2007 Suzuki LT-R450 cylinderhead problems

[Norrback]

These heads seems to break the camshafts bearings when started in cold weather, I guess thats the problem. Anyone else have the same problem?

Oli is fed from the block trough the block/cylinder gasket, to 2 head bolts, oil goes up around the bolts and trough a drilled hole to the camshaft bearing in the center on the head. This is the second head that breaks in a similar way. There are only a 1mm hole in the block gasket feeding each bearing. I guess if they are started cold in winter weather the oil is so thick until it gets warmer so the camshaft bearing is dry many turns before the oil gets there?

Any thoughts??

Excuse me for my bad english.

/Andre'

[SWR]

Moved your topic to Engine tech, Andrè... Since that's what it is.

Quick test is to pour in some really thin oil and expect it to survive..

[WATT'S SHOP]

I think it would be a GREAT idea to heat the engine before starting it. Why no heating of the engine?

[Norrback]

Well it is not mine, it is a customers ride so I do not know how they use it. It is just my guess that it is the very cold weather ---> thick oil that's the problem. I have also searched on ltr450hq.com but I can't find a singel post with this problem.

Anyone racing this type of vehicle? I think the RMZ 450 bike has the same configuration just a bit different head layout on the intake side because of the carb.

/Andre'

[Norrback]

No one heard of bad experience with this engine?

/Andre'

[Truckracer]

I know a lot of racers with these ATV's and never heard of this problem. But I am not an expert on them either.
Contact these guys, ask for Phil, they do a lot of them. http://www.philscycle.net/home.htm

[miniv8]

If the head-gasket is restricting the oil to 1mm you could open it up, until you have other issues.

until then, keep the heater on it.

[MadBill]

For what it's worth, the one litre Suzuki 3 cylinder Swift/Geo Metro car circa 1990 was well known for seizing the cam in cold weather. (No bearings; ran direct on the head.)
I too would suggest thin oil; maybe 0W-20 synthetic

[leahymtsps]

They race bikes and atvs on ice here all winter. There is about 12 Suzuki 450s in this area and none have had
any camshaft bearing failures (verified by the dealer).

What they have had problems with is crank pin - bearing - rod failures. Everyone of the 450s has had the rod assy.
replaced, some with less than 20 hours on them.

Tom

[Norrback]

They race bikes and atvs on ice here all winter. There is about 12 Suzuki 450s in this area and none have had
any camshaft bearing failures (verified by the dealer).

What they have had problems with is crank pin - bearing - rod failures. Everyone of the 450s has had the rod assy.
replaced, some with less than 20 hours on them.

Tom

this is so confusing...I have to check the oilpump and lines from there, if there is some shit in the way . He runs 10-40 oil.



/Andre'