EC300, 2009 engine mounts

[Mikeyx]

Nut from the top mount (in front of the spark plug) was missing.

Another mount underneath the engine (below the magneto/ oil level window) was "not tight".

Are there more engine mounts?

 

[Davehuge]

Seems a strange question...

I'm sure you can see all the engine mounts?

 

[(F5)]

Maybe it's dark.

 

[(F5)]

Ohh ohh, or it's up to its chamber in a bog. Done that before.

 

[Mikeyx]

Why do you even bother writing such crap?

Get a room...

 

[Davehuge]

He was only having a bit of fun...don't take it personally.

There's a total of 4 engine mounts.

Starting at the mount on the cylinder head....

1. Cylinder head
2. Just under exhaust port
3. Underneath middle of engine
4. Swinging arm pivot bolt

Hope this helps, Dave.

 

[Mikeyx]

Thanks, man. I?ll take a look.

 

[Davehuge]

Might be worth checking that the rear mounting point is gripping the engine correctly.

The swinging arm bolt goes through the frame, the swinging arm, the rear suspension linkage and the engine.

I remember a while ago someone having a problem with this mount and it wasn't gripping the engine securely, allowing it to move. I guess this could cause other mounting points to loosen.

All the best, Dave.

 

[Mikeyx]

Actually, while riding yesterday, I noticed an abnormal mechanical noise from the engine.

Having ridden a few laps, I stopped to take a sip of juice, and saw the engine shake left to right. Then found that the nut was missing.

Today I tightened also the bolt underneath the exhaust (despite your instructions, I had a hard time to locate it, since it is covered by coolant hoses). Will check the swing bolt - had too high a fever to go to the circuit today, and have replaced the bearings last summer.

This is my very first dirtbike and obviously I need to pay a closer attention to the nuts & bolts...

 

[(F5)]

Yes I was taking the piss. You can take offence, or take it as the manner it was intended.

However I will suggest to you that you look at your swingarm bolt. It goes in from the right side I think, or maybe it is the left, but the important thing is that the frame has a protruding blob of weld that has to align with the flat on the head of the bolt.

If it is misaligned or the bolt put in from the wrong side it won't clamp up properly even with the nut tight.

 

[Mikeyx]

Thanks for your help.

Now all mounting points as well as rear subframe fittings have been tightened. There was only one point which was not more or less loose.

 

[jprizz]

I also suggest you check to see if the upper engine mounts are cracked. (The ones at the top of the cylinder) I had one cracked in half and my engine made quite the racket and vibrated a lot with it broke.

 

[Mikeyx]

Well, well, well... Mechanical noise came back, and I found that two mount nuts were loose again.

I suppose that I need to secure the nuts w/ a threadlock fluid?
Will a medium strength be sufficient? Any other pointers?

 

[risk74]

As said above, check the head steady bolts and tie bars. I've cracked/worn out several of these as well. Also, if the aluminum mounting plates that swing out when the swingarm bolt is removed are worn out, no amount of tightening is going to solve this problem. I have had to replace a few of these over the years and also had to put shims in when the engine cases got wear at the bosses as well.

Once that lump starts vibrating and moving around in the frame like that, things wear out quick. One hour into a three hour enduro several years ago, my engine started vibrating and making a racket, figured crank was going and keep racing. By the end of the race I had worn a hole through the cases from the movement, trans oil leaking everywhere. Now I routinely check all related engine mount/suspension bolts. Saves a lot of headache later.