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Reporting disaster. After approx 20 miles on a run yesterday, my A3 series Sport started to lose power and started making one hell of a racket. I stopped to notice that the engine was also running very hot. Being forced to carry on as I was in the middle of nowhere, after letting it cool for 10 - 15 minutes I restarted the engine (kick start only). It was still rough and wouldn't tick over, but it got me the 15 miles to my destination at low speed with engine noise getting worse all the time. No oil was being burnt; compression seemed okay, just very hot and very noisy. Once the engine had cooled after an hour or so, I tried to kick the engine over, but only found to my dismay that it has seized.

Oil level is still high, plugs are light brown. Any ideas on cause? Engine was running on super unleaded with a fuel additive and octane booster.

Hi,

Bad luck, initial thoughts would be oil pump failure or blocked oil way? other issues could be timing issue either ignition related or valve timing via belt problem ( ie tooth missing on belt). Hope the damage is not to serious. Keep us updated with what you find.

Regards

Robin

Hi Robin. Many thanks for your thoughts. A failure of the lubrication system would explain why the bikes performance went from hero to zero in about half a mile. Alternatively, the ignition timing may have slipped (i.e. retarded), but I know for a fact that the stator was secure so overheating due to oil starvation may be the reason.

The bike had been stood for years before I got it 12 months ago. I had to change the clutch and main oil seal and was particularly wary of the little green grommet that sits between the oil pump and main oil feed in the nearside casing. Maybe it wasn't straight or had dropped out during the build? I'll find out soon enough.

The bike is still 40 miles away where I left it (thankfully in a garage) and I won't be able to get down to tend to it for a week or so. I'll give NLM a call tomorrow (Tues) to discuss further, but I suspect that I'm looking at an engine out and complete strip down job. Having run the bike for 15 miles in a very sorry state, I fear the worst; however, a rebore to 382cc (?) has its attractions - I just pray that the cam and crank are okay

Cheers

Martin

Martin

I don't know the lubrication system on the Morini to well, but at least it has a wet sump so maybe the crank is ok and the pistons took the worst of it. Good idea re the overbore at least you get a power boost for the hassle and money. With my engine it ran up until last May, then I rebuilt the whole bike ie different wheels, swinging arm and forks etc. All the engine will get is a new belt, different air filter and larger main jets, plus a tune up. I started it after 10 months layoff in the back garden and it ran fine. Keep us posted on your repairs.

Robin

What was the outcome?

Hi. No outcome as yet. I have just returned from a week's holiday and will be collecting the bike in prep for stripdown tomorrow. I intend sending it to NLM for diagnosis. Once I know the score, I'll post key points from the report.

Well. it's been a few weeks and the dust is settling. I was able to spend a couple of hours on the bike last night in prep for getting the engine out and down to NLM for a stripdown and report next week.

On draining the oil, there was that heart stopping sound of gravel in a plastic bucket that turned out to be several large flakes of metal dropping into the pan. It look as as thought the main bearing on the crank has disintergrated. Cause unknown, but I suspect corrosion from condensation may have done the deed.

Under the previous owner, the bike had stood in a shed for several years and had only covered less than 100 miles during that period. I'm guessing that a series of very short journeys interspersed with long periods of storage meant that any moisture couldn't get out of the crankcase. The occasional warming and cooling of the oil wasn't enough to get rid of it, and the bearing surfaces may have corroded. Then I come along. I change the oil (which stank of petrol - the previous may not have closed the manual petrol taps, causing fuel to see down into the crankcase through the cylinders) and start riding it around regularly at revs > 6000rpm and hey presto! Crunch!

That's the current theory. Once I get the report from NLM I'll have a much clearer idea. Let's just hope that the premium bonds come up this month .