Hey guys, I have a major problem. I have a 2012 super tenere (also have a 2019 and had a 2018 before that) that's at a dealer in Phoenix having the engine rebuilt because of extreme carbon and some kind of dirt ingestion (according to the dealer). My question is, how the hell does this happen? I'm a daily rider. I was an automotive mechanic before I became an airline pilot, and I do all of my own maintenance. I change the oil quarterly and run premium gas. Most of my riding is highway, 80-90mph, I like to accelerate. Any ideas, pictures attached.
Did the engine just one day stop working and you took it to a shop ? How was it running right before it 'wasn't' ? How many miles on this engine? Miles don't necessarily mean much with this bike. It's just info for my own brain.
Is your motor 'stock' ? Ive seen pistons that look like this before. For a Tenere and especially the 12-13 models this (to me) look like an average motor. For my own reference I always go back for comparison on a buddies bike that now has about 130K on it (2012). The intake valves are 100% totally spotless, and from what I can see with a borescope, the pistons look very clean but not 100% carbon free. He uses Sea-Foam 99% of the time at each fill up. It's the only bike that I have worked on that the internals are this "clean"... (he also revs the bike up, accelerates, and runs at 80+, (for reference ) (Like the poster said)
I only mention Sea-Foam for posable future use. Just to help carbon no matter how it might be produced.
How often do you need to add oil on your 2012? This might be an oil burning "carbon" issue and not entirely a fueling issue. The 12-13 burn more oil than the 14++
As far as the scratch in the cylinder, that is strange. Im assuming the air box is all installed properly. Im leaning more towards, dry cylinder, possible over heat, lean fuel, or something along those lines other than dirt. To me this does NOT look like "dirt wear" to me.
The exhaust port picture looks normal. They have the head off, pull those valved and look them over / clean / re lap those suckers. How do the valves actually look ? Clean or crusty ? (tops side of the valves)
If you are having new pistons and rings installed, I believe you can throw in the 2014++ pistons/rings. I believe both of those changed in 2014 along with ring gap specs. I would do a little homework and see if the part numbers supersede the old ones. This will help part of the 2012-2013 oil burn. I believe the other oil entrance is guides. They have the head off, look at those guides as well.
Im quite certain these cylinders are Nikasil coated. Im sure you know all about it.. Probably have to replace those jugs if you want it 100%. Of course we are only looking at a few photos. Do the cylinder really look like this with the dark and light colors across it? Is this accurate photo or just some type of shadow? Just asking because if its not shadowing, I wonder if this is some type of /heat/ coloration ? Not sure if the shop as an inside mirometer to double check that. Similar to this:
If I was looking this over, I would also drop the pan, eye-ball it all out and check the pick up screen as well.... Just to cross the T and dot the I. (Ive done this a few times with peoples bikes on my own time, I wanted to just 'double check'... I have found a few surprises in there that were not the good kind........... )
*****.***** When was the last valve check ? Did a shop perform this task ? This is probably a LONG shot, did they check the valve clearance before tearing it all down ? I recently helped someone on the internet that had issues like yourself. Similar carbon, and mechanical problems. His exhaust valves were super tight and actually damaged the seat. Messed up the guide, more oil, more carbon, Etc... Etc...... Im just thinking out loud because I just looked at some similar photos with this other guys bike... NOT suggesting this is your issue but once that head is all cleaned up and valves pulled, eye ball the seats for any cracks. Just another thought.
BTW- could you post or PM the oil you have been running... I don't want the "internet" to get off on an 'oil-conversation '... LOL
