Hello,

I was given this 1987 Suzuki LT230S quad. It has a cam, big carburetor, and a big bore kit. It starts first kick and runs great. He said it has less than 100 hours on it.

I have changed the oil in it 4 times now including filter and there is still fine (like flower fine) metal residue. I have installed a magnet in the drain plug and have switched to full synthetic. The residue seems to be magnetic.

Often I have a very hard time finding neutral. It's sometimes easier to find neutral from 2nd than first. Other times (when its cold usually) it goes right in.

I have inspected the clutch and it is brand new.

I have ordered a gasket and seal kit and am going to split the case when I have time soon.

Can anyone give me an idea on what might be wrong? It shifts fine, almost like it short shifts. I also think I might be hearing gear noise from the engine.

 

I started seeing metal in my oil when i changed my top end. I put a high compression piston in and it was hard on the rod bearing. I also had trouble with it shifting right before it locked up. If a big bore kit was installed with a stock rod that is what probably what is happening. The stock rod and bearing is kinda weak. mine would still start after it freed up but made a funny gear squeal sound. i had my crank rebuilt and im waiting on the rest of my parts for rebuild. hope this helps

 

oh forgot to mention mine is a 87 LT230S

 

Do you know how many hours you had before it locked up? The amount of residue is so much every oil change that I don't think it is the engine. Plus, there is no rod knock, the engine starts and idles smoothly and quietly. The oil pump looks good and the cam lobes also look good through the valve adjustment ports.

 

Could be clutch shavings

 

Clutch us brand new. It doesn't have any trouble shifting, just finding neutral. I will find out when the gasket kit comes in.

 

yeah, im saying it could be residue from breaking in

 

The po said it had under 100 hours in everything. The amount if residue is significant even after only 1/2 hour. Is the engine separate from the transmission internally? I keep seeing seals for the crankshaft but both sides are wet.

 

They share the same oil. I was breaking my top end in when rod bearing went out, as for rod knock mine didnt have any. Im not sure what else it could be maybe steel plates in clutch. All other bearings are ball bearings usually they dont give off fine particles. One other thing it could be is flywheel / magneto rubbing the stator. Not sure what the metal would look like though.

 

Did you ever figure it out. I'm very curious