Metal piece in water

[shaunyb63]

hi, first post so hear goes, just drained the coolant from my 250lc which looked fine ,but on closer inspection I found a tiny piece of metal in the coolant, it’s only small and almost looks like a piece of piston ring, though it might not be,could this be possible?The engine sounds ok when running but having only just acquired the bike i haven’t had it on the road yet so don’t know how the engine performs under load but at tick over and when revving from standstill it sounds just fine.The engine has had a rebore at some time with only about 50 miles on the clock since so just wondered if it was a stray piece from that.Think it might be best to whip the top end off just to make sure.Any ideas?

[kostas]

There is no way that a piece from the piston ring can find its way inside the water jacket.
My best bet is that this is stray piece as you suggested or the water pump (maybe you have an ally impeller fitted)

If it running ok I would not touch, open it and you may be opening a can of worms..

Welcome aboard!

[earthman]

I agree with Kostas, I can't see how it could be a bit of a piston ring,....have you got a good picture of it??

[LC_BOTT]

my original thought was something from the rad, but that would only be aluminium.

[earthman]

Jan 25, 2018 21:11:33 GMT 1 LC_BOTT said:

my original thought was something from the rad, but that would only be aluminium.

That's a good point,......running a magnet past this 'metal' piece would help rule that out. 

[shaunyb63]

Many thanks for the reply’s lads, I think I will check the water pump to see if all ok,I will try a magnet as suggested to see if it’s a piece of alloy,as you say it may have an alloy impeller in Whitch a piece may have broken off.I will try to post a photo of the offending item if I can, I think it may be a good idea to flush the system out while I’m at it, that’s a job for the weekend I think.

[arrow]

Welcome to the forum.

[dbgr]

Yea welcome, and I hope its not too serious.

[shaunyb63]

Thanks to all for the welcome, just to update,tried the magnet and it’s definitely alloy so can rule out the piston ring theory and all ok with water pump so hopefully nothing to worry about, HOPEFULLY!!

[robin]

Its will always be this way with 30+ year old bikes, worrying and every cough and splutter, whatever happened to just putting your leg over the bike and giving it a dam good thrashing?

[earthman]

Jan 27, 2018 13:13:14 GMT 1 robin said:

Its will always be this way with 30+ year old bikes, worrying and every cough and splutter, whatever happened to just putting your leg over the bike and giving it a dam good thrashing?

What with some parts being rare and the ones that still are can be very costly, that approach may not be the best to take anyhow.

[reedpete]

Jan 25, 2018 17:52:37 GMT 1 shaunyb63 said:

hi, first post so hear goes, just drained the coolant from my 250lc which looked fine ,but on closer inspection I found a tiny piece of metal in the coolant, it’s only small and almost looks like a piece of piston ring, though it might not be,could this be possible?The engine sounds ok when running but having only just acquired the bike i haven’t had it on the road yet so don’t know how the engine performs under load but at tick over and when revving from standstill it sounds just fine.The engine has had a rebore at some time with only about 50 miles on the clock since so just wondered if it was a stray piece from that.Think it might be best to whip the top end off just to make sure.Any ideas?

Welcome, you have found a good community to share the collective LC knowledge and spirit. I don’t want to sound rude or condescending but you seriously need to get to know how your LC works if you are going to be the custodian of such a iconic historic vehicle. If yours has survived to this point, the least you owe it is to look after it. Doesn’t mean you need to treat with kid gloves, just means if you want to ride it like it was designed for you need to ensure it’s well being.
The only way ring could get into the water circuit is if the engine exploded...it clearly hasn’t.

take a look at the impeller and water pump housing as see if you can see any sign of wear. If not then don’t loose sleep, the previous owner could have done anything. Flush the system and get going again.

[Tobyjugs]

Welcome to the forum and i think reedpete summed up my thoughts very well on the subject.

[ypvs400]

Possible that its had the head or cylinders skimmed at some point and not been thoroughly clean out aftewards.

[mattybeckett]

I shouldn't worry about that. If it's not broke don't try and fix it Contamination particles could of been in containers when filled in the past.

[rigga]

As a left field thought, I wonder if the alloy tube at the rear of the water pump into the clutch casing is breaking up, others have found them to be corroded through when checked, not many sources of alloy in the cooling system.

