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350 engine trouble

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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 12:59 AM
  #1  
deadmeat's Avatar
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Default 350 engine trouble

I have a 93 350 4x4. I am having trouble with getting it started and keeping it running. The only way that I can get it started is to block off the air intake. It will start but idles very fast. After 20 seconds or so, it will backfire through the carb., foul the plug, and will not start again until a new plug is put in and then I have to go through the same procedure of blocking off the air. Does this sound like some kind of timing issue, carb, or what. I would appreciate anything that you would have for ideas of getting this worked out.

Thanks.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 12:13 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

WHat led up to this problem? Have you had the engine apart? was it running fine and then started doing this out of the blue?


It almost sounds like you have a major vacuum line off, but it also could have jumped time. Pull the number one plug, and turn the engine (slowly, by bumping the starter) until it it reaches TDC on the compression stroke. Your rotor(bug) in your distributor should be on or just slighly passing the #1 plug wire position. from here you can run down the wires in the proper timing sequence(18436572). Make sure you recongnize which way the rotor turns(i think its clockwise, but make sure).

When the timing order is correct, Double make sure you have NO vacuum leaks,and it would hurt to take your Carb off and spray some Carb-cleaner in it.





This this and good luck,





Bigger.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 01:00 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

If it is running at high idle then it is running lean. This may be a bad gasket,head or base gasket,carb boot or may even need to be rebuilt.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 01:06 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

Also there is only 1 plug to check and NO vacuume lines. The 350 is a 2 stroke so there is no valves or anything to check. Check the compression. It should be around 130psi. If compression is low then it may need rings or gaskets. If you want to check the rings then put about 2-3 capfulls of oil through the spark plug hole. Check compression before and after you add the oil. If compression is higher with the oil then rings are bad. If not then possable bad gasket. Usually if it idles real high then it means it is lean and getting to much air.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 01:23 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I was thinking he was talking about his truck!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img] LOL!!!!!!!!!!!






Bigger.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 08:33 PM
  #6  
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Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
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Default 350 engine trouble

Check the compression(100-125) that is what it sounds like.Which means time for a topend job.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2003 | 11:00 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

Thanks for the information. I checked the compression like you said. It was only 110. I had to take some of the plastic off in order to make it easier to get the hose and fittings in. It looks like there is a pretty good oil leak to go along with the bad rings (I did both of your tests). I just bought this off of a guy that I know, so, you would think that you would be able to trust him. I also took the carburator apart as well, which looked very clean, and it looked like someone had been messing around with the needle valves ect... It will probably need some serious work as well. I am taking it back to him tomorrow. I guess that is why you get deals on things. I went into this deal expecting to have to do some carburator work, but, I don't have the time right now to tear down the motor on this thing. You have been a lot of help.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2003 | 07:51 AM
  #8  
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Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
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Default 350 engine trouble

You can do the topend yourself in a few hours and parts are less than $200.Hey its a 2stroke this has to be done ever couple of yrs if you ride them much.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 02:37 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble

Dude you can get a piston for like less that $75 new on e-bay. Gaskets are less than $25 with shipping and a bore job here is $65. About $165 and if you still have the plastic off its just a few hours work. A simple afternoon with your buddy and a case a naturalite beer!!!!!!!!!! If the bike seems / looks good try to do the work your self.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2003 | 10:16 PM
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Default 350 engine trouble


This may help. Its from
2 Stroke Rebuild http://www.off-road.com/atv/2stroke.htm



Phase One

The first thing you need to do is all the obvious stuff,
1) Remove all the plastic in the way.In some cases you may need to remove the gas tank also.
2) Remove the exhaust pipe.
3) Remove the carb and reed cage.
4) Drain the radiator and remove the hoses. PLEASE remember its not just water,it's antifreeze. Dispose of it properly.
5) Remove the spark plug and any brackets connecting the head and or cylinder to the frame.

Now that all the prep work is done ,lets jump right into our rebuild.
PLEASE remember that one you open the motor up it is very important that NO dirt should be allowed to get into the motor.

