Last thursday the 400 started to get really noisey in the top end on the way to work, very clattery. WhenI went to go home it would not start up, only the starter motor turning over. RAC took to dealers and the diagnoses is the top end is toast. Cam, valves and pretty much everything else will need replacing. Good news is it will be a warranty job as the bike is only 15 months old and about 1500 miles. Best guess is the cam chain tensioner failed and the chain jumped a tooth. Any one else hear about similar issues?
Yep, I read a few reports of engine troubles (have a look on the Triumph400 forum, I was/still am a member) - cam chain tensioner can "fail" and chain can wear the casings. Check oil filters for swarf. Also some which needed valve clearances adjusted. Frustratingly, some bikes are fine, it's a slight lottery..... My engine was a bit metallic sounding at times (3000 miles) - I had a slight bump and sold it through the insurance claims agent as I decided I didn't want it back. I was a bit disappointed with the Triumph for a few niggly faults and noises, and went back to Honda. I lost quite a few £££.
I’ve had a few build/component quality related problems on new bikes in the past, all rectified under warranty fortunately. New cams and followers on a 1986 GPZ1000, new tappets on a ‘88 ZX10, new front discs on a ‘91 FZR1000 and even a complete new cylinder head on a ‘98 R1 due to a flaw in the casting. New headlight relay on a 2004 R1 after the bloody thing failed in total darkness on the Chapel bypass coming home from the NW200! NOT FUNNY! The most recent was a replacement fuel pump on my 2010 FE570 at 6 months old. Modern machines are not immune from quality issues. Technology moves on of course but new manufacturing techniques have probably done more to increase output by speeding up production lines rather than guaranteeing 100% reliability. No manufacturer is immune. Individual component quality is the biggest culprit IMO rather than any actual build issues.
The mechanic I spoke to on the phone was going through the list of parts that would be required but all I wanted to know initially was is it covered under warranty (which it is). How do I feel about future ownership of the bike? When I get the full report back and chat to the guys at the shop we'll see. One thing that was mentioned was that some of the replacement parts are different implying that Triumph have already seen the need to beef things up on this model.
When my R1 required a new cylinder head it came already assembled with the valve gear from the factory rather than the dealer having to replace/reseat the valves and fit the springs and retainers etc. If the head and/or valve gear are damaged on your bike I suspect that’s what may happen in your case.
