I love these reliability hacks almost as much as the go-fast mods. Making the bikes last and keeping them on the trails longer. Making them easier to ride, so you can ride longer. The theme of your builds is simply brilliant.

I ride a 2018 KTM 500 EXCF. This bike was purchased used at 114hrs now 165hrs. It has the plastic oil pump gears mentioned in this video. When it was uncorked "reeds removed and muffler end cap grate removed with stock ECU" It would get smelly hot with the fan constantly running while driving it around in 1st and 2nd gear on extended rides. I installed a Tusk 2. bar temp gauge radiator cap and it showed 210 degrees while riding around slow. It would read 170 degrees while riding on the highway. I installed a Slavens high flow billet aluminum water coolant pump impeller. This dropped the engine temp 5 degrees overall across the temp range. Then i installed a Taco Moto Dobeck EJK and a PMB free flow muffler end cap and engine coolant temp dropped again. Now engine temps reliably remain below 180 degrees riding slow and 130 degrees riding the hi-way at 55-70mph. Very rarely the engine coolant temp will reach 190 degrees while riding slow but as soon as air begins moving through the radiators the temp drops quickly. The thermostat remains installed. With the lower engine temps a concern of the plastic oil pump gears may not be a concern any longer but i will be installing a set of the Taco Moto billet gears very soon anyway. I will post back if the plastic gears show significant wear.

I'm extremely grateful for such videos! I love to improve my knowledge on engine and how things work. Thank you for your time to put out great video!

Good vid and info. Keep it up!!! You and your peeps are gonna be on the very top of taco mountain soon enough. Great work and customer service pays off greatly

I replaced the gears with the aluminum ones on my 350. I only knew that on that engine, they were a liability. Now I comprehend the basics of the oil pump, plus now I’m aware of how the idler gear should be freewheeling. Basically, everything in this video, applies to the big bore trannies too.

Mate, there is literally no other channel likes, at least I've never found them. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and saving us so much stress and money. I'm in the UK, otherwise I would have had you build my bike for me. You legend, thanks, again lol

Great oil pump explanation!

How cool. As always, thanks for teaching us whats up!!!

2019 KTM 500 exc-f - steel oil pump, plastic gears. I had a blown head gasket and over heated my bike really bad. The gears are still in good shape. No warping, no damage to them. Thank you for the video. it was helpful.

At 100 hours on my 19 sxf 250(converted to woods at zero hours) I did a top end replacement and replaced oil pump idler gear. The gear was in perfect shape. My bike has a radiator fan and I rarely ride in hot weather. I believe engine heat is the main culprit in warping the gears.

I have no idea what you are talking about, but it was a good video. Kinda cool to see the internals workings of that engine

I know youve heard it a thousand times, but i just wanted to say i love the vids you put out. Nice cam angle and clarity, audio and explanation. Excellent job! I have a 21 450sxf FE, so i will do follow up on feedback. Thanks for putting this out.

Great info - appreciate the inside the case look - see.

2018 KTM EXCF350, on my third set of oil pump gears installed by KTM mechanic under warranty. The first time was at very low hrs, just normal riding, suddenly heard a loud knocking noise, I believe to be the timing chain tensioner not getting full oil pressure. shut it down immediately. Took it in, they replaced the oil pump gears. Second time was like 10 hrs later same thing. Took it in, they replaced the oil pump gears, but told me it was a updated KTM part number. So far I have several desert trips on it since and all is good. Just lost a lot of confidence in my bike and worry about it happening again out in the desert. Other than that I love the bike!!

I've read that it's really only an issue on the 250 and 350. I haven't read anything negative on the big bore plastic oil pump gears.

My 701 Husky failed and I'm rebuilding it now. 2100 miles with gravel dual sport riding as the majority of it's use.

These nylon gears were the reason why I chose 2t over 4t KTM for my new bike. KTM, seriously, weight savings… Yes, the gears may reliable and so on, but the possibility of rebuilding whole top end of a 4t due to oil starvation eventually may cost much more than replacing a cylinder and a piston in 2t. And even in the new 2023 2t SX/XC KTM ditched external oil pump unit (but left it for XC-W model) although you can easily check the pump functionality on 2t TPI models. I do want to get a second bike 4t eventually but it will most likely be Yamaha or Kawasaki.

My 2005 XCF400 has metal pump gears and they (still) work and look like new... after 17 years.

Engines are so pretty

I just replaced that nylon idler gear with the upgraded part number on my ‘18 350 but you’re not asking about that here.

Great video Mike. You should be able to tell whether the gerotor is plastic vs steel by looking at the costs in the parts fiche. It was significantly higher for the metal. Great observation on the idler. I'll look closely as I build the 762x FE501 (my 2016 dinosaur!). I'd always thought another reason for plastic idler and driven gears other than reducing reciprocating mass on low-torque functions was so that if a contaminant jams the gerotor, the plastic gears fail rather than driving and spinning the gerotor in the boss, destroying the case. Oil pump failure either way, but maybe you catch the failed plastic gears before the case it wiped out. Msaybe I'm overthinking what is really a cost and weight-saving measure?

