iiisecondcreep Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 I had message yesterday from the blokey who is servicing/MOT'ing my viff ('96 vfr750) to say that the spark plug in the rear cylinder snapped and was stuck in, and removing it is proving to be extremely problematic.He is saying it might be a huge job requiring either engine strip and removal of the damaged cylinder or worst case a new engine. Posted this on the VFR forum and they seem to be generally agreeing thats its likely at least to be an engine out job.He's away on hols now so won't be getting another update for several weeks, I was just wondering if anyone on here had any experience of this, and if so what was the outcome? Quote
Tango Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 I would think that the worst case scenario would be a new cylinder head.....but if the head is taken to a decent engineering company I'm sure they'd be able to get the remains of the plug out without damaging the plug thread. Quote
Zipster Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 Did blokey fit the plugs in the first place? I would be of the opinion that whoever installed the plugs is responsible for the cost of repair. I take it the plug has sheared between the thread and the hex nut? Quote
Mr Fro Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 I would be of the opinion that whoever installed the plugs is responsible for the cost of repair.Bit of a leap that one isn't it?!Not great that he's pottered off on his hols without sorting something out with your bike though (e.g. another mechanic).As Mr T says, worst case is another head and a bit of labour to fit it. Quote
Chrissb6 Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 The question needs to asked what has snapped off? Is it the porcelain top or the treaded bottom from the hexagon head? If the latter it should only be a bench job on the head only and then only if an extractor kit can't get it in situ. An heli coil repair is all that's needed if the thread is shot. No way should they be talking of a new engine unless they want to stand the cost?? I would be somewhat disappointed if my bike had gone in for a service and this happened, and even more so if l got to wait for the mechanic to come back off his jollies before work will resume. Sounds very much like someone tried to get leverage to unscrew the plug on an angle and snapped it off instead of gaining proper square on access. Hope your soon sorted, not the time of the year to be without your bike Quote
Stu Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 At worst head gasket and helicoil IMO once the head is off its just a case of getting the plug out which may mean damage to the threads which a helicoil will fix Quote
eastanglianbiker Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 you cant get the rear head off the vfr without dropping the engine it weas hard enough removing cam cover involveing removing rear sub frame and moving it back a couple of inches to gain access but once engine out then like he others have said it depends on how its snapped in the hole as they are buried deep into the head Quote
Joeman Posted June 21, 2014 Posted June 21, 2014 If its a new plug I'd be pretty annoyed...Fits new plug, over tightens it, snaps it off then buggers off on holiday... Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted July 23, 2014 Author Posted July 23, 2014 Finally heard back from blokey today, apparently he managed to get the spark plug out with out any major drama. Quote
Joeman Posted July 23, 2014 Posted July 23, 2014 Finally heard back from blokey today, apparently he managed to get the spark plug out with out any major drama.Sounds like it was a case of pre-holiday lazyness. Couldn't be arsed to do your bike so made up and excuse and buggered off on holiday!Lol Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 11, 2014 Author Posted August 11, 2014 Finally heard back from blokey today, apparently he managed to get the spark plug out with out any major drama. Still not got my bike back. Two and a half months he's had it. Quote
Zipster Posted August 11, 2014 Posted August 11, 2014 Sounds like he's buggered it up. It shouldn't be taking him this long. Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 12, 2014 Author Posted August 12, 2014 Sounds like he's buggered it up. It shouldn't be taking him this long. last weekend on the friday he told me it'd 99% be ready on the Sat but if not it would definitely be ready on the monday. Monday came, he put a msg on his FB saying he was ill and wouldn't be in the garage that day for anyone waiting on anything - but never sent me a msg personally. By friday I'd still heard nothing (although I saw on his FB that he'd had someone elses bike in for new tyres since the monday!) so i sent him a msg asking what was happening. He told me "everything is done except MOT" but that the 2 garages he usually uses are closed for 2 weeks (yup...) but he was going to use the one round the corner from me on Monday (yesterday) and drop the bike off to me. Heard nothing all day yesterday, got home - no bike. Sent him a msg and got this backHi gayle sorry won't be ready all I had to do was the chain I went to do before took for mot but the link you got me is wrongNow the chain is split can't go anywhere so I have to find another link or put a new chain and sprocket kit on bikeI had bike booked in for mot so all I had to do was chain thought would do it before mot and just drop bike off after testWill find out tomorrow if an get a link to suit If not need to fit a kit But wait, I thought "everything was done"?!I don't know anyone with a van or trailer so i am contacting other bikey people I know to see if they do and the intention is to get the bike picked up from him and pay him for what he's done, I've had enough. Quote
