engine would still run and have enough pull to get you out of a situation. And lets face it the noise for a long, long time before this happened would be so horrible and loud you would have it investigated long before.
But just in case you had better be taking it to Suzuki for all its servicing. :whistle: And the only way they are going to know for certain is to check the clearance and then lift your cams off the followers to see the surfaces. Which is what they would be doing to change a valve shim in any case. Dealers will simply say it gets checked at the service - so be sure to bring it in to us for a service. :whistle: Now the dealer is already doing the work and being paid for it by you the customer. So all Suzuki have to do is quickly send out a cam and followers from local country stock now and again which cost's them next to nothing. And that's if its real and not just a groundless scare based on flawed data in the first place. They have no evidence if its dirt, metal or even something else? :whistle:
Post by: karlandbev on February 20, 2016, 19:25:08
Post by: karlandbev on February 20, 2016, 23:26:59
Post by: Andyonbass on February 21, 2016, 05:20:03
I have sent them an email and will go into the dealer if necessary...
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 09:07:19
Post by: Hondaman on February 21, 2016, 09:32:56
I want the tank off & waterproof the connectors so I'll check the clearances myself.
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 09:37:49
Post by: Hondaman on February 21, 2016, 09:59:40
Suzuki won't be bothered if it doesn't go in as it'll save them a few ££
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 10:20:11
Post by: Hondaman on February 21, 2016, 10:37:27
(I work part time in a busy workshop - the difference between a good mech & the others is eyewatering....)
Why are you checking the valves at 7 1/2k, isn't the spec 15k?
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 10:49:24
Post by: Hondaman on February 21, 2016, 10:50:55
Post by: mrp192 on February 21, 2016, 11:49:33
My phone rang on the way home and it was the service manager saying he had rechecked my vin against Suzuki's list and it didn't need the recall and the updates parts would have been fitted from new.
He had received his first parts pack the day before and had only know about the recall since then. He said it was early days and affected owners would be written to by Suzuki GB in the near future.
Being a suspicious bugger I will check my vin against the website to make sure, but as my bike is running beautifully, like a new bike should, I don't want it taken apart unnecessarily.
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 11:52:31
Post by: mrp192 on February 21, 2016, 12:07:40
Post by: macamx on February 21, 2016, 12:35:49
Geoff.
Post by: Sam on February 21, 2016, 12:54:46
Was that at CJ Ball, Norwich?
Post by: mrp192 on February 21, 2016, 13:20:36
Post by: Pedro41 on February 21, 2016, 19:57:26
when I rang my nearest dealer to book in-I was told the staff hadn't done the training course yet. Apparently, its quite detailed procedure, so before they start ripping 'em down, they need to know set order of tasks to preform. I guess it all has to be done on a cold engine -so they will need the bike a week ideally. I left my details so they could book me in when they were up and running. Done 7500 miles - shouldn't need doing again for 4 years!
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=B0207ADA43E6050580257F4900454C66&freeText=Blank&tx=
Post by: bigpie on February 21, 2016, 20:21:36
Post by: Zed 25 on February 21, 2016, 20:27:13
It's trusting the stealer to put all back together,by me its appleyards or padgetts ???? 14 -AL4
Post by: Hondaman on February 21, 2016, 21:12:25
Yeah, I had the same issue with Suzukis online recall notification to chosen dealer.(not loading up) Site just wants to send you price lists or sales blurb...mines a '63 AL3That is a worry.
when I rang my nearest dealer to book in-I was told the staff hadn't done the training course yet. Apparently, its quite detailed procedure, so before they start ripping 'em down, they need to know set order of tasks to preform. I guess it all has to be done on a cold engine -so they will need the bike a week ideally. I left my details so they could book me in when they were up and running. Done 7500 miles - shouldn't need doing again for 4 years!
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/searches/expand.asp?uniqueID=B0207ADA43E6050580257F4900454C66&freeText=Blank&tx=
A Suzuki mechanic at a Suzuki main dealer needs 'training' to be able to do the valve check and maybe cam swap on a relatively simple bike.....
It confirms my earlier reservations.