1) Remove the head from the cylinder by first removing the nuts then lifting the head up off the cylinder. First, when removing the head nuts ,it should be made clear that the untorquing should be done gradually and in a pattern, so as not to risk warping the head . The same goes for torquing things back together; it should be done evenly and in the pattern recommended by the manufacturer. Also, never use a screwdriver or other device to pry off the head or cylinder. You can use a rubber mallet to free up a stubborn cylinder.
2) Remove the cylinder from the motor by removing the nuts ,(and yes you should gradually untorque and retorque the nuts using the pattern recommended by the manufacturer),then lifting the cylinder up off the studs. PLEASE note that on some motors their may be other procedures that may need to be preformed before lifting the cylinder off. Example: on the suzuki 250 & 500s there is a cover that must be removed to expose a link that is connected to an exhaust valve. One end of the link MUST be disconnected.
3) Once the cylinder has been removed,EVERYTHING (reed cage,suzuki exhaust valve,old gaskets)MUST be removed from the cylinder.
4) Remove the old piston by removing one of the clips holding in the wrist pin ,then pull the pin out. Be careful not to drop the washers or bearings into the motor as you pull the wrist pin out of the piston. One way to guarantee nothing gets in the bottom end is to stick a clean shop rag over the crank to keep junk out

Phase Two

Once the motor has been disassembled, and only after the motor has been disassembled ,you can now determine what size the new piston will be. To determine the size of the new piston you must measure the size of the cylinder bore.You do this with a cylinder bore gage. If you do not have the proper measuring instruments to do this, you can take the cylinder to a bike shop or a engine rebuild shop to have it measured. Once the size has been determined, you buy a piston and set of rings the next size up.

If you clean off the top of the piston and there are no numbers on the top of it,it may be a "stock" size piston. If it has numbers on it,those numbers can tell you what size the piston is. If it has a number .25mm on it ,it means it's a 10 over piston. If it has a number .50mm on, it means it's a "20" over piston,and so on and so on.

The reason for buying a piston the next size up is because you need to have the cylinder bored to match the new piston and rings in order to have good compression in the motor.

Once you have the new parts,(piston,rings,wrist pin,wrist pin bearing,gaskets),you should then take the cylinder,rings,and piston to an engine rebuilder to have the cylinder bored to match the new piston and rings. NOTE: Please be sure the cylinder is completly disassembled. Example: In the case of a suzuki LT250 or LT500 the exhaust valve MUST be removed. If any of the grit from the boring and honing process gets into the valve or bearings, it will be damaged.

You can the cylinder to a bike shop to have the work done, But I find that the local automotive engine rebuilder in my neighborhood will do it cheaper and faster.

Once the cylinder is bored to match the new piston you will need to make sure the cylinder is spotless before you can reinstall it. Rinse it with warm soapy water,then with clear water. Dry the cylinder then spray it with a very light coat of WD40.

Phase Three

You are now ready for reassembly. It is simply the reverse order of dissasembly, with just a few things to be aware of. Always read the instructions that come in the box of your new piston. There may be special instructions that pertain specificly to your motor that may be very important.

1) Install the piston rings on the piston. The instructions in the box will explain exactly how they fit.
2) Attach the piston to the connecting rod.
a) Slide the bearing into the connecting rod.
b) Place the bearing spacers at each end of the bearing.
c) Slip the piston over the bearing.
d) Then slide the wrist pin through the piston and bearing assembly.
e) Install the wrist pin retainer clips.
It should be noted that while the piston will fit on either way,you need to make sure that it is installed per the instructions that came in the box. That will usually be with the mark (or arrow) on the top of the piston pointed toward the exhaust port. If the piston is installed improperly,damage may occure.
3) Coat the piston with a light coat of 2 stroke oil.
4) Install base gasket. Make sure ALL of the old gasket was removed from the mating surfaces or you WILL have an air leak.
5) It Is now time to slip the cylinder over the piston. You must make sure that the rings are in their correct position and that they are not catching on any thing as you slide the cylinder over the piston. If the cylinder does not go on smoothly, check to make sure the rings have not moved. DO NOT force the cylinder on. Damage will result,at your expense.
6) Torque down the cylinder as per the manufactures specifications.
7) Place new head gasket into position.
8) Place head into position and torque to manufactures specifications.
9) At this point you are ready to reassemble all of the misc. things you had to remove . Such as.....
a) Reed cage and carb
b) Exhaust pipe
c) Radiator hoses (don't forget to refill the radiator with the proper mix)
d) Any linkage that had to be removed,including any engine braces.
e) Gas tank and plastic
f) Install a new plug
10) Double check everything !!!

Now that your ready to fire this Bad Boy up,remember,break it in easy ,so here's a Break in page to make sure this new motor will last. At idle, a cold 2-stroke doesn't get enough top end lubrication becasue the cold fuel/air mix condenses in the bottom end and doesn't make it to the piston/cylinder walls. The motor should be GENTLY revved up and down to make sure the cylinder gets lubed properly. Do this and the motor will last you a long time.

Special thanks to Jason Witzeling and Colin Bylund for their input. Thanks Guys !!

Do It In The Dirt

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