A question about timing?

[ossienomad]

Hi All,

Just wondering on a 2008 Kawasaki vulcan nomad can the timing be checked via the computor diognostics at the dealer or is it a manual operation? If its a question of aligning timing marks on crank and cam can this be checked with engine in the bike?

[Peg]

Originally Posted by ossienomad

Hi All,

Just wondering on a 2008 Kawasaki vulcan nomad can the timing be checked via the computor diognostics at the dealer or is it a manual operation? If its a question of aligning timing marks on crank and cam can this be checked with engine in the bike?

Here's a little light reading for you thanks to Trip... Electrical System section (sixth down in the chapters list or simply download the whole service manual)... Section 16 Page 51

[MAS Tequila]

If you're talking about valve timing, then the engine has to come out.

There just isn't room to remove the necessary parts from the top end.

MT

[tomm]

If it's valve timing you're asking about, you can check it manually, probably to within a tooth, without removing the engine. There are timing marks under the left side cover, and you can see timing marks on the camshaft gear by removing the spark plug tubes. You can't actually see where the timing marks should align with the top of the head which is why this isn't an exact method, but by aligning one of the marks at the bottom of the gear where you can see, you will be very close. See below.

Don't know about the computer diagnostics but have never seen anything in the manual to suggest this, and I had a very good reason to look.

******************

Although it isn't foolproof, there is a way to determine if the valve timing may have slipped by removing the spark plug tubes. If you do, you can see the very bottom of the camshaft gear. You will need a bright light, and a small mirror is helpful. If you spin the engine by hand (counter-clockwise), you will see the following marks appear at the bottom of the gear: an F or an R (front or rear jug) with a line and a paint mark, an F or an R, and a line. You will also see an F and R appear in the timing window. Spin the engine until the F appears in the timing window. Then look for the F on the exact bottom of the gear for the front jug. Don't confuse the F for the F with the line and paint mark. If you don't see it, spin the engine until the F appears again in the timing window. You should then see the F on the exact bottom of the gear. If you don't see it either time or it is not on the exact bottom, you may have a problem and you would need to pull the engine to verify and repair. It should appear every other spin of the crank. When you see it, the piston should be at TDC exhaust. When you don't, the piston should be at TDC compression. Do the same for the rear cylinder, but look for an R instead of an F.

[ossienomad]

Thanks everyone. According to the manual ignition timing is checked in conventional manner using a strobe light. No mention of diognostic program at dealer but mine has one so I,ll find out. My dealer put an apprentice on the job who was supposed to change thermostat and check timing. He managed to break thermostat housing and removed the cam tensioners with out putting engine on TDC. (He thought thats how you checked timing) Hopefully valves have not rolled over but the kid seems to have no idea about what he was doing. Very dissapointed. It is almost impossible to find a decent motorcycle mechanic these days!