My friend has a p650 with 1500 miles that he has owned from new. Yesterday he jumped on for a short ride. He never made a mile when he heard one cylinder quit working. He then started heading home when the machine gave its last dying grunt and locked up tight. An autopsy reveled all fluid levels were normal. The only abnormal thing about the machine was it wouldnt always idle, and sometimes die out after acceleration. Which sounds like a carb problem which just recently started.

Now for the good news: He talked to the dealer today who said you cant buy a new motor from Kaw, just parts. The dealers price to start the process is $1,200 for labor alone with the complete job costing as much as $$$4,000.00 depending upon just how much damage is done.

My friend is more than capable of doing the job himself, so is there somewhere online someone could direct me for parts or perhaps sending the engine to a builder to have it rebuilt a bit cheaper than $4,000.

I'm not too familiar with the Kawasaki forum (polaris guy, you know), but I do have friends with kaw's who seem to have gook luck with their machines. This cant be normal for a motor to puke out with this few miles. I'm curious if anyone has had this misfortune. This machine has no mods nor has it been beat to carp. Just the normal driving mixed with a mud hole or two. The dealer did mention the 750's are seeing troubles with the bearings but nothing with the 650's. Thanks for the replies.

 

Four stroke tech, Fundy`s , or Penland bros. racing all make kits for the 650,do a search and see what you can find on these guys they are the most reputable for kawie`s.$4000 sounds really high .

 

When I had carb issues my machine wouldn't idle and it would make it run like it was on one cylinder. Also very hard to start after it dies but if I waited 15 min it would start. When I had my carb issues my dealer wanted me to put a new motor in too... If you do take the machine apart check your waterpump if you pull the machine apart. 1500 miles is very low on that engine sounds like a cooling issue but it's weird it's not low on coolant.

 

You said it locked up. What locked up? Did it stick the pistons? Did it spin a bearing? Did the crank break? What exactly is causing the motor not to turn over?

 

From my understanding, my friend said the motor wouldnt turn over with the starter and wouldnt budge by trying to pull start it. So I think he was refering to the pistons are stuck. At the time he told me of the trouble he hadnt started ripping it apart. But now he has started taking the motor apart and I havent checked yet to see just what went wrong. It seems he is trying to find cheaper parts than from the dealer, but doesnt know where to look. So I am posting for him (no computer) to look for parts.

 

As soon as he gets it torn down, post back and let us know what locked it up. It could be something simple...........or not.

 

I'd take the CVT cover off to ensure belt was not broke/lodged in tranny and pull the plugs and see if it would then turn over.

 

I concur. Ive seen this myself. The belt frags and jams the drive system.