2007 FJR1300A - the Lump (aka engine) is dying

[Geezer]

Sorry that your engine is wearing out. I guess we will hear more things like this as more of use reach the higher mileage you have achieved.

Something to think about is that the engine is not the only part that wears with time and mileage. Being a very frugal person when it comes to vehicles, I have a lot of experience with high mileage cars and trucks and I know that at some point things just wear out and after each fix it is not long before something else needs attention. If you can't do your own repairs it very quickly reaches a point where repairs cost more than the value of the vehicle.

 

[dcarver]

Data point. I paid 1300 usd for a 5k mile 08 engine. Stateside, of course.

 

[Bungie]

Compression loss rarely can be reversed without getting your hands dirty unless your extremely lucky.

Only a leakdown test will pinpoint the culprit.

You mentioned a uni air filter. That's one of those oiled foam filters isn't it? Given that you have appeared to have a done an otherwise good job looking after the engine. I'm going to suspect that your compression loss is due to crappy air filtration (read: word valves/cylinders). I've seen the premature death a few times before with K&N filters. Those things should be banned.

Do the leakdown test if only to give some closure to speculation. At this point, barring a miracle cure from ring free, you will at the very least require major work.

Sucks. My condolences

 

[rPGoatBoy]

Before you write off the motor, I'd check for little things. IIRC your stated problem was that you couldn't maintain idle speed. Is it overheating at all? It might be something stupid, like a dry rotted and cracked vacuum cap / line, or maybe a bad injector, maybe a bad coil, etc. etc. Have you checked the fuel tank vent system lately? Take a look at the throttle bodies when you get the chance.

Dynamic compression readings aren't exactly the best indicator of the death of an engine; a good data point, but not a litmus test. My '96 Royal Star with 98k on the clock had abysmal compression readings the last time I checked a couple of years ago. It's out in the parking lot now (at work), and it still runs fine.

But yeah, I don't think I'd throw too much $$ at it with that high of mileage.

 

[bergmen]

You DID hold the throttle wide open during the compression tests, yes? Extremely important, you will not get accurate readings unless you do this (much lower).

Dan

 

[supertankerm60a3]

Oops, I was thinking of a different bike engine when I said you had to go through the whole gear train to get to the crank.

 

[dcarver]

I'd be tempted to just run it till she drops.

Everything in the motor is worn, top to bottom, front to rear.

She owes you NOTHING.

 

[JamesK]

I'd be tempted to just run it till she drops. Everything in the motor is worn, top to bottom, front to rear.

She owes you NOTHING.

Unfortunately, she dropped, while I was out on a ride, about 800 km from home.

My best guestimate is a blown head gasket but will know more once the bike is shipped back to a local workshop. If it's just a head gasket I guess it's worth repairing, however, I fear it's not that simple.

 

[JamesK]

I have started looking for a replacement engine, unfortunately it's not looking very likely that I'll be able to find one easily or quickly here in Japan.

Can anyone please confirm whether the 2009-2012 "A" engines are compatible with a 2007 FJR1300A?

If so that would really help in broadening the search parameters.

 

[JamesK]

Does anyone know the approximate dimensions and weight (for shipping) of an FJR motor? I think my only viable options for a replacement engine are to purchase one from US or Europe, so need to figure out what kind of shipping costs I can expect.

 

[RossKean]

If it was "just" a head gasket, I don't think it would exhibit your original symptoms (i.e. uniformly low compression across all cylinders). If you decide to get into the top end to see what's up, I would be interested in the diagnosis. Sorry I can't help with confirmation with compatible replacements. Just checked ebay and found

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-YAMAHA-FJR1300-FJR-1300-MOTOR-ENGINE-TRANSMISSION-/350744419637?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a9ff1d35&vxp=mtr

Don't need to be concerned about the year!

Good luck with finding a reasonably priced donor motor - hope shipping charges aren't too crazy! A bit ironic that you are living where these things are built and have to procure a replacement from halfway around the world!

