Triumphrat

MickMaguire · 02-10-2003

Very lean running or innacurate timing can cause detonation, which can in theory cause a spark plug to break up sending pieces of plug into the bore. It is possible that your bike developed a fault in the ignition system which led to this problem. If so that should all be covered under the warranty. If you have been playing with the mixture screws and leaned one cylinder out way too far they may decide that it isn't. T3's are renowned for problems with the ignition pickup, but so far I haven't heard of anything like this.

02-10-2003

Even though I had never heard of this happening, doesn't mean it can't. Went by the shop today,specifically to find out about this "disturbancce in the force" and lo-and-behold, they worked on two machines last year with exactly the same failure ! I didn't ask what brand of plugs just assumed they'd be NGK's. From what I've read since the original post it seems that Mr. Bloor is also aware of the situation. The mechanic also mentioned something about the installation tool/procedure but somebody was telling a joke at the same time and I paid more attention to the joke than mechanic.

02-10-2003

See? This is why bulletin boards are making the world a better place to live.

There has never been a better time in history to have bike trouble!

My thanks to each of you for the advice and counsel.

dolson - Yeah, I agree that if Triumph declines to help out on a 6 month old bike, they would be inviting a strong and unpleasant response. I'm just gonna hold off on thinking much about it until it happens, though. And I think it is in the dealer's interest to make a vigorous case for me. If I have to pay him for it, I'll be nasty and cheap; Triumph is more likely to take a whatever-it-takes approach in participating in the repair plan.

Mick - I haven't touched the carbs. And I don't think it could be running lean based on what Triumph shops have told me has been done. At set up, the selling dealer said he had rejetted and tuned the bike to overcome the government-required leanness and to prevent bluing. At 500 miles, the tech tinkered with the carbs, but, again, didn't mention anything about leanness or timing problems. When I talk with the shop this time, I'll mention the ignition pickup idea as well.

Maurice - Thanks for investigating further.

If you fellas will ride out here to the west coast, I'll be happy to buy each of you a beer and burger at the Rock Store! It's not that far. Dolson, you're right here in the neighborhood anyway. Just get on I-5 and ride south a couple of hours (or is that a couple of days?).

Cheers,
RR in LA

MickMaguire · 02-11-2003

I think you'll be fine with the warranty claim, especially if your dealer concurs that it's a faulty part. I have heard good and bad about warranty claims with Triumph (more good than bad), and it also seems that they are relativelty rare ocurrances (unless you have a "classic"with the gas tank paint problem!). The only times I have heard of them declining to cover a problem whilst in warranty period it has been under circumstances where they had suspicions that the bike had been abused.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

tsportpirate · 02-14-2003

Had the same thing happen to my 99 t-sport. NGK plugs This happened at 26k so they where'nt the first set. At first I was very concerned but did'nt want to lose any riding time and figured if I have to rebuild top end whats the differance.I now have 32k and it runs better than new and still does'nt burn oil I would go after NGK if there is damage though Make sure your mechcanic does a leakdown test instead of just compresion test as it will give a better ideal of damage and make sure you see readings of the other cylinders to compare These motors are tough And if you do have damage might as well go up to 955 pistons.Good luck

02-19-2003

Good news from the shop! Triumph has authorized repair under warranty. Just waiting to find out what they find in there, and how long it will take to remedy.

Stay tuned.

RR

dolson · 02-20-2003

Hey RR sounds great! I was thinking 101 would be more fun if I can stay clear of the Good Sammers.
Same to you, If you are up in Eugene give a yell.
Don

02-20-2003

Good deal ! Anyone know or heard what NGK has to say about these failures, four mentioned on this site, or is Triumph taking the bullet on these malfunctions ?

04-19-2003

I am pleased to announce that my Bird has been liberated. After 70 long days in captivity in the back of the dealer’s shop, I got a call on Thursday that the work was complete, and on Triumph’s dime.

The long wait was mostly a parts acquisition issue. I took the bike in on the morning of Saturday, February 8 for a 3k service, expecting to pick it up in the afternoon. The mechanic found the electrode of the middle cylinder had broken off and disappeared, internal damage unknown and unknowable until Triumph okayed inspection and repair under warranty. Everything took a long time, but the work was approved, and the parts began to dribble in. The last piece was the cylinder head, which held everything up an extra two weeks. Then when it finally arrived, it was black instead of silver. More waiting for the exchange.

But it all worked out in the end. Rode it home from the shop today, and was enchanted all over again with the sound, the pull, the smoooooth tracking. I had forgotten how nice it is.

You should all be aware that, according to my shop, Triumph appears to be aware that a design issue affecting the cylinder head/spark plug interaction can, in some instances, cause the plug to lose its electrode and nick up the piston, cylinder and valves. And they insisted that a new head be part of the job. The service manager told me Triumph didn’t gasp or feign surprise or hesitate an instant to authorize the repairs. Obviously it is not a widespread problem, or we Internet yakkers would have known about it chapter and verse.

Anyway, Triumph was cool (if slow), and I’m back in the saddle again. I would like to thank you guys for your support back at the start of this string. It helped me learn what to expect and what to discuss with the shop.

Finally, a salute to my valiant little Kawi Ninja 250. I picked it up at an obscenely low price soon after the Triumph went down so I could continue riding on Sundays. I thought it would be like a moped with a fairing and I would be glad to sell it for what I paid for it a soon as my Bird could fly again. It turned out to be an excellent handling, easy to service traffic-slayer. It corners like something you’d pay to ride at a carnival, splits freeway lanes without a care, and, when wound up to between 9k and 12k rpm, feels kinda racy to my old bones. Since gas went to $2.25 a gallon out here I haven’t driven my truck to work more than once a week. The Ninja gets 60-70 mpg and makes it fun to be cheap. I don’t think I can sell it now.

I talk too much. See you out there!

Randy R
:-D

[ This message was edited by: ITCHIN2 on 2003-04-19 14:16 ]

dolson · 04-20-2003

Hi Randy R, Happy to know that everything worked out for you in the end and your babe is back home.

Don