There were no noises before it quit, just all of a sudden happened. I will have to crack it open and see what all is wrong with it. If it isn't done in 2 days then oh well. I will let you know what I find out

 

Before you drop the $$$$ on doing a topend besure to check the counter balance for water/antifreeze.If it hasent been maintaned and the counter balance is bad he may not want to pay to fix it.And by having oil in the rope cover I bet it is bad.

 

boom! if the recoil starter won't turn and the engine with it,you'll need
some time to de the top end rebuild but that not as easy,i would check
crank bearing and seals,counter balance and case shape before expecting a bring back too soon.if you wanna tay it stock and don't want to rebuild it for at least 1 year,go stock piston.

 

I have my 96 scrambler 400 torn apart right now... putting new piston in it. Mine did same thing yours did, was riding and it just quit, was actualy just riding through the pits at the drag strip - easy... not that it has had a easy life though! My motor was also locked up, would not pull with the rope or with starter... have the skirt broken off the piston. Have new parts on order, and will bore it just to be safe. Maybe yours is not that bad, but if so, at the very least, pull motor and clean very well inside, metal in crank bearings is not good. Better to have new bearings, etc put in to be on safe side.
Good luck.
Ken

 

i bet if it is oil on the pull rope it s the counter balance it would half to be its the only oil in the area if this is the case get ready for a big nasty mess...wont be easy or cheap...
have you seen the 2005 preditors yet???

 

I had oil on my recoil rope at one time. The seal on the crank separating the counter-balance assy from the recoil housing was leaking. As stated before, check the counter-balance oil for condition and level. Check here , #42