OK guys,

How come when I asked around for info and searched everywhere for info on the DRZ I found loads of info on loads of stuff, but NOTHING on the apparently common problems regarding waterpump leaks........I say apparently common ´cos I just did search and was nearly buried by the amount of problems people have been having on bikes with as little as 1000 miles....I´m not sure thats the same issue I am having with the top end but I´m bloody glad the seal failed in Spain on mates driveway and not in Western Sahara in a few months! Might be worth considering carrying a spare shaft seal if you´re heading anywhere remote. The job is fairly easy to do, and the part is small but horribly specific...

Just a quicky!

Dave

I have just tried a search in here for "DRZ waterpump" and I got one return; your latest message - I guess your search has been across the whole of the internet therefore?!



Good luck with the work with a lack of tools!!

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Dave

What happened to your pump? I now rember the first couple of years it would have a very slow leak, but I thought that had been addressed. In fact I never knew of anyone coming in to the local dealer with the issue and there are lots of DR-Z's here and I am friends with the owner. In fact I had forgotten about it. Let us know what happened.

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John

just read you other post, I have NEVER heard of one spitting water, the problem was a very slow drip that people fixed with RVT in the weap hole. I am thinking something more may be going on. Is your shaft out of balance? Also your counter sprocket nut should be torqued between 70-75 ft/lbs or it can cause some issues over time. Other than that how did the DR-Z do in the desert?

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John

Interesting comments guys,

I have the name of a mechanic in Barcelona recommended buy a guy called Jens. He says that Sergio is a good mechanic and can be trusted.....I normally never let anyone touch my bike unless I know them personally, I´ve seen more damage done to bikes by shitty mechanics than have ever broken down by themselves...BUT I am going to have to get my bike delivered there and fixed by a guy whose workshop I have never seen and who I havnt met. Its a huge risk but I have little choice if I´m to make amy appointment with the desert in six weeks. All I can do is hope that the great reputation of the HUBB stays as sound as it always has and helps get me out of the shit one more time!

In response to your questions...

I am pretty confused about what is going on too! I´ve never even heard a sound like the one my engine is making in 10´s of thousands of off road miles. Its pretty wierd. Its also really frustrating to have no tools and to be flying home tonight unable to sort it out properly. I dont think the engine is out of balance, I´ve ridden three DRZ´s in recent months and it feels the same as any other, certainly no more vibes than before. The counter shaft nut was torqud up to spec, but I´çve not checked it since, I´ll have a look tonight before I leave to mke sure its OK.

The bike itself is everything all my other desert bikes should have been. Each of them has had its merits, but the DRZ is the best of them all. The only thing I would change given the option is to put an ´s´model engine into an "e" bike frame. I like the simplicity of the "e" frame and setup. Stuff like the weight and the grease nipples make for little differences that really work out well, BUT, the "e" engine is a little fussy on fuel quality because of the higher compression ration and for me its a bit top end buzzy. The torque you get from the "s" engine at lower revs makes it a better sand plugger, and I´m never going that fast to use the top end of the "e" range anyway..

As it is I currently have neither!!! So I´ll do my best top get something sorted next week and keep you guys informed of the outcome.

As ever, cheers for the support. I´ll put up some pics and post the final spec of the bike if I get the chance in the next few weeks. I think if I get this problem sorted I´ll finally have my ultimate lightweight desert tourer after a ten year search! But if you have any other ideas I´m all ears!

Dave

If you want to swap out engines from an E to an S it is very easy. Change the cam and base gaskit. Actually I put an E cam in my S and the extra power is nice. Many people with the S put the thinner E base gaskit on for the higher compression, no reason you cant go the other way and put an S gaskit on your E to lower compression so that you can use regular fuel. That is basicaly the only diffrance except the ECM is slightly diffrent with the engines. The S maxes out at 10K RPM and the E at 10.5K RPM. Just a thought. Hope you get things sorted out well soon.

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John