Post by: greywolf on February 21, 2016, 22:03:42
Post by: vstroman on February 22, 2016, 02:04:36
feel sorry for you blokes.
Post by: greywolf on February 22, 2016, 07:01:07
Post by: Hondaman on February 22, 2016, 07:26:26
The cam swap is the procedure most techs have never done. It usually means setting the cam timing relationship to the engine and the other cam instead of just putting the cam back in the same position it came out from.Surely a cam swap is exactly the same as cam removal with the exception of swapping the sprocket over, either way the cams are removed & need to be replaced & timed correctly?
While I'm not familiar with this motor, it still seems it should be within the scope of a trained mechanic (or tech ) :)
Vstroman, while these things are disappointing, stuff happens. Suzuki are going to great lengths to rectify it even though it seems only a tiny ammount of bikes are affected.
Has anyone in the UK actually been affected from this 'issue'?
Strangely and bafflingly, Suzuki are not rectifying the unsealed connectors behind the radiator which are giving the same issues as on the Veek and is just bad design & cheapness.
Post by: trevorcee on February 22, 2016, 11:58:29
Post by: greywolf on February 22, 2016, 15:13:59
Surely a cam swap is exactly the same as cam removal with the exception of swapping the sprocket over
It can be as long as the swap is done one at a time without moving anything else and the new cam is positioned the same as the old one. Everything else is kept in position.
The fly in the ointment is most techs will take the shortcut of marking the chain and sprocket at a meeting point and matching the marks on reassembly while the other sprocket is zip tied to the chain so it can't lose register. Doing a refresher course on cam markings with respect to the head and cam timing with respect to each other will account for glitches in the process, make the swap safer and it is a procedure techs should be familiar with anyway but many are not.
Post by: Ccmp on February 23, 2016, 11:38:34
Suzuki Ireland as of yesterday knew nothing about the recall.
They agreed to check for me. I rang back today < 24 hours from initial call and they have acknowledged the issue and have placed order for necessary gaskets etc.
Waiting for them to revert on local dealer option.
Good service and response so far.
Post by: Ccmp on February 23, 2016, 17:37:40
Post by: karlandbev on February 27, 2016, 17:34:38
Well my 2014 went in at Mansfield Suzuki today for the tappet recall....in for the week and are going to ring me Tuesday for the verdict on what it needs from the initial measuring of the gapping. Oh well here's hoping it needs for nothing and I just get a free gap check.
Thinking about it, if it passes OK all-round for the gaps will the gap check still need doing as per normal schedule or could it be pushed back...? Just a thought.
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on February 27, 2016, 17:51:58
Post by: greywolf on February 27, 2016, 18:42:14
Post by: bigpie on February 27, 2016, 19:41:35
Post by: biglad on February 27, 2016, 20:51:17
Post by: Andyonbass on February 28, 2016, 08:35:38
Suzuki of Canada will replace all cams and buckets of bikes with under 4000km as they haven't had a chance to wear significantly enough to know if the buckets are contaminated.
Anyone know whether the UK will adopt the same policy?
(Apologies for the quote! :violence-smack:)
Post by: greywolf on February 28, 2016, 13:15:42
Post by: Hugo Magnus on February 28, 2016, 18:46:44
I will speak to Mark at All2wheelers when I have the next service.
Post by: vstroman on March 06, 2016, 07:48:34
Post by: karlandbev on March 06, 2016, 08:17:52
Post by: Pedro41 on March 06, 2016, 19:51:39
Shame they're not doing the wiring harness/frame rub at the same time.......
Post by: Sam on March 08, 2016, 17:18:17
Post by: dogbreath on March 09, 2016, 13:20:53
Post by: vwee on March 09, 2016, 13:29:11
Post by: bigpie on March 09, 2016, 13:57:09
Might be doable if you get there early on and it doesn't need any remedial work. Dealer is wanting mine up to a week. Bit of a faff getting it there and back but not as bad as 200 miles.
Post by: DerekMair on March 09, 2016, 14:16:34
I got my letter in today will see the dealer at the MCN Scottish bike show this Sat see if they have done any yet.