Replaced it on my 250. Prob would have used your gear had I known about it back then.

Aluminum Oil Pump Gears are coming, they are in the test mules now !

@teamagoge-theenduroists8683

2 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah dude!

@bajaboyagd

10 ай бұрын

@troyhicks49 Are the 450 gears available? How do i contact you

I had one spit a single tooth off on a 21 450smr. Luckily for me I caught it in my oil change and knew I had a problem.

@TACOMOTOCO

2 жыл бұрын

Good info and a good catch

Found the same issue with the idler on a '14 500 and am scratching head as to why the gear is tight on the spigot. To add to this, the replacement gear, same part number, is 1mm bigger in outside diameter and will not fit with the driven gear and drive gear. Will be talking to the dealer tomorrow.

I have had one start to fail on a honda grain auger engine, air cooled. Heat seems to gets to them. It failed after the fan blew up and guys running the auger didn't notice until I walked by a seen it smoking. Tore it apart and found the oil pump and governor gears failed. Heat appeared to make them brittle. Smoking air cooled engine, that is what 300degF plus? I expected worse. Repaired the engine and it is still running great years later.

I always inspect the oil pump gears when replacing the clutch hub dampers.

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

We always replace them and forget they’re even there

Like Shop Class with a very good teacher... U learn stuff.... Funny, you go out and buy a 14000 dollar motorcycle and then have to throw more money at it, and change the diapers all the time and fix broken stuff.... The CRF just went.... it's is cheaper than a new corvette though... Now I want a Garage floor....

Thanks for posting this video. I have a 350 exc f that I bought new last year, and although your video is aimed at 450+ models, it's still relevant. Iv'e been worrying about the warping issue on these plastic pump gears, particularly in winter, when the bike isn't used much. One bike mechanic said to drain the oil from the bike if your'e taking it off the road for the winter, this allegedly eliminates the warping issue. The KTM manual says to change the engine oil if you're taking it off the road for winter. I wonder what your thoughts would be on which is best? Most people I speak to seem to think the issue has been resolved on the newer models, so I hope that is the case, as it is a worry, and shouldn't be something people need to worry about on a new bike. Its interesting that you said the KTM service manual doesn't give a clear interval to change it. I was pleased to hear that you sell aluminium billet version's of these gears, I think I will at some point purchase those from you and eliminate any future worries with regard to this issue. Keep up the good work with all the videos you post, for someone with limited mechanical knowledge like myself, they are very much appreciated, thank you.

@lonnieshoup6289

Жыл бұрын

The only reason to drain oil from a vehicle (prior to winter storage) is to help eliminate contained moisture. Same with the fuel. This has absolutely nothing to do with degradation of the nylon gear. However, if the motorcycle-or car- is driven in the winter there's no point. KTM is specifying "...changing the oil..." not eliminating it? Ultimately it's a design issue. The currently used material is not able to withstand the design stress and heat. if a suitable "engineered plastic" material cannot be sourced, then manufacturers need to use aluminum, or brass. Both are softer and lighter than the adjacent steel gears. Cheers everyone.

@gcostanza2115

Жыл бұрын

@@lonnieshoup6289 Hi Lonnie, Thanks for the reply. That makes sense what you’re saying about the plastic gear issue and the getting rid of moisture when the oil is drained.

Do you know if the metal oil pump rotors themselves would fit into a 350 that normally uses plastic rotors?

Hey TacoMoto Co, I was just wondering if you can answer an unrelated question for me about my bike. 2022 Ktm exc-f, Does this bike have a capacitor stock?

I just had a conversation today with a machinist from Portland OR who told me that these plastic gears are a known point of failure. He said that, because the connecting rod bearing is a flat bearing and not a needle bearing, high oil pressure is of vital importance to stop your motor from grenading you need to replace these gears. Anyone know if they use these in the 690/701 platform? I have a 2016 501 in parts in my shop. I'll check these oil pump gears tonight.

Just change mine ..oil was not going up the block. Knocking sound when I start the bike .thought was the tensional but it was not .is thoes gear.

17 xcf 450. idle gear is almost unturntable by hand after 103 hours. gonna be replacing with another nylon i guess.

I need help!!! I can't spin the it at all seems to be jammed what could possibly be the issue?

The small plastic gear on my 2019 SXf350, with 9 hours on the bike, failed. I lost my head, cylinder, piston, crank, and main bearing. The total failure cost for this $15 part was about $6500. I think KTM has upgraded this part.

@Ktmfan450

Жыл бұрын

Damn Hope you some warranty replacement/repair cost covered

Are these on exc models?

help !Does the gear bush not turn? why is the gear heavy? I'm from Brazil, my ktm 450 2018 is heavy in gear. Does it rotate with the shaft bushing fixed?