 

[rPGoatBoy]

The engine is right around 200 lbs, and it's this big by that big.

 

[JamesK]

If it was "just" a head gasket, I don't think it would exhibit your original symptoms (i.e. uniformly low compression across all cylinders). If you decide to get into the top end to see what's up, I would be interested in the diagnosis. Sorry I can't help with confirmation with compatible replacements. Just checked ebay and foundhttps://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-YAMAHA-FJR1300-FJR-1300-MOTOR-ENGINE-TRANSMISSION-/350744419637?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a9ff1d35&vxp=mtr

Don't need to be concerned about the year!

Good luck with finding a reasonably priced donor motor - hope shipping charges aren't too crazy! A bit ironic that you are living where these things are built and have to procure a replacement from halfway around the world!

Thanks for the link Ross, I'm already checking with the seller about whether he'd be prepared to ship it to Japan. Agreed, it's total lunacy, the damn Yamaha factory is around 5 hrs away by highway from my house

I guess you might be right, so will have them examine the valve guides, etc. I also just picked up a throttle body assembly complete with all 4 injectors so will swap these newer injectors in as well, as I'm a little dubious about some/one of them. You can't get the injectors cleaned/serviced in Japan in one of those ultrasound baths, they just trash them and buy new, which are stupidly expensive.

The engine is right around 200 lbs, and it's this big by that big.

Thanks rPGoatBoy

 

[JamesK]

There is a 16k mile engine on eBay out of the UK, but it's from a 2010A bike, does anyone know if it will work in a 2007 FJR1300A?

 

[RossKean]

I have never heard that there have been any issues with respect to compatibility between any Gen II engines but I can't tell you for certain. I do know that Don Carver replaced his 2006 engine with a 2008 without issues. You might want to read his story if you have an hour or two to spare. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/142296-krzy8-down-n-out/page-1

Might also want to drop a line to FJRay about his intimate knowledge about these engines.

I did want to remind you to verify that any engine you buy is from an "A" model. The "AE" won't work for you because of transmission differences. I see that the UK engine you are checking is an "A"; the one that I linked didn't specify.

 

[JamesK]

I have never heard that there have been any issues with respect to compatibility between any Gen II engines but I can't tell you for certain. I do know that Don Carver replaced his 2006 engine with a 2008 without issues. You might want to read his story if you have an hour or two to spare. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php/topic/142296-krzy8-down-n-out/page-1Might also want to drop a line to FJRay about his intimate knowledge about these engines.

I did want to remind you to verify that any engine you buy is from an "A" model. The "AE" won't work for you because of transmission differences. I see that the UK engine you are checking is an "A"; the one that I linked didn't specify.

Thanks for your advice Ross, just sent FJRay a PM.

I've read through some of Don's write up before, but will look at it again, I do know that the 2006-2008 A engines are fully compatible, it's the 09-12 that I need to figure out.

 

[Unleaded]

I have nothing to add here, other than that threads like THIS are what attracted me to the FJR....talking about 200k miles on a motorcycle engine alone is amazing. Trying to decide whether to keep the bike at 200k miles is just awesome.

 

[rPGoatBoy]

I'm about 99% certain a '09 - '12 engine should be a drop in replacement; I can't think of any connection that would give you fits. The only mechanical difference I'm aware of between those engines is a minor transmission difference which you probably won't even notice while shifting.

 

[RossKean]

I know its not a confirmation about your situation but on a bit of an Internet search, I found a thread where a guy managed to put a 2010 engine into a '05 Gen I bike! He had to deal with a few issues but from what I could tell, it worked. Can't imagine you would have ANY issues with the 2007...

https://www.fjrowners.com/forums/9-fjr-technical/23497-2010-fjr1300-engine-swap-2005-model.html

 

[JamesK]

Thanks Ross.

On your advice I've also been PMing with FJRay, who's been extremely helpful.