• Ciao Guest - You’ve landed at the ultimate Guzzi site. NEW FORUM REGISTRATIONS REQUIRE EMAIL ACTIVATION - CHECK YOUR SPAM FOLDER - Use the CONTACT above if you need help. New to the forum? For all new members, we require ONE post in the Introductions section at the bottom, in order to post in most of the other sections. ALWAYS TRY A SEARCH BEFORE STARTING A NEW TOPIC - Most questions you may have, have likely been already answered. DON'T BE A DRIVE-BY POSTER: As a common courtesy, check back in and reply within 24 hours, or your post will be deleted. Note there's decades of heavily experienced Guzzi professionals on this site, all whom happily give endless amounts of their VALUABLE time for free; BE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL!
  • There is ZERO tolerance on personal attacks and ANY HYPERLINKS to PRODUCT(S) or other competing website(s), including personal pages, social media or other Forums. This ALSO INCLUDES ECU DIAGnostic software, questions and mapping. We work very hard to offer commercially supported products and to keep info relevant here. First offense is a note, second is a warning, third time will get you banned from the site. We don't have the time to chase repeat (and ignorant) offenders. This is NOT a social media platform; It's an ad-free, privately funded website, in small help with user donations. Be sure to see the GTM STORE link above; ALL product purchases help support the site, or you can upgrade your Forum profile or DONATE via the link above.
  • Be sure to see the GTM STORE link also above for our 700+ product inventory, including OEM parts and many of our 100% Made-in-SoCal-USA GTM products and engine kits. In SoCal? Click the SERVICE tab above for the best in service, tires, tuning and installation of our products or custom work, and don't miss our GT MotoCycles® (not) art on the BUILDS tab above. WE'RE HERE ONLINE ONLY - NO PHONE CALLS MADE OR RECEIVED - DO NOT EMAIL AND ASK QUESTIONS OR ASK TO CALL YOU.
  • Like the new V100, GuzziTech is full throttle into the future! We're now running on an all-new server and we've updated our Forum software. The visual differences are obvious, but hopefully you'll notice the super-fast speed. If you notice any glitches or have any issues, please post on the Site Support section at the bottom. If you haven't yet, please upgrade your account which is covered in the Site Support section or via the DONATE tab above, which gives you full site access including the DOWNLOADS section. We really appreciate every $ and your support to keep this site ad-free. Create an account, sign in, upgrade your account, and enjoy. See you on the road in 2024.

pinging in mark 5 le mans

B

brendanlee

Just got it firing!
Joined
May 31, 2011
Messages
6
hi I have a mark 5 le mans with a lucas ritta ignition module . The motor has started pinging under acceleration on the highway. is their anything other than the timing that would cause the pinging . I have retarded the timing but it is still there. Could a worn timing chain cause it . I have been told that the lucas ignition could be playing up . it didn't always do it and I think it is getting worse.. the motor starts fine and idles great. What other areas should I check before I start changing things . Thanks
 
One of the causes is quality of fuel, use the highest octane fuel you can find with good cleaning properties. Another is carbon build up in the cylinders. Use the factory timing recommendations. As for the Lucas ignition system I'm not familiar with that system, just the stock and Dyna systems. My suggestion for now (until corrected), if she pings, downshift. You don't want to inflict any damage. I'd stay with the first option of good fuel to see if that helps before checking for carbon build up.
 
The Lucas system locks the advance mechanism in the distributor and relies on a single stage jump to full advance at a certain engine speed, (3,500 from memory.) its a fairly crude and crappy system.

Having said that the fact that it started detonating and seems to be getting worse would indicate another cause and if I was to hazard a guess, seeing as the bike is a Mk V with the big-valve engine, I'd think worn valve guides allowing oil contamination of the incoming charge would be the most likely option.

Big valve heads are very hard on their valve guides. Whip the heads off, remove the springs and check the valve to guide clearance. Betcha they'll flop about like a cock in a sock! New valves and a set of K-lines will sort that issue and I bet the detonation will vanish too.

Pete
 
pete roper said:
The Lucas system locks the advance mechanism in the distributor and relies on a single stage jump to full advance at a certain engine speed, (3,500 from memory.) its a fairly crude and crappy system.

Having said that the fact that it started detonating and seems to be getting worse would indicate another cause and if I was to hazard a guess, seeing as the bike is a Mk V with the big-valve engine, I'd think worn valve guides allowing oil contamination of the incoming charge would be the most likely option.

Big valve heads are very hard on their valve guides. Whip the heads off, remove the springs and check the valve to guide clearance. Betcha they'll flop about like a cock in a sock! New valves and a set of K-lines will sort that issue and I bet the detonation will vanish too.

Pete
Click to expand...

Pete,

Good to know. If mine starts to ping I'll know where to look.
 
Have a look at the spark plugs and see how they are, sometimes just a change of plugs can sort these things out. If you can't get it sorted soon though I'd stop riding the bike, that pinging can cause damage quite quickly!
 
interesting article from pete . When I started and warmed the bike up this morning I noticed it was fuming a bit from the left pipe which I never noticed lately . I did a top end overhaul about 15000 ks ago (rings followers and had the heads done . The seats were redone with a hot scroll method where they scroll a raised edge and then ream it to size. I was assured it was a good technique. Maybe I need k lines. How does the leaking seals cause pinging.. hopefully I can solve this issue and get the old girl on the road again Thanks
 
it is late at night and I have mixed a few items up . I have mentioned seats and seals in my previous post but I meant valve guides instead . Too many things running through my head.. sorry how does the worn valve guide cause the pinging. Thanks Brendan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top