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Loss of power in LC4 Loss of power in LC4
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  #1  
Old 27 Feb 2009
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Eamon

Only one reply on the KTM forum so far .....


"Lack of compression would suggest a broken piston ring or worn valve guides."
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  #2  
Old 27 Feb 2009
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Yea I'd agree. Sounds like you're heading towards a catstrophic failure if you're doing them on what seems a daily basis. Best to suggest you take your top end apart to have a good luck and see whats going on.
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Old 28 Feb 2009
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Thanks to all for your replies.

I tryed going through a few easy tests today before taking her to a mechanic. It was raining very heavy here today (more so than usual for rainy season) and the bike is outside so i didnt get much done.

What i did do is do a compression check. The first reading was 50 PSI (344kPa). Then i put a couple of ml of engine oil down the spark plug hole and re-measured, this time the reading was 55 PSI (379 kPa).
Now my manual doesnt say what the compression readings should be so i cant read much into these numbers. Does anyone have a idea what they should be?
Bear in mind that its a 400cc LC4 not a 640. The 400 manual says the ratio is 10.3:1, the 640 manual says 11.5:1

I also drained the oil and looked at the sump magnetics. There was a lot of metal on them. Normally i might see a speck but there was a lot and some of them appeared biggish to me. I´ll try and post a pic later.

So tomorrow i´m going to track down a good mechanic. Anyone know one in cusco?

Thanks,
Eamon
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  #4  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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Again thanks to all for your replies.

Well, i lifted the valve cover today and the intake cam follower bearing had broken in pieces. The resulting particles have damaged the cam shaft itself, most of the bearings on the camshaft and the rocker arms. I will post a few pics later.
The mechanic and I spent a few hours going around to the bearings shops trying find replacement bearings for the camshaft but could not find any. He reckoned it might be possible to repair the camshaft itself but that a new one would be better. There is a fair chip taken out of the exhaust. Any thoughts there?
I got a quote from KTM Lima for a replacement cam shaft and bearings and rockers for around US$600 and 20 days. However the mechanic forgot to say it was the 400cc LC4, so the quotes are for the 625, 640 or the 660. Would anyone have an idea if they would be the same?

Is there any chance that there are other problems lurking in the engine that I havent come across yet? I havent looked at the piston yet. What about all the metal that has been floating around (I even found an intact pin from the cam follower bearing in the sump oil). (Havent looked at oil filters or oil in the tube yet).

Thanks,
Eamon
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Old 3 Mar 2009
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Originally Posted by eamofromcork View Post
Again thanks to all for your replies.

I got a quote from KTM Lima for a replacement cam shaft and bearings and rockers for around US$600 and 20 days. However the mechanic forgot to say it was the 400cc LC4, so the quotes are for the 625, 640 or the 660. Would anyone have an idea if they would be the same?
Most likely not, at least not the camshaft. I needed these parts in Chile and they didn't have the LC4 400 camshaft, I had to order it from Germany, it did cost 130 Euros + 170 for shipping and 100 for customs. I got it from KTM Sommer, they had it in stock. The shop doesn't exist anymore, they were taken over by KTM Team West (http://www.ktmteamwest.com). They do send parts to South America by courier and might have the part. If you can get everything for 600 US you would probably be better off though.
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