[midlifecrisisrd]

Jan 27, 2018 21:21:03 GMT 1 rigga said:

As a left field thought, I wonder if the alloy tube at the rear of the water pump into the clutch casing is breaking up, others have found them to be corroded through when checked, not many sources of alloy in the cooling system.

Boom!

That's where my money would be

Never thought of it till you mentioned it

I've seen them crumbling at the edge before

Steve

[rigga]

Recent issue with mine leaking made me think of it Steve.

[wallcraft]

Yep I'd put my money on that theory as well. Looks like you just need to drain the coolant out remove the water pump cover and have a look in there then flush out the system and re-fill 50/50 mix with anti-freeze, job done, enjoy.

Mark.

[headcoats]

A pic would be good

Maybe internal part from the radiator core

[rigga]

Jan 27, 2018 22:24:25 GMT 1 wallcraft said:

Yep I'd put my money on that theory as well. Looks like you just need to drain the coolant out remove the water pump cover and have a look in there then flush out the system and re-fill 50/50 mix with anti-freeze, job done, enjoy.

Mark.

The clutch side cover will need to come off, and remove the coolant hose from the rear of the head to the side of the case, then the pipe can be removed to inspect.

[shaunyb63]

I have removed the clutch cover and every thing is fine, Cheched the alloy tube as Rigga suggested and all ok, I’ve flushed the system out and found nothing ,so can only assume everything is ok.As reedpete quite clearly states I do need to get to know this motorcycle and understand how it works which is what I am doing,all I’m asking for is Sound advice as I do it.cheers all.

[rigga]

Just ask away, you will get help on this forum.

[Tobyjugs]

I have learn't a lot about these engines from this forum. Just ask away or read the forum.

[markhoopy]

Posting a pic of the piece you found would soon solve the puzzle

[reedpete]

Jan 27, 2018 23:58:27 GMT 1 shaunyb63 said:

I have removed the clutch cover and every thing is fine, Cheched the alloy tube as Rigga suggested and all ok, I’ve flushed the system out and found nothing ,so can only assume everything is ok.As reedpete quite clearly states I do need to get to know this motorcycle and understand how it works which is what I am doing,all I’m asking for is Sound advice as I do it.cheers all.

We were all in your shoes once,  so you’re defo not alone and there is an abundance of sound advice with mutual moderation when the occasional factual inaccuracy surfaces.

To this day I remember the first time 35 years ago I pulled a RD engine apart. Had that feeling of guts in the mouth as I wondered if I had made a huge mistake and with irreversible consequences. As is often the case the fear of the unknown is much more terrifying than the unknown itself.
As it was I had a helping (old) hand who told me not to worry as it was a doddle. Just like riding a bicycle, seems an impossible task before and then you look back wondering what all the fuss was about.

Agree that pics do say a thousand words.

[earthman]

Jan 28, 2018 11:42:59 GMT 1 reedpete said:

Jan 27, 2018 23:58:27 GMT 1 shaunyb63 said:

I have removed the clutch cover and every thing is fine, Cheched the alloy tube as Rigga suggested and all ok, I’ve flushed the system out and found nothing ,so can only assume everything is ok.As reedpete quite clearly states I do need to get to know this motorcycle and understand how it works which is what I am doing,all I’m asking for is Sound advice as I do it.cheers all.

We were all in your shoes once,  so you’re defo not alone and there is an abundance of sound advice with mutual moderation when the occasional factual inaccuracy surfaces.

To this day I remember the first time 35 years ago I pulled a RD engine apart. Had that feeling of guts in the mouth as I wondered if I had made a huge mistake and with irreversible consequences. As is often the case the fear of the unknown is much more terrifying than the unknown itself.
As it was I had a helping (old) hand who told me not to worry as it was a doddle. Just like riding a bicycle, seems an impossible task before and then you look back wondering what all the fuss was about.

Agree that pics do say a thousand words.

Very wise words there, that can apply to many aspects of our lives really.

[dbgr]

I remember the first part engine stripdown I did many many moons ago, it was a Triumph Tiger cub " scrambler " and it had gearbox problems!! it had even more whe n Id finished with it, HaHaHa