Vaquero intake leaks

[Toga]

Thanks Ray to you and everyone else on the forum, this is what I sent back to the tech”
"Thanks for the update. I wanted to let you know that the o-rings are not going to fix the issue alone. Several dealerships have made the same attempts and the problem reoccurs within 50 miles or less and with a vengeance.
It appears that after the issues begin there is some warping which occurs between the parts creating a larger gap between the o-rings and the parts. I really don’t want to go through this again, and i am sure you don't want to either. There are two solutions:
1. explained in the document of the earlier email - and
2. a gasket made by an outside company found here: http://www.thundermfg.com/store/inde...t_detail&p=472 - at $6.49 this is the most economical and the simplest.”

Ray - the first document was a screen capture of your fix of machining the parts and creating a flat surface to join the parts together properly. I am thinking they will understand and not waste everyone’s time.

[Toga]

Okay, this looks familiar. Kawasaki is only willing to change the o-rings - I guess my adventure has just begun. The next step is to return it when it acts up again then…

[Toga]

Finally got the Smurf back yesterday.
The backfiring has stopped and about 40% of the decel popping has stopped. The ride into work showed 47mpg on the screen and the fuel gauge didn't have a perceptible movement, which is the icing on the cake.

Now I get to remove the Fi2000R and install the new Powercommander V 17-033. If anyone has a good map for the 1700 with Vance & Hines twin-slash round and a K&N filter let me know how I can get it.

[Toga]

Got the PC installed and now I have no decel pop; my MPG is back to 44; there is a deeper throaty sound to the exhaust now and vibration is actually down. Before I took it in my mpg was around 14.
WOW! I am shocked that Kawasaki is not taking "FULL" responsibility for these issues. Especially since a gasket and some re-mapping of the CPU would fix it.
This is my last Kawasaki - I'm going back to Honda.

BTW - anyone want to buy a Cobra fi2000r?

[aldridgekennedy]

Has anyone had a chance to closely examine a 2013 vaquero to see if Kawi has taken any steps to address the leaks other than just o rings?

I have a 2011 model and have not had any issues like this.

[Toga]

Originally Posted by aldridgekennedy

Has anyone had a chance to closely examine a 2013 vaquero to see if Kawi has taken any steps to address the leaks other than just o rings?

I have a 2011 model and have not had any issues like this.

If its any help, mine is a 2012 and it was leaking. I am in the last stages of the issue.

[aldridgekennedy]

Yep.....based on the blue I knew yours to be a 12 model. Curious to see if they did anything to the 13s and 14s to address it.

[RACNRAY]

According to the parts diagram for the 2013 there seems to be no difference in the components used in the intake system on the 1700's.

What I have found is that NOT ALL 1700's will have vacuum leaks, but due to the design flaws in how the seal is made between the throttle body and intake manifold, and even just as important between the imtake manifold and cylinder heads, most will develope vacuum leaks of some percentage during there lifetime.

It took about 5 months and 10,000 miles or so for my skoot to start suffering the affects of vacuum leaks. The leaks at the manifold/cylinder heads was worse than between the t/b and manifold.

The height of the posts on the t/b affects the amount of compression on the o-rings, if the posts are too high the o-rings will have insufficient compression. They may have enuff at first but as all o-rings flatten out over time, there will be a lessening of the seal the o-rings are supposed to provide.

Add into this any warpage on the mating surface on the manifold which will not allow proper sealing. The method used to attach and seal the manifold to the heads is what I call a "floating" design and relies on a friction fit of the o-ring to the manifold and again that o-ring is being compressed onto the mating surface of the head.

RACNRAY

[Toga]

Originally Posted by aldridgekennedy

Yep.....based on the blue I knew yours to be a 12 model. Curious to see if they did anything to the 13s and 14s to address it.

Good question to ask them.

[shortfuse223]

I have about 1800 miles on my Vaquero now. I broke it in per the manual and have only got on it hard a few times since the break in was completed. I must say that I am underwhelmed by the power. The Suzuki C50 I had before this bike had better acceleration. Don't get me wrong. I love this bike but it definately needs a few things to bring out the potential of this engine. I have not checked but from reading this thread I believe my bike may be a victim of the leaks between the TB and intake and the intake and intake ports. Ordered the Thunder Mfg. gasket yesterday. My plans over the winter are to install the new gasket, put some sealant where the intake mates to the heads, drop in a K&N Filter, install a Cobra Power Pro, and get a set of modded Kury ISO grips from Ray. This season isn't over yet but I am really looking forward to next year when these things are done.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by shortfuse223

I have about 1800 miles on my Vaquero now. I broke it in per the manual and have only got on it hard a few times since the break in was completed. I must say that I am underwhelmed by the power. The Suzuki C50 I had before this bike had better acceleration. Don't get me wrong. I love this bike but it definately needs a few things to bring out the potential of this engine. I have not checked but from reading this thread I believe my bike may be a victim of the leaks between the TB and intake and the intake and intake ports. Ordered the Thunder Mfg. gasket yesterday. My plans over the winter are to install the new gasket, put some sealant where the intake mates to the heads, drop in a K&N Filter, install a Cobra Power Pro, and get a set of modded Kury ISO grips from Ray. This season isn't over yet but I am really looking forward to next year when these things are done.

Those mods will certainly help. The Kawi 1700 is a mildly tuned engine. I believe Kawi focused on a smooth runnin engine. For the power the 1700 engine makes the skoot itself is slightly overweight, the HD StreetGlide is about 20 pnds lighter, which may not seem like much but weight does detract from handling and acceleration.

When I installed the V&H 2-1 exhaust on my skoot I could detect better handling, quicker response in turn-in.

In your mods don't forget to at least de-baffle the stock mufflers as that will make further improvements in performance, mpg and helping the engine run a bit cooler. Or as most do install a set of slip-ons.

HAVE FUN with your skoot, I know i have and will continue to do so.

RACNRAY

[redjay]

shortfuse223.

You will be underwhelmed with the power of the 1700 until you add a big air kit and the Powerpro. These 2 mods alone will put a smile on your face. If you like a louder exhaust go that route as well. For me the 2009-2010 mufflers are loud enough and don't seem to detract from the performance aspect.

[Toga]

Finally got it back. all the leaks are sealed, the PC is in and sent to the dyno. The new HP is 75.71 and the Torque is 101.55 - that is a vast improvement over the 68 and 87 (respectively).

Ray - haven't installed the throttle yet. I will let you know how it runs afterwards.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by Toga

Finally got it back. all the leaks are sealed, the PC is in and sent to the dyno. The new HP is 75.71 and the Torque is 101.55 - that is a vast improvement over the 68 and 87 (respectively).

Ray - haven't installed the throttle yet. I will let you know how it runs afterwards.

NICE GAINS...lots more fun to ride now!!

RACNRAY

[Toga]

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

NICE GAINS...lots more fun to ride now!!

RACNRAY

Now I just got to find time to ride it. LOL
Funky thing the fella who did the dyno says that the ignition system shuts off when the throttle is closed but the fuel injection system keeps pumping. So, when the throttle is opened it pops because of the fuel in the cylinders. What's your take?