Thunderbird 1600 ABS OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM

[Flynstone]

Thanks for the recommendation Fred, I may try that, my 14 Commander has the rattles too. I found out about the rattle problem and other issues after I bought the bike, all reviews and write ups of the bike are all positive and none mention any of the negatives.

I only found out after joining the boards, after, while at the dealer signing new paperwork for a lower interest rate I was able to add a 2 year warranty for about half of what the dealer originally quoted for 3 years. I am thinking of at the end of next summer (about 1 1/2 years of warranty) having the dealer check out the fix, am I correct that they have fixed the rattle with new pistons and sleeves? But, do I want them to open a good engine if the rattle doesn't cause long term damage?

Arrowbear,
IMHO, if mine was still under warranty, I'd do it. My local Triumph dealer has done 3-4 of them and says it really solves the problem. The new pistons have 4mm longer skirts and the bore is some .005 tighter. He quoted $3,200-3,500 for the job, but I just can't justify that kind of expenditure on a bike I bought for $8,000. And while I can buy the parts for around $1000 and I've rebuilt lots of engines, it's a big job. I'd ask your dealer if he's done them before and how it turned out. Ask for details about what it involves, maybe he introduces you to the technician who will do the work. If he sounds confident, he's probably has the skill to do it right.

Good luck.

 

[Arrowbear rider]

Thanks for the details on the fix, I'll have to talk with the dealer, maybe even this winter while the bike would be parked (live @ 6,200 ft) since it'll probably be a few weeks just to get the parts.

Dealer had a Thunderbird, same as mine, color and all, sitting in the shop with the tank and seat off waiting on parts, I wonder if they were doing the same piston replacement? If anyone in SoCal knows of a dealer that they trust, please post, my closest dealer is Douglas Triumph a very small dealer, but they seem to attract some high end (a couple of movie folk) customers from LA and have been around since the 60s

 

[dazco]

Daz... they make oversized oil plugs. Check in any chain auto parts house.

I know, but i read a lot about them and a lot of it was worrisome.

 

[dazco]

@dazco Have you thought about having a helicoil installed in the sump drain plug hole? Will retain the existing thread size and plug then.

I asked a shop about it and they weren't sure if they could do it, and this was a well known shop with a world class service dept.

 

[Linkdog]

Fred, was " upgrade " for the 1600 or 1700 ? Do you have part #s ?

 

[VABird]

I know, but i read a lot about them and a lot of it was worrisome.

I've had one in my tractor for several years without issue.
If it's a concern about loosening up, drill a hole through 2 adjacent flats and safety-wire it.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...c8c609bd8b61e3464fc6f46307ca9e0f&action=click

 

[dazco]

I've had one in my tractor for several years without issue.
If it's a concern about loosening up, drill a hole through 2 adjacent flats and safety-wire it.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...c8c609bd8b61e3464fc6f46307ca9e0f&action=click

There are a few reasons, but the main one is if i screw it up by cross threading it or crack the pan or any number of possible failures i'm screwed because my living situation won't allow for a job like pan replacement. So i'd end up with a non operational bike and the cost to have it towed and fixed would cost more then the bike is worth if i sold it. If i owned a house it would be a different story, but i read a lot of things that suggest for various reasons it's a process that can fail in some cases and i just can't chance that.

 

[The Hornet]

Arrowbear,
IMHO, if mine was still under warranty, I'd do it. My local Triumph dealer has done 3-4 of them and says it really solves the problem. The new pistons have 4mm longer skirts and the bore is some .005 tighter. He quoted $3,200-3,500 for the job, but I just can't justify that kind of expenditure on a bike I bought for $8,000. And while I can buy the parts for around $1000 and I've rebuilt lots of engines, it's a big job. I'd ask your dealer if he's done them before and how it turned out. Ask for details about what it involves, maybe he introduces you to the technician who will do the work. If he sounds confident, he's probably has the skill to do it right.

Good luck.

Hi Fred, This is my first post other than my introduction but I'll cut right to the chase.
Can you expand on these details as this is something I've been dealing with for 6 or so years. And I'm aware of several other who would be quite interested to find a fix. I'm really surprised this thread hasn't gone viral
My first clacker was a 2010 with the 1700 plant and my second clacker is a 2014 Commander I still own.
Traded the 2010 after clacking, a rebuild and clacking returned. and lucky me the 2014 Commander I traded it for started the same thing after a few thousand miles. It also has been rebuilt, it also stated the clacking again after 600 miles. Trust me I know the difference in top end ticking noise and the dreaded clacking.

Can you tell us who this dealer is you're referring to?
Who is the point of contact, the person you discussed the fix with?
Seems he offered you spec's so this sounds like new design pistons and skirts, which I assume would mean NEW Triumph part numbers.
Do you know what time-frame he's referring to for the "3-4 of them he's fixed" ? Recently? Over a period of years etc?

Thanks in advance for your reply