Post by: Hugo Magnus on March 09, 2016, 17:28:31
Post by: Andyonbass on March 09, 2016, 18:34:54
Post by: greywolf on March 09, 2016, 18:59:38
Post by: The Menace on March 09, 2016, 20:10:26
Post by: greywolf on March 09, 2016, 22:19:56
Post by: The Menace on March 10, 2016, 22:35:18
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 10, 2016, 22:57:20
Post by: greywolf on March 10, 2016, 23:02:39
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 11, 2016, 09:01:59
No idea why a motorcycle wouldn't have waterproof connectors in the first place or at least have them located in a less vulnerable area? Big design flaw on Suzuki's part.
Post by: Kev on March 11, 2016, 14:47:35
Post by: Pedro41 on March 11, 2016, 19:16:29
I will mention it to the dealership when I take mine to get the valves done.
If they can't be arsed, I'll wait for the next recall letter.....
Post by: Hondaman on March 11, 2016, 19:58:09
Post by: Pedro41 on March 11, 2016, 20:39:03
Yeah, I'll try that spray grease thanks - it can't do any harm and I do ride in all weathers.
Thanks.
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 11, 2016, 21:09:02
I spayed mine with loads of ACF50 via compressor before they caused me any issues. Suspect the damage had already been done :angry-tappingfoot:
Post by: Pedro41 on March 16, 2016, 20:02:09
I did my connector blocks with ACF 50 via a straw attached. I had to use a torch to see where the cables entered the block behind the top of the radiator. But it wasn't too bad to inject the fluid into the little segments where moisture might accumulate. Should help anyway.
I have some spray grease (synthetic) but its very runny- so I don't know if it will help. I might get some ACF corrosion block grease and try and apply that somehow!
Post by: EvilRacer329 on March 17, 2016, 15:32:42
I'll have a hunt for this connector while I'm in there, I ride in literally all weathers but am pretty liberal with the ACF50 over winter...
Post by: Andyonbass on March 17, 2016, 15:59:23
I very nearly bought a new imported Strom when I was searching for one and now I wonder whether that would have been under the radar with regard to the recall?
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 17, 2016, 18:28:04
I'll have a hunt for this connector while I'm in there, I ride in literally all weathers but am pretty liberal with the ACF50 over winter...
My bike was ACF50'd since new and I've used a compressor to apply it for about 2 years now. I always apply far too much to the hidden places but my connectors gave me issues last August (Mechanic said he'd never seen wires so green!). I would urge anyone to split them, ACF50 and cover with rubber tubing.
Suzuki's website says my 2012 is OK too, although it doesn't recognise my registration number...
Post by: DerekMair on March 20, 2016, 11:45:10
Post by: greywolf on March 20, 2016, 13:36:41
Post by: Zed 25 on March 30, 2016, 11:43:42
Just wondering how many bikes so far, if any have had any thing replaced that are above the 2500 threshold
Post by: bigpie on March 30, 2016, 12:01:05
Post by: Hondaman on March 30, 2016, 12:32:52
Not sure, 3 weeks later the dealer still has my bike and still hadn't looked at it.Which is absolutely shocking.....
Post by: EvilRacer329 on March 30, 2016, 12:43:07
Doesn't help when it's recall work of course...
Post by: Andyonbass on March 30, 2016, 13:41:01
Post by: greywolf on March 30, 2016, 15:44:56
Mine was in for a week - cams and tappets replaced.
Your replacement was due to low mileage. There was not enough use to determine whether accelerated wear would occur. Chances are there was nothing wrong. I've only seen one report on the forums that I can think of where a bike with over 2500 miles needed a cam and tappet replacement.
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 30, 2016, 19:57:08
Post by: bigpie on March 30, 2016, 20:26:55
Complained to Suzuki.
I'm getting it back Saturday, done or not, need to give my mate his bike back
Post by: fenderbender on March 30, 2016, 23:14:57
Post by: EvilRacer329 on March 31, 2016, 07:57:24
Checking the valve clearances isn't super hard, but I'm dreading the day mine need adjustment. Take it to an independent if you can, the dealer's charge criminal rates here in the UK!
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on March 31, 2016, 11:08:22
Post by: EvilRacer329 on March 31, 2016, 11:29:09
Mine isn't either. We must have bikes they know missed the potential contamination issue :lala:
Or so we hope!
