Engine trouble - Broke down
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- U_h0rnet5
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Engine trouble - Broke down
Hey,
Broke down on the side of the road today! Engine would not pull even at full throttle, as I stopped coolant leaked from left hand side of bike and none left in res. Or rad. Also smoke coming out of exhaust as well. Now in the oil view glass it is white which means that water has some how got into the engine. Just before I start taken it apart does anyone know what the problems might be?
Thanks Ciaran
Broke down on the side of the road today! Engine would not pull even at full throttle, as I stopped coolant leaked from left hand side of bike and none left in res. Or rad. Also smoke coming out of exhaust as well. Now in the oil view glass it is white which means that water has some how got into the engine. Just before I start taken it apart does anyone know what the problems might be?
Thanks Ciaran
- RedexRobB
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
water in the oil and not in the rad, head gasket would be my guess. Compresion test is your friend 

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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
That is what my first guess was as well Head Gasket! DO you know anyone that will do it, can do it myself but just don't have the time. Would the same problems arise if a piston had gone?
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
could be water pump seals.
Not sure exactly what you mean by "piston gone" However it is possible that a holed piston or other incident in the barrel or head could let coolant into the oil depends on exactly what has happened. Could be total scrap or equally could be easy fix
Not sure exactly what you mean by "piston gone" However it is possible that a holed piston or other incident in the barrel or head could let coolant into the oil depends on exactly what has happened. Could be total scrap or equally could be easy fix
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Kinda mean about the valves maybe if one was broken or not seated right could that cause the same symptoms?
Where about's would I find the water pump seals?
If I was at full throttle the bike would pull back as if it was kinda mis-firing, there was no bang just a big puff of smoke out of the exhaust. Just before I left work as I picked the bike up off the stand I heard something drop and rattle down then stop (I think it came near the back of the bike but not sure).
Where about's would I find the water pump seals?
If I was at full throttle the bike would pull back as if it was kinda mis-firing, there was no bang just a big puff of smoke out of the exhaust. Just before I left work as I picked the bike up off the stand I heard something drop and rattle down then stop (I think it came near the back of the bike but not sure).
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
If the Head Gasket has blown would it show signs of leaking on the outside of the engine block?
- RedexRobB
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Not always. On my old ZXR it was a bugger to start as coolant was seeping its way into one of the bores. No sign it had gone on the outside.
Compression test takes all of half hour.
Compression test takes all of half hour.
- U_h0rnet5
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Clever. Not got a compressor tester so no can do! Should really get one could do with it for the motocross bike as well lol
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
the water pump seals are in the water pump.
Right now I am in work and logged in using my phone with a very low battery. I will be on in the morning from home on my comp with a little more advise for wot
Right now I am in work and logged in using my phone with a very low battery. I will be on in the morning from home on my comp with a little more advise for wot
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Sorry Cargo
just realised that reading through the manual lol. That will be my be my first protocol
Sweet cheers guys.

Sweet cheers guys.
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
I've reread your post and it could be that with you seeing water coming from the left hand side that it is indeed a seal in the water pump that had gone............I dont think it's possible to replace those seals and a new or secondhand pump might be the only solution.
Having said that you mention a sudden loss of power..............thats not good and could be head gasket related..............it could also be dropped valve related or holed pistion related.................even just bent valve related given that the coolant is all gone it could also be overheated related siezed even ?
You really need to check everything starting with the easy to get to stuff and move on to harder to see/access stuff.
I'd fill it with water again and look for an obvious leak
Does it turn over.
Is there remains of piston or valve in the airbox or exhaust................
For example you would be able to see the valves once you get the carbs and exhaust off by looking into the ports use a torch..................
Like I say do the easy things first
Having said that you mention a sudden loss of power..............thats not good and could be head gasket related..............it could also be dropped valve related or holed pistion related.................even just bent valve related given that the coolant is all gone it could also be overheated related siezed even ?
You really need to check everything starting with the easy to get to stuff and move on to harder to see/access stuff.
I'd fill it with water again and look for an obvious leak
Does it turn over.
Is there remains of piston or valve in the airbox or exhaust................
For example you would be able to see the valves once you get the carbs and exhaust off by looking into the ports use a torch..................
Like I say do the easy things first
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Ok after that last post I started to strip the bike down! I took the airbox off only to hear something rattle and a bit of metal drop out. Dived even further by taken the carbs off and found that in the 2nd cylinder the valve on the right is bent with lots of metal bits in it and the one on the left does not have the bottom part of the valve on it!
My worst fears were right! Wish it was just a Head Gasket gone now.


What came out of the airbox and at the top of the carbs.

Just can see the pieces of metal.

The oil drain

My worst fears were right! Wish it was just a Head Gasket gone now.


What came out of the airbox and at the top of the carbs.

Just can see the pieces of metal.

The oil drain

- RedexRobB
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
toad the bed! 
Guess the head off is next job to see whats been damaged. Hopefully youll get away with just a new valve n associated parts.

Guess the head off is next job to see whats been damaged. Hopefully youll get away with just a new valve n associated parts.
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Well with the luck I'm having at the moment I'm expecting the worst. Thank God I have a couple of spare engines just to put in it so I can get out and about lol. But yes definitely going to be another fun project over the winter ready for next year that's even if its worth doing/paying for.
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Re: Engine trouble - Broke down
Not the easy fix option then more like total scrap
I'd say the head is scrap.......................... could be more damage further down too...............barrel might be toast
I'd say the head is scrap.......................... could be more damage further down too...............barrel might be toast