• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Are my rings Shot??? GS550E

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
  • Start date Start date
A

Anonymous

Guest
I just did a compression check on my 83gs550es and I got between 130 and 120psi the whole way across the board.
THe working psi is (142psi-199psi)
The service psi for this bike is 114psi
and when I added alittle oil to two of the cyl though the spark plug hole the compression instantly went up to like 185psi.
SO according to my hyanes manual this means bad piston rings and or bore.
Is this right?
also I have been having trouble starting the bike when its hot??
Please help me figure this one out
thanks
 
I wish my compression was that good! My lowest cylinder is 110, but my service limit is 100. My bike still runs fine, but I know a top-end job is around the corner.

I'm going to ride mine until the symptoms get bad enough to stop me or I get bored enough to start the rebuild. Symptoms like using oil, poor starting and weak engine performance.

To other GSers - is it common to just replace the rings or more usual to overbore with new pistons/rings?

Thanks,
Ace.
 
Really depend's on the amount of wear, the bore's have to be mesured.
 
Leak down test

Leak down test

Although the add-oil test is usually a pretty good indicator, I've found that a leak down test will give you a much better indication of the engine's condition.

To do this, you need an air compressor with a valve that will allow you to regulate the pressure waaaaay down, and a spark plug hole adapter. You bring each cylinder up to TDC on the compression stroke, screw in the plug hole adapter, and hook it up to the air hose. Be sure that the air pressure is very low; if it's too high, the air will just turn the engine over and you'll have to start again. Remove the oil filler cap and the air cleaner hoses (or air filters if you have individual "pods").

While the air is flowing, listen at the carbs, oil filler, and muffler. If you hear air from the carb, you have a leaking or badly adjusted intake valve. If the air can be heard at the oil filler, that indicates worn rings. Air coming out the exhaust indicates worn/misadusted exhaust valve.

I learned this lesson the hard way when overhauling a VW engine. I did the "add oil" check and found that the one weak cylinder increased, so I though it was rings. Once I dismanteld the whole engine, I found that it was a cracked cylinder head. I could have just put on a rebuilt head and gone on my merry way....as it was, I ended up spending lots more money on a full overhaul of the engine.
 
No I'm just wondering why a cracked head would show a higher compression with the oil test wouldn't the oil go down the cyl walls below the TDC of the piston. I don't see how the oil would go up?
Anyway does anyone know where to find piston rings for these old GSers, please don't say the dealer.
 
Based on my experience with a top end rebuild, I would be certain that a valve adjustment was done first. While not a mechanic myself, I would guess that if you did a valve adjustment you may see an improvement on those numbers. The parts for a top end rebuild are fairly expensive and I would want to be certain that the rings were bad enough to be concerned about now before starting. They appear to be even and above the service level so I would personally wait.
 
yeah I already did a valve adjustment
I dont think if my valve where out of adjustment putting oil down would make them better that doesn't make much sense to me. thanks
 
I was told, again I'm not a mechanic so take what I say with a grain of salt(!), that the oil could seal the valve if it were not seating perfectly and thus up the compression? Maybe that is totally false.
 
The oil test for compression seal's the ring's for a few second's during the test , if the comp reading goes up, its your ring's ,if not it's valve's or valve seal's, once in a while even the head gasket!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top