My engine seized last weekend while riding in the dunes. I changed the oil last year, rode about 10 hours and hadn't changed it since. I figured I would be good to go for this years trip. 2.5 hours of riding, the engine seized. We towed it back to camp, checked the oil and there was hardly anything there, VERY black and smelled awful. How does the oil get burned up likle that? We saw no smoke, nothing at all. No oil leak and the engine didn't feel like it overheated either. What the heck happened??? I suspect I'm about to drop a couple grand on an engine rebuild...I don't have the means or tools to do it myself.

 

A sport ATV needs the oil changed more often than a car. People normally change oil every 10 hrs of riding OR (and this may have been the problem) every 6 months. Whichever comes first. Maybe condensation got in through an open valve and that's what killed the oil. I dunno. But, instead of rebuilding, maybe you can find a new (used) motor on ebay or something.

 

Welcome to the forums.

One question I have to ask, did you check the oil before you took it out?

 

Thanks for the quick replies, y'all. Nope, I dind't check the oil before hand...I assumed it was ok since I changed it last...probably a catastrophic mistake. I was asked the same question by 3 different people as soon as I got home. Plus, I planned on changing the oil again when I returned. I'm gonna have to take it to a shop regardless 'cause I want to know what the damage is. I'm sure a good mechanic will be able to tell me the story once they identify everything. It's just mind boggling how 2 quarts of oil can get burned up so quickly. My buddy and I changed our oil simultaneously last year, both have '05 400ex's, his oil level/color was perfect and his machine ran flawlessly last weekend. Oh well, I'll have the engine broken down so i can have peace of mind. Thanks again.

 

Was thinking if you used an aftermarket filter and put it in the wrong way, it would have blocked the oil flow. But also think it would have gone belly up last year when you changed it.

Be something to look at though.

 

While I have the engine torn down, any suggestions on some performance parts that I can purchase instead of replacing factory parts?

 

Oh man i hate to hear that Ouch that hurt's even thou it's not mine my little bro did almost the same thing to my old 86' foreman after i sold it to him , he rode it over 3 year's with only one oil change and no airfilter cleaning before it jumped time ; honda's are tough machine's very reliable but the owner's manual call's for checking the engine oil before every ride.

I've forgotten to check my oil every now and then , but i alway's remember to check it on the trail when i would think of what happened to the old foreman ; there's nothing cheap when it come's the cost of part's and labor at a
Dealership !

Again i hate to heat of your plight , and i hope you have a good Dealer in your area who'll give you a break on the cost of repair .

williebee........