ERAU-944

morning bump

Zero10

I have heard that ATF will work well to free a stuck cylinder.
but if it has siezed from overheating, it may require more than that to free it, and if so it would definately benefit from new rings.

ERAU-944

it's not from overheating, it's from sitting (dumb p.o.'s) after a fire (again, dumb p.o.'s) so i may pick some ATF up at napa. i'll use it if WD-40 doesn't work.

-Michael- anything so i don't have to remove the head!

83 TX 944

I bought a ****** jeep from a fellow aways back. He had drained the oil and put in diesel to keep it from seizing while sitting, which worked well. It might be worth a shot to pour some on top of the piston to free it up.

Zero10

Atf is supposed to free rusted rings. But again, if it is stuck, I would at least compression test it once it is free, I think it will require new rings.
However, if that is out of the price range, then ATF or perhaps diesel will help out. My only worry is that the diesel will run down past the rings wherever it can. Although, I suppose ATF would too, just slower.

ERAU-944

yeah, i'm not worried about changing the oil a few times to clean things out, i just want it unstuck. it ran right before this, i get the feeling he just didn't put it away right. wd 40 first, then atf, then diesel, so we'll see whats up

thanks guys!
-Michael-

ERAU-944

time to update this thread!

with only marvel mystery oil and wd-40 (along with a new battery, start switch, and the fixed harness), the motor has come free... and compression is good. how do i know compression is good? because the bike has run FANTASTIC the past 21 miles i've put on it in the ERAU parking lot!!!

it finally runs. seems i have a couple issues to work out though:

1) headlight doesn't work
2) turn signals don't work

i think those are from the units being fried, i intend on replacing them

3) minor oil leak
4) it will soon need a new rear tire

thats about all i can think of!

thanks for all the help that everyone gave me! i'll post pics in the next day or so...

-Michael- 'now i need an outside application rennlist sticker for my bike...'

Peckster

If the piston was seized you should pull the head and barrels to check things out. It may be running now, but it probably won't be for long. Is it smoking yet?

This is a bike, so it's going to seem fast even if one cylinder is low.

ERAU-944

no smoke, and i really don't plan on pulling the head, doesn't sound like fun to me. at this point i have to wonder if a piston really was stuck... its too smooth to have a low cylinder. i'll check the compression next time i get a chance though.

-Mike-

Peckster

How did you know which one was stuck without pulling the head?

ERAU-944

hazarded a guess... judging by the oil that stayed in the cylinder when i squirted it in.

-Mike-

ERAU-944

well, that and the motor didn't want to turn. i get the feeling now that it may have been the starter jammed in the starting position(thats when the fire occured), and until i put a new battery in it didn't disengage.

anyhow, now it starts beautifully, kick starts, idles, no smoke, no weird noise (its air cooled so it sounds a bit like a 911/912), pulls hard, runs smoothly... i am soooo enjoying this!

-Mike-

Peckster

I think you're right. Next time, put it in gear and rock it back and forth to free it.

ERAU-944

there will be no next time it kick starts and starter starts perfect every time now!

-Michael-