What years are affected on the 250/350 as I can't find aftermarket replacement gears that go back past MY2017, so are the earlier years ok or just no-one's bothered with a fix for those years yet.

Was there a symptom that caused you to check it?

How much more wight would that make really

On my 500 EXC 2022 engine the oil pump itself is still out of steel, no nylon.

@Kalani_938

9 ай бұрын

What about the other nylon gears he’s discussing in this video?

When your bike runs 210 that will melt or warp eventually.

Nothing wrong with composite gears. My 2011 DRZ400S has a plastic/composite gears....and I have over 50,000 miles on her. No failure yet

Will you sell billet oil pump gears for 450s?

Hi Mike thanks for the info. Does 2017 thru 2019 ktm 500 and Husky 501 use these plastic oil pump gears?

@TACOMOTOCO

2 жыл бұрын

Yes

Did that engine come apart due to an oiling issue? Or did you happen to find that issue with the oil pump gears? I’m interested to see who that happened as I have a 21 450 FX. Thanks for the tech info!!

@TACOMOTOCO

2 жыл бұрын

Discovered on a full rebuild due to a non oil pump related issue

Two 15' 350's...one with 14K and one with 8K and never been opened up beyond oil changes and valve adjustment.

@rlovell383

Жыл бұрын

Weren't the gears metal in 2015?

I have 2017 250 EXCF gear warped and no longer drove the pump smoked engine. Only 98Hrs.

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

Bummer

Just fyi. That’s called a positive displacement pump (vs a centrifugal pump)

Hey Mike! Out of curiosity, do you find the Honda '20+ 450RL more reliable than the KTM 500 EXC-F?

@TACOMOTOCO

2 жыл бұрын

So far no real issues with either bike

@jasonw6993

2 жыл бұрын

@@TACOMOTOCO thanks! BTW - What is the link for Baja Taco Tours? You always say it but no link in any description or on your Taco Moto site.

I heard starting on 2023 they use metal one

Any reason manufacturers use plastic/nylon oil pump gears instead of steel? I know switching to billet steel gears are a common upgrade people do with the Ford Coyote V8.

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

We cover that in the video

@joshpodolsky7740

Жыл бұрын

@@TACOMOTOCO ya I made the comment before I finished watching, my bad.

@iodineclip

10 ай бұрын

can you elaborate on "low torque demand"? i get the weight saving part, but i dont really understand why the gear is plastic due to "low torque demand". is steel going to be bad in this case?@@TACOMOTOCO

The currently used material is not able to withstand the design stresses and heat, as you stated. If a suitable "engineered plastic", AKA nylon, etc. material cannot be sourced, then manufacturers need to use aluminum, or brass. Both are softer and lighter than the adjacent steel gears. KTM and others will destroy their reputation and lose customers. Cheers everyone.

Had a 2017 KTM350SXF did 23hrs from new never raced just local mx riding oil changed ever 4 hrs Engine oil pump or the drive side of the pump failed delivery of oil just stop seizing the engine and destroying the total engine in seconds

There is no excuse for plastic gears, whatsoever. Just blatant corporate greed, or stupidity, or both. ( I work in the automotive industry as an engineer. )

I don't know why they put plastic junk in any motor

Spend 11k on these things just to have some bs like this go out on you...I hope my 500's ok

Those gears are plastic for a reason. If you lose oil, plastic gears are an engineered weak point. The metal gears you propose will continue to spin the pump dry and destroy the cases.

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

Mfgs have used metal oil pump gears in the past and in the case of the 22.5+ 450 competition bikes they went back to all metal again diminishing the validity of the supposition

ktm bike are high performance that go fast but wont last, mostly because of weight savings like metal to plastic bul sh it ,

FIRST OFF , THAT SETUP TO ME IS JUNK.. BETA DOES RUN PLASTIC BUT SELLS STEEL REPLACEMENTS... THERE IS MAINTENANCE ON BETA... TO BE ON SAFE SIDE KTM SHOULD MAKE STEEL ONES LIKE BETA DOES... I WOULD LIKE PEACE OF MIND WITH STEEL, I DONT LIKE PLASTIC ...

@TACOMOTOCO

2 жыл бұрын

We got metal gears coming in a few weeks

Those plastic cogs fail and when they do, your top end Is toast within a few seconds, stupid design

Typical ktm bs. What else are the gonna cheap out on. I bet they will be first to come up with plastic connecting rods.

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

You do know that there’s compost oil pump gears in Hondas, betas, KTM’s, Suzukis, Yamahas, Cadillac’s, Oldsmobiles, snow mobiles, generators, and many other engines. Make sure to not buy any of those cheap products as well to avoid the shock and outrage you’re experiencing right now

@TACOMOTOCO

Жыл бұрын

Almost forgot yamaha, they’ve been doing plastic oil pump gears since back in the 70’s Make sure to run away from those too Best ride a bike I think