Hello,

I let the bike run out of oil (don't need to tell me how stupid it was - but it had never burned oil on normal driving around Ontario between oil changes) and thought I'd seized the engine upon arriving in Puerto Vallarta from Toronto on Sunday.

However a mechanic said the engine seems fine (after revving it and asking me how often I rode) but that there is a problem with the valves related to the ticking noise the engine makes.

My question for anyone/everyone is does the ticking on the KLR need to be dealt with or is it just an annoyance?

If it needs to be dealt with, does anyone know what parts are needed and if any decent mechanic will be able to do it?

And finally, will the dealers in Puerto Vallarta or Mexico City have the aforementioned part(s)?

I did also have a minor crash in the Copper Canyon that may have messed up some things - not to mention the full-on crazy rubble I was driving over occasionally...

cheers
James.

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2000 KLR650
trip log: http://tripdown.regioncoding.com

Ouuuuuuch.
Did the motor stop running when ,you say, you ran it out of oil? or did you ride it until the oil level went below the sight glass ? If it seized up it would have come to an abrupt solid locked up motor stop. If you ran the oil down too low you might have gotten off a bit easier with a major overheated and worn motor that still turns over and runs. .
Running it out of oil and seizing it up is a major problem.
If the ticking was not present before this event it suggests some damage and even if it runs now with a lot of new oil it would be best to have a bit of investigation done to assess any possible damage and/or repairs before it turns into a catastrophic failure somewhere inconvenient along the roads.. Sorry , I cannot refer you to any mechanics in the PV area , but others may have that info. You may have to eventually get the bike trucked to Guadalajara where there are larger Kawasaki dealers who will have no trouble getting the required parts- but it will take time and dinero.
If you need to truck it you can probably locate any number of " fleteros" in PV- guys with small pickup trucks who hire out to haul people and their goods into the back country or to the big cities. Ask around, they may set up in the mornings around a plaza or designated "sitio"
Best of luck to you.

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Hi James;
Has your KLR had a US made doohickey upgrade,a ticking noise can be the first indication that there is a problem with a broken spring or adjuster in this area. Doohickey failure can lead to expensive motor damage.
Regards Ben

Sjoerd and Ben,

re: Did the motor stop running when ,you say, you ran it out of oil? or did you ride it until the oil level went below the sight glass ?

I stopped to look at a map for 10 minutes, when I started it and began to drive away the it slipped out of gear with a very dry metallic sound and then wouldn't start again. I checked the oil level and it was completely dry. It took 1.5 liters to get it back to recommended level in the glass guage.

I'm not sure if I should drive it to Mexico City or just try to get (something- valves?) replaced now before continuing.

re: doo upgrade

I haven't done the doo-hickey upgrade. I have of course put tons of weight on the bike (3 large Pelican cases) and lots of very rough riding. You have given me more to worry about though!

Ok, so it could be either the balancer/tensioner or it could be the valves as the mechanic suggested, and possibly some damage from the lack of oil.

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to respond - I would really like my trip to continue with my trusted KLR companion...

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2000 KLR650
trip log: http://tripdown.regioncoding.com

..:: KDM : Kawasaki de México ::..

If you do need repairs I would suggest not pushing your luck by trying to ride all the way to the DF.
Click on the above website and you can pick one of the Kawasaki shops in Jalisco state i.e. Guadalajara , much closer to PV and if you do need to truck it as far, less costly. "
Guadalajara is one of the main distrubution centers for bikes,parts and accessories in Mexico.Note that in the KDM listings you do not see anything under GUADALAJARA because the bike shops are concentrated in the newer upscale northwest sector called ZAPOPAN .All bike brands are represented there.
There are even several listings for PV but I think you will find that they deal more in the smaller sizes and KYMCO bikes and scooters, but who knows, check them out first, you might get a surprise. But then, maybe you already did that when you got your diagnosis.

Recently got a message from another KLR rider who also ran his bike dry and he had to replace the head because the camshaft bearings were ruined plus other bits scored.

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