Inlet manifold leak ?

Got a tech tip for Voyager 1300's from your personal experiences, or one complete with pictures and instructions, here's where to post it. You can also ask about tips or procedures here.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
RJ9993
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:17 am
9
Current bike(s): 13 Triumph Rocket Touring
07 Harley XL50 Sportster
06 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
04 Triumph Thunderbird sport
96 Honda CBR1000F
95 Honda CBR1000F
84 Harley XR1000
83 Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager
74 Honda XL100
73 Yamaha GT80
72 Honda SL100
71 Yamaha DT250
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Inlet manifold leak ?

Post by RJ9993 »

Hello fellow 1300 enthusiasts. I purchased a low millage 1983 Voyager imported from Japan 12 months ago. This bike has the US VIN # so I'm guessing it was a personal import to Japan. I have the same over heating problems as everyone else which I'm working on now. The radiator will be flushed, new thermo installed & a stainless nut put on the end of the shaft to stop the bypass valve closing completely. Unfortunately the bike did over heat on a recent ride. I switched the engine off & allowed the bike to cool before starting it back up. There was a noise that sounded like an air leak or the inlet manifold sucking air. This noise increased with revs. I checked the clamps on the engine side of the manifold & found the right one was loose with fuel resin around the clamp. Tensioning this up did not stop the noise. The next day I discovered there was no noise on a cold start. Once the engine warms up to operating temp, it comes on & increases with revs in neutral. It is not as noticeable once I'm riding. I haven't pulled the plugs to check for signs of a lean burn. Anyone have any ideas. Thanks. RJ
User avatar
trikebldr
Elite Tourer
Elite Tourer
Posts: 749
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:34 pm
10
Current bike(s): '82 Kawasaki KZ750 Spectre
'82 Kawasaki KZ1100D Spectre
'84 Kawasaki Voyager 1300 with
'79 Vetter Terraplane sidecar
'85 Kawasaki Voyager 1300
2001 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII
Location: Independence, MO.
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Inlet manifold leak ?

Post by trikebldr »

No, you're not being ignored! It's just sounds like a strange issue!
Although I have two of these 1300's, and had a brand new '83 decades ago, I have never heard of such sounds. Mine have always run quite well. Too bad we can't post sound tracks on here so we could hear those sounds you describe. What's puzzling is that it comes when the engine is warmed up! Anything on the intake side shouldn't react that way. Have you checked the air bypass covers and system on the top of the engine yet. They would make the sound you describe as well as be affected by engine temp. Gotta pull the gas tank off to check them. Might look around each exhaust pipe right at the head for any signs of leakage, too.
Buying any used bike means taking a chance on how the PO's have ridden it and cared for it. Since it has a U.S. serial number on it, probably owned by a military person who shipped it over there while he was in Japan, then decided he didn't want it bad enough anymore to ship it back.
Would love to work on yours with you if you lived closer! Sounds like an interesting problem.
User avatar
Me Again
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1789
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:27 am
16
Current bike(s): 1988 1300 Voyager
Location: Wisconsin
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 262 times

Re: Inlet manifold leak ?

Post by Me Again »

While you had it apart did you check the circlip on the water pump ? Although I think the sound would be a little different it is one of the main causes of overheating .
User avatar
trikebldr
Elite Tourer
Elite Tourer
Posts: 749
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:34 pm
10
Current bike(s): '82 Kawasaki KZ750 Spectre
'82 Kawasaki KZ1100D Spectre
'84 Kawasaki Voyager 1300 with
'79 Vetter Terraplane sidecar
'85 Kawasaki Voyager 1300
2001 Kawasaki ZG1200 Voyager XII
Location: Independence, MO.
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Inlet manifold leak ?

Post by trikebldr »

RJ, one of the best ways to locate the exact source of a noise is to use a 24"-36" length of 1/4 fuel hose stuck in your ear, then move it around to find the noise. It WILL show up very loud when you get close!
RJ9993
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:17 am
9
Current bike(s): 13 Triumph Rocket Touring
07 Harley XL50 Sportster
06 Moto Guzzi California Vintage
04 Triumph Thunderbird sport
96 Honda CBR1000F
95 Honda CBR1000F
84 Harley XR1000
83 Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager
74 Honda XL100
73 Yamaha GT80
72 Honda SL100
71 Yamaha DT250
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Inlet manifold leak ?

Post by RJ9993 »

Thanks everyone for the feed back. She's still up on the work bench. I've decided to ceramic coat the headers & have the mufflers opened up. Once she's back together, I'll check for that noise with the tank removed. Cheers RJ :)
Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips - Voyager 1300 Six”