Norge 8V recall

[RJVB]

I just learned of a recall that's been issued for the Norge 8V. A small number is supposedly affected by a possible problem of what Piaggio translated into French as a "flasque moteur". I understand it must be one of the engine walls.

A friend's new N8V was apparently affected, and lost all engine oil after only 350km (his previous N2V had the engine rebuilt after an oil pump failure...). He's waiting for a new engine to be installed.

Recall info:

[GT-Rx]

Thanks René, I'll sticky this topic.

[pauldaytona]

well nothing on the service moto guzzi website

[pete roper]

Yes, a couple of welch plugs have fallen out! God's teeth. It's the end of the world!!!

Look, the factory has acted quickly to deal with ANY machines that may be affected. Can we not have this turned in to another huge, paranoid rant about how the bikes are awful and nobody in their right mind would buy one.

Jesus wept! Compared to some of the other recalls other manufacturers have this is a thorough and diligent response. No doubt it won't be good enough though.

http://www.servicemotoguzzi.com/public/ ... 5-2011.pdf

[RJVB]

Erm, Pete?

Who's shrieking?

I just posted a note about something serious enough to get MG to issue a recall without fussing about it for months. Over here no one is wailing about it, many who got the letter wonder whether it's serious at all. If it weren't for the one mate of mine who actually test-rode the issue and lubrificated the local beltway with almost 5 liters of fresh 10W60, we'd probably waving it off as something that could wait until the next 10k service...

So, according to you, MG overreacted for once, also in issueing a new engine to said mate?

[pete roper]

No Rene. I'm just trying to short circuit the usual hysterical response that occurs as soon as there is ANY reported fault, real or imagined, with any new Guzzi model.

I just learned of a recall that's been issued for the Norge 8V. A small number is supposedly affected by a possible problem of what Piaggio translated into French as a "flasque moteur". I understand it must be one of the engine walls.

Sorry. That to me seems to be guesswork and rumor-mongering. How about asking if anybody with an inside line if they have seen any information regarding a recall on the Norge 8V, (And it applies to more than just Norges.) rather than just posting up a wild guess about 'One of the engine walls'. That would imply crankcase and a casting failure WOULD be a BIG concern. But it ISN'T a casting failure it is a couple of welch plugs that block holes machined into the sump spacer that HAVE to be there to allow access for tooling to drill galleries in the spacer internals.

So, Why have the plugs dropped out? Most likely because the slot drill used to machine the holes was installed incorrectly in the mill head or possibly it, (The tool.) was made inaccurately leading to a run-out issue of a couple of thou. This wouldn't seem be a problem when installing the plugs but heating the alloy of the spacer might, in some cases, cause the plug to shift or drop out as occured with your mates bike. and yes, it must of been very scary and obviously needs to be addressed for a host of reasons and that is EXACTLY what has been done. All that the 'Recall' involves is punching in the plugs so that the bore of the hole grips them tighter so they won't fall out. It's not an 'Engineering Defect' it is a simple machining error but that won't stop people screaming blue-bloody murder and promulgating inaccurate bullshit as fact.


Sorry, it's not the fact that the problem is being bought to people's attention that worries me. It's the wild guessing and the promoting of disastrous 'Worst Case Scenarios' as being inevitable that gives me the shits. I'm not saying that that was your intention, the problem is that there will be people who will start all sorts of ever-escalating rumours and theories that will, in a weeks time, see it being stated as fact that all 8V Norges blow out the side of their crankcases for no reason at all!

All I ask is that anyone wanting to start a rumour like this find out the FACTS first. Ask me! Or some other 'Known Source'. I have access to the latest factory info. If I or others can neither confirm or deny a problem? By all means go ahead and ask around publicly but lets try and stick to FACTS rather than rumour eh?

Pete

[RJVB]

There are people with inside information in the community where I learned of this, as there are people who know enough about engineering and combustion engine to teach the stuff at uni. The recall information just seemed important enough to get out ASAP and while I was waiting for more detailed information, I translated what the relevant bits from the recall letter as well as I could. I probably don't have to tell you that flasque = flask, and that there was some need for educated guessing what was meant with an engine flask!

So, yes, it appears there's no fundamental problem - as long as the engine gets checked when it's in the recall range. While owners here in France get a registered letter which requires acknowledgement of receipt, I don't know if recalls are handled the same in other countries.

We're on a forum supposed to be catering to enthusiasts. There may be some who are more inclined to wail then others, but I trust that if they were a real concern, Todd wouldn't have stickyfied this topic.

[RJVB]

Letter inserted at the top post, or linked here; http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?i ... can042.jpg

(Edited - Todd)

[Brian UK]

Either way, it's clearly something that almost any cag-handed home mechanic could sort for himself, if he had the mind to.

[pete roper]

There are people with inside information in the community where I learned of this, as there are people who know enough about engineering and combustion engine to teach the stuff at uni. The recall information just seemed important enough to get out ASAP and while I was waiting for more detailed information, I translated what the relevant bits from the recall letter as well as I could. I probably don't have to tell you that flasque = flask, and that there was some need for educated guessing what was meant with an engine flask!.

We're not gping to play the "My Expert has a shinier white coat and a higher, more polished, domed forehead than your Expert!" game are we . And no, you don't have to tell me that 'Flasque' is obviously going to mean a container of some sort which would seemingly indicate the crankcase. That is EXACTLY why in a case like this it is important to get ALL the facts, rather than just wht you may see as relevant from a letter you've picked up second hand. The information given in the recall letter is going to be fairly non-specific. All it is doing is telling the owner that there *might* be a problem with his/her machine and that the company wants to rectify it as soon as possible. It does NOT assume, quite rightly, that the owner has any technical skill or understanding at all. To do so would be madness as it would be open slather for any customer to start doing anything *they* felt like doing to their bike and then when it screws up expecting the factory to fix it under 'Warranty'. Oh yes! I forgot! There are HOSTS of people out there who do exactly that!

I'll see if I can get a list of affected engines and post it up. I dunno if I can but I'll try. Then I'm done with this.

Pete