Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum banner

Did I blow a valve? (VIDEO)

2K views 27 replies 19 participants last post by  Sethboy716 
#1 ·
(We're dealing with an 06 ZX636 with 7400miles)

Did I blow a valve? - YouTube

A couple rides prior to this, I noticed a slight decrease in power, and the exhaust sounded choppy at low rpms. So I checked my exhaust system for any leaks, and under the airbox for possible loose/broke hose connections. Unfortunately, I found nothing and eventually found out on the highway.

While racing down the highway, there was a huge loss in power, and she wouldn't go any higher than about 114. I came to a halt, and heard this nasty sound and decided to ride it to the nearest powersports so I could use the ramp to load it up on a truck. I road it for about 5 miles under 5k rpms

I can't tell where the noise is coming from but I'd like to say it's coming from the top.

What am I dealing with here?
A blown valve possibly?
Should I open it up from the top?
Do I need to replace the top of the motor?
If so, will I have to learn how to do timing/valve adj./etc?

Your help is greatly appreciated.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
Hard to say from a video. But, I gota' ask, you rode if 5 miles like that? You didn't think it might do less damage if you shut it off right then and there?

In any case, your going to have to disassemble the engine. Both to diagnose it and to fix it. If you think it's a valve, taking of the valve cover is easy and gives you a good view of the valve train. You can do it in the bike.

If it did drop a valve, your going to have to take the entire engine apart. You destroyed a piston for sure. And having run it for 5 miles you can kiss the cylinder liner goodbye too. So, if that's the case, your going to be better off throwing that one out and finding a sound used engine.

Could be a bearing also. But running it for 5 miles with a bad bearing will most likely have destroyed the crankshaft too, so again, you will probably be better off throwing it away.

Good luck and start taking it apart.
 
#23 ·
yep
 
#5 ·
Yeah, maybe a spun bearing...expensive.
When was the last oil change?
Did the scratches on the clutch cover happen recently? (possible secondary damage)
I didn't see a coolant overflow container. Is/was the coolant level okay?
Just for peace of mind; the radiator fan is not hitting any obstructions?


...and I had no other choice but to drive it there for the ramp.
For future reference, just stop (safely), no matter what. Not to sound like a prick...but...if you saw $100 on the road you would stop, this will cost more than $100 in repairs.

Good luck matey.
 
#4 ·
kinda sounds like a spun out bearing to me but never had one on a bike only a small block chevy... that might work out better than dropping a valve though but definitely no more running it. usually a con rod bearing sound will get progressively worse and "harder" sounding as more wiggle room is developed around the crank. good luck with this.
 
#7 ·
drain oil and check for shavings. if you find any gold metallic you prob spun a bearing. But it sounds like a valve to me. either way it dont even matter because whatever it is its internal and needs a tear down to check.
But a quick compression test will tell you if you bent a valve
 
#9 ·
BAsed on the video, it is solid metal to metal contact. That is never a good sign; the only way to know for sure is to pull out the engine and take it apart, but draining the oil and seeing what is in it can send you in the right direction. But it is going to have to come out and apart to fully diagnose and repair anyways (or if cost prohibitive-replace)
 
#10 ·
That motor is toast! Join the AMA, they have free towing!

You may want to start writing that Craig's list post.....

Great fast zx-6r, not for new riders. Has slight valve tap, needs small adjustment. Test ride with money in hand. Been down once, never abused. This bike is so fast, you will need to buy it before I will let u ride it! No refunds!
 
#12 ·
Man that sounds awful!!! I would be in tears....hope it gets resolved for ya...
 
#13 ·
So I finally got to work on her today.

Started a compression test on the first one, and found air shooring towards me from the second hole in the throttle bodies. I looked down and theres about a half inch gap from where the little air/fuel regulators or w/e those little dual piston looking things are and where they are supposed to close.

Obviously that's not right.
Could that also be what was making that sound??
 
#14 ·
Are you saying the intake valves are missing (or atleast the heads of them?)
 
#22 ·
huh?---they open and close as you rotate the engine over so of course some should be open while others closed

later post you say no compression on #2


Again, pull the engine, you are going to have to no matter what to fix it or replace it, so save yourself time and just get it out. It is lots easier to work on when it is on the bench
 
#16 ·
That sounds a lots worse then just a throttle body off the intake. Pull the plugs first maybe you ate a spark plug from running it wide open lean as fuck. But in reality the it sounds like it ate a valve or spun a bearing. Sucks for only having 7k miles.

You really need to pull the valve cover then take the cams off and check your valves. It's really easy to do and it'll let you know what the problem is. Either way it sounds fucked. Buy a good used motor put it in and learn how to tear down and fix a motor without missing the season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Harl3y
#24 ·
Engine is gone. You dropped a valve. Buy another one
 
#28 ·
I would maybe pull the crank cover on the right side and spin the motor by hand make sure it's not binding , it doesn't seem that iit is tho because the starter turns it over ok but you'll be able to hear or maybe feel contact between the valve/piston . If that's ok pull the air box off and the valve cover and do a visual of the cam chain on top and down the side where the tensioner is, do a visual of the valves by opening the throttle where u can see the intake valves watch them as someone turns the motor over , compare them and you can see differences if something fell in etc. u can pull the exhaust and see those valves doing the same thing as well. Check the valve clearance while the v/c is off just real quick. The camshafts have no bearings on em so thats not it, but I'd be more willing to bet its a spun crank bearing . If everything I just said turns out ok pull the oil Pan. Now your gonna pull all the connecting rod caps, (after marking them for cyl# and orientation) do a visual on the bearings they should be all clean and smooth you'll also notice if it's a spun rod bearing that when you pull the cap off the bearing may not come out cuz its no longer lined up properly. If that's not it pull the crankshaft mains off one at a time and inspect the crank bearings for the same thing. If it turns out you have a spun lower end bearing then you will need a new motor ..... Tale your time checking the top end before pulling the lower end apart cuz it's way easier to repair to end than bottom. Might also be quicker to just pull the whole fuckin motor out and do it on a bench, also a quick compression test isn't a bad idea as your getting started too . Will eliminate a lot of top end diagnostics .....
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top