Joeman Posted August 12, 2014 Posted August 12, 2014 Sounds like the guy needs a good kick up the arse.Shame you're so far away - I'd gladly offer my trailer and go with you to go rescue your bike from this idiot.Oh and I wouldn't pay him a penny. Tell him you didn't get the service you agrees to so there's nothing to pay for. If he wants payment he can take you to small claims court.. Which will never happen as he's too illiterate to fill out the forms. Quote
Zipster Posted August 12, 2014 Posted August 12, 2014 +1 on what Joe said. I'm too far away to help too unfortunately. Do not pay him a penny for service but I would pay him for any parts - cost price only of course and only if evidenced by receipts. I hope you get sorted soon. Quote
fredc Posted August 12, 2014 Posted August 12, 2014 I have a towbar mouted bike tow bracket similar to http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRAILER-TRIKE-MOTORCYCLE-SCOOTER-QUICK-RELEASE-TOWING-FRAME-/301270074980?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item4625188664I'm in glasgow. If its any use to you, PM me Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 16, 2014 Author Posted August 16, 2014 Thanks guys, fredc unfortunately neither of our cars have tow bars!Since the last message I've heard nothing. I'm giving him until Monday and I will be sending him a message to say i want the bike back by the end of the week (so for him to arrange delivery), MOT'd or not. If the chain is split thats no issue as I have a motorbike MOT garage within a few mins walk (push!). I'm very much a fair weather biker, my bike is taxed and insured and otherwise ready to go. I've now missed the best of the season thanks to him. Might also drop CAB a line to see where I stand in terms of being able to force him to get the bike back to me. Quote
Phooey Posted August 18, 2014 Posted August 18, 2014 I can't help but wonder what this lot is going to cost you?I'd be reluctant to pay for everything HE has messed up. This could turn out to be a very expensive service and MOT. Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 18, 2014 Author Posted August 18, 2014 I can't help but wonder what this lot is going to cost you?I'd be reluctant to pay for everything HE has messed up. This could turn out to be a very expensive service and MOT. I already asked him, £170 for the work done so far. I wasn't able to get in touch with CAB today. The last message I got from him was a week ago today saying he'd let me know the next day what was happening Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 18, 2014 Author Posted August 18, 2014 I've sent a message to him saying to arrange have the bike returned to me no later than friday of this week with or without MOT. Quote
eastanglianbiker Posted August 22, 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 how its gone gayle has the vfr made it back home complete with new mot??? Quote
Joeman Posted August 22, 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 I've sent a message to him saying to arrange have the bike returned to me no later than friday of this week with or without MOT. My guess is that it returns with no MOT..Got to say you have more patience than me. I would have gone mental by now... Certainly wouldn't pay him any money. Quote
stumblebum Posted August 22, 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 I've sent a message to him saying to arrange have the bike returned to me no later than friday of this week with or without MOT. My guess is that it returns with no MOT..Got to say you have more patience than me. I would have gone mental by now... Certainly wouldn't pay him any money. I wouldn't pay the prick a single penny. Quote
iiisecondcreep Posted August 22, 2014 Author Posted August 22, 2014 Well I came home today to find my bike parked outside Not actually been and looked at it yet, just can't be bothered right now.But its back (with an MOT), finally Thanks for all your support guys, think I've used up a lifetimes worth of patience on this guy so it defo won't be allowed to happen again (in saying that, I can't imagine getting service that bad anywhere else!!) Quote
Joeman Posted August 22, 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 Glad you got it back, but if someone dumped my bike outside unlocked without telling me it was there I'd be furious!! Not to mention uninsured!! (Too close to home and not in my garage) Quote
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