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XJ650 Seca Seized Engine Help

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Rebem, Jul 28, 2016.

  1. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    Are you near them or is it a long drive
     
  2. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    How many times have we heard, or been told similar things? You didn't really believe him, did you? The thing to do is:

    EVERY time you get the "it runs perfect/ran yesterday/ never needed any work/huh.......never made thatnoise before/battery was good yesterday/shop went through it/etc....." type of line, you say to yourself," yeeeeaaahh, rrright.......so I'll have to fix that, too---taking some more off before I make my offer".

    Dave
     
    Jetfixer and Toomanybikes like this.
  3. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    Nope, she turns over easy as. Both with the starter and the timing bolt and spanner.
     
  4. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    Not far at all but the guy said he's not sure about the state of the motor. He has already disassembled the bike.
     
  5. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    ...I think I interpreted that as still seized pistons. I agree, the rings might be stuck for sure.
     
  6. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Well, that could mean the rings are seized in their grooves, and you have a very low compression.....that would allow it to turn over really easy too
     
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  7. MiGhost

    MiGhost Well-Known Member

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    Exactly!

    ~Ghost
     
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  8. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    If the motor is out he can still run the starter and do a compression test
     
  9. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    True. For a bit of context, I paid $500 (Australian) for this bike, so next to nothing. It's in fantastic condition overall so I'll probably rebuild the motor if it's viable. The wrecker was going to charge $550 for the motor alone if he could turn it over and it looks rough as guts.

    I really appreciate everyone's help on this forum. I'm going to take a bit of time away from the bike to work out my next step, but a check of the cylinders and a rehone/rebuild is definitely on the cards.
     
  10. a100man

    a100man Well-Known Member

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    Priced up the rings yet ? They will be close to the 500 (AUS) you already paid I reckon..
    I got lucky with some NOS for my 600 a full set (bar one ring) and it still cost 100 GBP.

    I take that back - I checked an Chacal does them for 170 USD - a bargain actually.
     
  11. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Well-Known Member

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    Wow pricy parts ! So what kind of $$ does a nice 650,750 seca sell for?
     
  12. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    Ouch! I'm guessing there's no after-market choices.

    ...Chacal's pricing is far better. That's about $220 AU plus shipping. Much more reasonable!
     
  13. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    Long time no post - I had to take my carbies to church and fix a few issues with them. In short, I bought another "donor" bike and got a better set of carbies so took them to church also! I think I'm over the whole rebuild thing.

    Speaking of rebuilds, I got the bike started. Electrics are all good and the fuel system is obviously great now. As predicted though, there was a regular yet light stream of oil smoke from the exhaust so I guess the rings are shot. Next step is to try the engine from the donor bike and see how I get on. It's in pieces though, so another project.

    Is it viable to replace just the top end on these engines? i.e. head and cylinder components of the engine.
     
  14. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Or it could be valve stem guides are worn or dried out.... have you done a compression test or leak-down test?

    I'd confirm those before testing an engine apart. It would at least give you an idea of which direction you're heading.

    If you end up pulling the cyls, then you can check them, the pistons/rings, do the head while it's off, etc.... whole top-end job!
     
  15. Alan63

    Alan63 Active Member

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    I agree , do the compression test , and how bad is the smoking really , when the engine is warmed to operating temps and on the road ?
    If it were only using a litre of oil every 2000 miles or so , it's not urgent imho
     
  16. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    A litre down on an engine that only holds 2.5? Seems pretty bad to me, especially if it's air cooled!
     
  17. wingnut325

    wingnut325 Member

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    I say ride it a 100 miles and re do the compression test and check the oil smoke. If it's not better that all you did was get to ride it a bit before you do the top end rebuild.
     
  18. Alan63

    Alan63 Active Member

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    I meant burning that amount !!!
    Not running it continually that way
    If you didn't understand that , then What else Can I Say????
     
  19. Alan63

    Alan63 Active Member

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    The Suzuki 650 that competed with this model used that much oil when nee
     
  20. Rebem

    Rebem Member

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    Thanks for the opinions guys. Smoke wasn't crazy bad but there was a significant oil leak down the front of the engine while running, so I think I'll replace the stem seals and do all the top end gaskets before doing a proper compression test. My guess is that the head gasket is leaking like a sieve.
     

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