Newbie Engine Problems Please Help

K

kingvillardgs850

New Member
Hey I'm new and want to repair bikes and have been wanting to build a café racer for so long so I went ahead got started on it. I just bought a 1982 Suzuki gs850 and it has a hard start problem, and on the top end it would seem the valves or cam are making noise and some oil leaking coming from pipes also the there could be a vacuum leak as well. I'm going to start with the noise first and go through fixing the others after. What I want to know is how to go about fixing it because I really want to do it myself but I'm not so sure on how to. I have very little experience so please have patience and be very very specific with me.

Here is a video on how it sounds that I made please help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7svXRgMM8
 
Take it to a professional.

If you can't afford to take it to a professional, sell it.

And with that, for a hearty debate I'm sure, the groundwork has been laid.
 
Btw I dare someone to tell this kid to rebuild his inline 4 with no experience.

You have a very worn engine. If you like riding, ride it till it stops running. If you like looking at it, take it apart.

$1000 minimum to rebuild that top end correctly.

Still wanna take it apart?
 
I was going to rebuild it that's how you learn, why not im not an idiot plus I have access to all the tools plus my dad is a mechanic so I'll have the help just need to know how to do it
 
I always find it difficult to diagnose engine noises on YouTube. Especially when the engine is idling at about 2500rpm.


Get a workshop manual and read the crap out of it. You need to check the valve clearances first, then get the carbs cleaned and sync'd. Then you can work out if it needs engine work.


The oil leak is most likely from the cam cover gasket, although it can be from the cam chain tensioner or the head nuts. Wouldn't worry too much about this until you do some work on getting it to run better first up.


Did I say get a manual? Oh yeah I did.
 
Ahh, just do what i did, tear it down and when you hit a problem go get the old man. Then after enjoying him mocking your ineptitude for engine work and being told just what to do you do that, fail miserably, then pay a pro to put it together right
 
Ok thanks hillsy I check with a pro that valve clearance could be my problem so I'm going to read the manual a couple of times before diving at it thanks for the help also with the oil issue how would I stop that when I get it running right.
 
You need to degrease the engine thoroughly and then run it to see where the leak is coming from.


First things first though - how many miles on the bike? any known history? High miles could mean it needs a cam chain if it has a noisy top end.


The first thing you should do is a compression test. If that's OK then check the valve clearances and visually inspect the top end while you're in there. Then get the carbs cleaned and sync'd. New set of spark plugs. Change the oil.


Then see how it runs.
 
Cam chain tensioner is stuck. Knurled wheel underneath carbs. Get a pliers and back it of then let it spring back. You should be able to turn it with your fingers.
If you have no experience, you will break some expensive hard to find stuff. Get a scrap chinese pit bike to practice on OHC motors
 
It was the valves some are to tight and some are the loose but now comes the problem of taking out the shims. I was told to take the cams out to do the work but what I want to know is wont it be hard to put the chain back on it. My thought was the chain has to be put to a certain tightness or when I am putting it back on it will tighten up as I torque the bolts any ideas. Also the bike has 22,290 miles on it the guy that I got it from said he did top work but looks like not very well but it's whatever also it has a vecuum leake to
 
Procedure is in the manual for check / changing shims. Get the tool that depresses the valve and it's pretty easy. Taking out cams is not necessary with the shim over bucket style valves and you'll probably break some of the cam cap bolts anyway.


Check your cam timing and the cam chain tensioner like PJ said.
 
Do not be daunted by the bad advice of others. Your motorcycle was designed and engineered so average mechanics could perform any conceivable repair. You will encounter no issue beyond the abilities of a determined and patient person of average intelligence. Lack of knowledge or experience should be in no way a deterrent. Both of those are easily acquired. If determination and patience are a part of your character, you are well on your way. Knowledge is readily available here and many other easy to access places that will cost you nothing. Experience? Well you only get it by doing, and probably you will pay the price most everyone does which means maybe breaking things sometimes and occasionally doing things over. There is absolutely nothing that is hard in the least about rebuilding a motorcycle (or anything else) engine. It is only hard if you you are either too lazy to find out the knowledge you lack or can't muster the staying power to see things through if they get a little tougher than you expected.
 
kingvillardgs850 said:
Ok checked the clearance and everything and they were off I'm going to take them out but how do I check the tensioner.
Click to expand...


Did you get a workshop manual? All the procedures / checks are in there.


Don't start pulling stuff apart until you have read the manual. Like jpmobius says it's not overly hard, but you need to know what you are doing or else things can go seriously wrong real quick.


Probably a good idea to start working on this with your mechanic dad.
 
I did get the manual and my dad has been helping me, I just didn't want to start some and find out later there's a simpler way of doing something.
 
yeah absolutely go with it. Use forums, manuals, watch videos, read, take your time, don't just rip things apart but there's only one way to learn. don't listen to anyone negative on this forum, half these guys just have nothing constructive to do with their time.
 
with that last comment, this forum has saved my ass more times than I can count. there are a lot of really good guys here, but just like anywhere else, chumps as well. sounds like you're on the right track
 
The GS range of Suzuki's are the easiest ever to do valve adjustment. (even easier than screw and locknut) just get the special tool as previously mentioned. Exhaust's are probably tight (common problem) Intakes generally don't wear much so rarely need adjusting after the second time
Exhaust valves do tighten up and will burn if not adjusted every few thousand miles (until it gets to around 30,000, then check every 10,000 or so)
 
Someday you could be sportin around on this.

1VbchmI.jpg
 
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