Post by: bigpie on March 31, 2016, 11:41:43
Post by: bigpie on March 31, 2016, 15:47:10
Post by: Rusty Nuts on March 31, 2016, 16:18:31
Post by: bigpie on March 31, 2016, 19:44:00
Either mine has been put to the back of the queue or when I dropped it off on the 12th (only day I could get a lift back) they already had a big backlog and didn't tell me.
Post by: sparky on March 31, 2016, 21:05:14
And told bike would not be ready Thursday pm nor Saturday because mechanic was not in on Saturday,asked if they only had one mechanic,
Told it was a specialist job?
Asked to speak to top man,told he would ring me back ( will not hold my breath) so phoned Suzuki uk spoke to a very nice young lady and explained situation having no bike for the weekend,told she would speak to dealer (again did not hold my breath)
17.30 a sale man from dealer phoned to say my bike would not be ready until Wednesday due to staff shortage ,but I could pick up a demo bike on Saturday morning and keep it until I return,
If you are promised a date keep pushing and make a nuisance of your self,recalls are often put to the back of the list.
Post by: spanners on April 03, 2016, 13:25:31
Not at all happy considering that I have 2 weeks until my Germany trip. I would have liked a lot longer to have got some miles under the wheels and gain confidence in the bike.
As a trained vehicle technician I don't like other people playing with my nuts........and bolts.
I have ordered a new Gixer from the same dealer, and I can see that order being cancelled if they don't pull their finger out!
I have also emailed Suzuki to find out approx how long they expect the dealer to have the bike during the recall. I will post if/when I get a response. :groan:
Post by: MartinW on April 03, 2016, 14:00:38
Post by: UK_Vstrom650 on April 03, 2016, 17:36:20
Post by: Rusty Nuts on April 07, 2016, 16:05:55
Post by: crazyhorse on April 09, 2016, 21:40:33
Got my L2 Glee past 52k miles this afternoon, and its running fine.
I did a valve check at 15.5k miles (two shims changed) and again at 34k miles (all within the high end of the spec) so just buttoned it all back up again.
I intend to do the next valve check around 70k miles, unless the bike tells me otherwise.
I agree with Greywolf, that after the initial check the valve clearances stay pretty much within bounds of Suzuki's spec. as long as the oil and filter changes are done at the right times.
A really great bike.
Crazyhorse
Post by: ukiboy on April 09, 2016, 22:12:58
However, I dropped the bike off to the dealers at 09:30 after riding it there (18 miles).
At noon I get a call saying it's all done. Checking valve clearances needs to be done on a totally cold engine.. 2 and a half hours to do all the work on a bike that wasn't cold when they took it in? Need to be concerned?
Post by: mr_diver on April 10, 2016, 11:58:25
I'd be contacting Suzuki before you ride it away
Post by: DerekMair on April 12, 2016, 20:12:01
Derek
Post by: ukiboy on April 13, 2016, 13:41:24
My bike rides beautifully, engine hasn't missed a beat in the 11 odd thousand miles of ownership. It's quiet, starts first time and is smooth and responsive with no changes evident in the last few thousand miles so I'm happy to continue riding it and clock up more miles.
Post by: bigpie on April 13, 2016, 13:58:22
Why they didn't round that to 2 hours I'll never know. I doubt any dealers will track time accurate enough to make the distinction between 114 minutes and 120 minutes.
Post by: ukiboy on April 13, 2016, 15:56:02
I went into quite some detail with that because of what the mechanic told me.
They didn't mention this at all in their email reply so I guess if Suzuki GB are happy then I shouldn't be too concerned myself.
Post by: Jacko on May 05, 2016, 12:21:28
Post by: vwee on July 03, 2016, 22:50:14
Post by: Ccmp on November 18, 2016, 10:17:11
Their mechanic is onsite Tuesday wed and Thursday each week.
They weren’t aware of the recall when I rang them early this year.
Eventually got them to agree to allow a local dealer (50 miles away) to do the job. However, if it was out of spec I would have to take the bike from them and get it to Dublin for the cam replacement at my own cost. Decided to take the chance.
Job done yesterday,(15k miles) but I had to pay for coolant replacement etc. I got the plugs replaced when they had it opened up, throttle bodies checked and connectors cleaned.
Left a typed sheet with instructions for them
Record valve clearances , adjust if necessary.
Check /Change? plugs (Iridium) keep old ones.
Check throttle bodies.
Clean airbox and filter.
Check cable runs for chafing and protect as necessary.
Disconnect connectors particularly those behind rad. Coat with grease.
Clearances were OK as expected, but after being very specific about what I wanted done, I was disappointed to be greeted with a funny look when I asked what the clearances were. They never recorded the readings. Needless to say when they checked with the mechanic, he said that they were in the middle.
Suzuki allowed €85 towards the job. They supplied the gaskets but not the coolant. It took 6 months and about 30 phone calls to get it done. I’m sorry I didn’t do the check myself and forget about the recall.
Dealer was courteous and efficient (apart from recording the clearances), problem seems to be up the line.
Post by: bigpie on November 18, 2016, 11:31:45
.
Post by: Hondaman on November 18, 2016, 13:10:17
I don't particularly trust dealers, I have no idea who is decent (or not...) locally (Millenium or Bolton mc's).
If it went to a dealer, it would close the outstanding recall and I could get the throttle body air screws checked and I woukd like the measured clearances on record for future but listening to Bigpies experience....
If clearances are a bit tight, I bet they wouldn't get done anyway.
Post by: Barbel Mick on November 19, 2016, 18:27:41
Post by: Hondaman on January 16, 2017, 13:29:22
I've just had a call from the dealer and the clearances are out of spec but slightly tight.... so going off Suzukis guidelines, they are ordering the cam & bucket kit, which seems odd to me but Hello ho.
It's the first one they've had that's been out of spec.
L3 glee with ~6300 miles
Post by: greywolf on January 16, 2017, 14:54:06
Post by: Hondaman on January 16, 2017, 15:07:37
There is no logic replacing cams/buckets for a wear issue if clearances are out of spec tight.....
They say they have Suzuki protocol for various eventualities, replacing cams at Suzukis cost with tight clearance being one such scenario. I did query it but the chap at service reception was adamant.
I'd prefer original components left as is, with a reshim in all honesty.
Post by: Hondaman on January 17, 2017, 14:29:57
Reading between the lines, it sounds like my bike is one of the seemingly very few with the wear issue.
I was told if the clearances are too SMALL, you get the cam/bucket kit, if they are too BIG they reshim, which is plainly incorrect.
I think the service reception are getting mixed up mixed up with 'big' & 'small' clearance, although they did mention cam lobe wear as one of the checks (whereby small/under tolerance would indicate wear...) & that some of the cams were 'soft' (despite even Suzuki saying it's due to contamination...)
Parts due in tomorrow, they will give me a sheet with measured clearances upon completion.
It's not great to suggest someone is wrong or lying in such situations so a quick thanks for them keeping me updated & I'm on my way
Lets hope the mechanic is on the ball.
Bollocks.
Post by: greywolf on January 17, 2017, 14:36:02
Post by: Hondaman on January 17, 2017, 14:56:41
I'm feeling the need to do my own re-clearance & torque check upon it's return
Post by: greywolf on January 17, 2017, 15:14:56
Post by: Hondaman on January 17, 2017, 15:18:47
As long as my bike comes back perfect....
Post by: Hondaman on January 19, 2017, 21:37:34
They gave me another call 1/2hr later to ask if the bike had service history & when the services had been done (date & mileage), which I thought rather odd....
Post by: Hondaman on January 21, 2017, 16:59:57
Oil level is marginally overfull & one nut & bolt is missing from the crashbar joining clamp (- why do they need to remove the crash bars to remove fairing & rad????) But other than that they seem to have done a decent job.
Post by: Rusty Nuts on January 21, 2017, 17:04:34
Post by: Hondaman on January 21, 2017, 17:31:56
Crash bars have definately been removed.
I too removed the belly pan, degreased/cleaned the ststor cover & removed bar muffs & various bits of my wiring that may slow the job.
It'll take me ages to get it back to how it was lol