Possible Frozen Pistons??

[82GS300L]

So I've been trying to start my bike since I've been restoring it and when I go to turn it over the starter just catches and clicks and then does nothing and then all the wires get hot and then I see some smoke so I stopped that.

I've cleaned all my connections and stuff already and I've pretty much determined that my pistons are stuck/frozen

I was wondering if anyone has any tricks or anything that might help me turn my bike over would be greatly appreciated. I've already been spraying PB Blaster down the spark plug holes to help to try to un-freeze the pistons.

 

[Nessism]

If you take off the ignition cover on the RH side of the engine, there should be a 19mm hex nut you can put a wrench on so you can try to turn over the engine that way. Don't mess with the smaller hex screw, only use the bigger one, and always turn the engine clockwise.

Good luck

 

[82GS300L]

Thanks I was already planning on doing that actually after I let my PB Blaster sit on the pistons for a few days

 

[Thumper88]

Sounds like you've already removed the spark plugs (PB blaster). Can you see the top of one the pistons? Is it hitting a valve?-->Is the timing correct?

 

[82GS300L]

Yes I can see the tops of both pistons and I don't think that the valves are hitting the top of the pistons because how could the timing be incorrect if the bike only has 511 miles on it?

 

[Nessism]

Yes I can see the tops of both pistons and I don't think that the valves are hitting the top of the pistons because how could the timing be incorrect if the bike only has 511 miles on it?

If some hack remove the cam chain tensioner or botched up the engine in some other way. Very possible with old bikes unless you know their past history.

 

[hjacobmiller]

It doesn't sound like stuck pistons to me... But I can't honestly say I would know it if I saw it! :lol:

Have you checked the wire all the way to the starter? See if it is shorting out on the starter motor cover and losing voltage between the solenoid and the starter motor. If is shorting out, you'd get some hot wires, not enough power to turn the crank and some smoke.

Don't ask how I know

There starter gear that turns the starter clutch could also be jammed up under your stator cover.

Definitely try to turn the engine by hand under the timing cover first though...

 

[82GS300L]

It doesn't sound like stuck pistons to me... But I can't honestly say I would know it if I saw it! :lol:

Have you checked the wire all the way to the starter? See if it is shorting out on the starter motor cover and losing voltage between the solenoid and the starter motor. If is shorting out, you'd get some hot wires, not enough power to turn the crank and some smoke.

Don't ask how I know

There starter gear that turns the starter clutch could also be jammed up under your stator cover.

Definitely try to turn the engine by hand under the timing cover first though...

Thanks I didn't even think about checking to see if the wire going to the starter is shorting out because the wires do get hot and there is some smoke when I've tried to turn it over so I will check that!

I just started school again so I'm 3.5 hours away from my bike but I'm going home this weekend to pull the right side cover to see if I can turn the motor over manually because I didn't have any time when I was home for the Baltimore Grand Prix!!

Question though? How do you get the starter motor cover off without pulling the head? Because I've looked at that before and I didn't see any other way to do it.

 

[duaneage]

This may sound bad but is the bike in gear? can you work the clutch and disengage the engine from the transmission?
If it's locked that hard you may have no choice but to tear it down. Even if it frees up, the cylinders are going to be scarred and you might break the rings.

If it's only got 500 miles on it (for real) it would be worthwhile to tear it down.

 

[hjacobmiller]

Thanks I didn't even think about checking to see if the wire going to the starter is shorting out because the wires do get hot and there is some smoke when I've tried to turn it over so I will check that!

I just started school again so I'm 3.5 hours away from my bike but I'm going home this weekend to pull the right side cover to see if I can turn the motor over manually because I didn't have any time when I was home for the Baltimore Grand Prix!!

Question though? How do you get the starter motor cover off without pulling the head? Because I've looked at that before and I didn't see any other way to do it.

The starter cover has two bolts on top. Take those out and you'll have to wiggle it out underneath the cam chain tensioner. Definitely don't have to take the head off or anything like that. Don't worry about that though, I thought I head to take the "cylinder head" off instead of the valve cover off when I first went to check my valve clearances!!

Baltimore? Are you in the DC area? I might be able to swing by and help take a look sometime in the next few weeks.

The "right side cover" is your timing cover. Under there you will see a 19mm hex head washer. Try to turn it forward (clockwise) slowly. You'll get a vague idea of how the ignition system works while you're in there too.

PM me if you need anything. I might have some pictures or something that may be of use for a point of reference or something.

Good luck!

 

[Who Dat?]

Yes I can see the tops of both pistons and I don't think that the valves are hitting the top of the pistons because how could the timing be incorrect if the bike only has 511 miles on it?

Gee, I don't know. :-k

How could the pistons possibly be frozen in an engine that only has 511 miles on it?

 

[Remington44-77]

I left my bike sitting for 25 years. I runs great now, but I'v put a lot into it.
Mine was seized also. Pour in a good quantity of Blaster or Marvel Mystery Oil, let set for several days. Remember, if you get it to turn over change the oil before trying to start it. I had mine on the center stand in low gear and pulled on the rear wheel to get it to turn over. That gives you a lot of mechanical advantage to over come the rust. Chances are that the rings will wear out quickly after you do get it started. Mine lasted about 6 months. I wound up putting a Big Bore kit in just to get past the pitting in the bores.
The bores accumulate condensation after sitting so long. This is what causes the pitting in the bores. Hang in there, it's all repairable.

 

[tkent02]

20 years sitting outdoors in a maritime environment? Yeah, it's gonna be stuck.

 

[barnbiketom]

put in JB BLASTER

wait 2 days.

put it on center stand .

put it in 3rd gear and work the rear wheel back and forth

and if it doesn't break loose.. you need to rebuilt/replace.

 

[koolaid_kid]

PB Blaster is the best OTC penetrant you can buy. If you want the best penetrant, get on the web and buy some Kroil. +++++1

 

[Guest]

Kroil is what I have used for years.

It is the best, by far. It penetrates to 1 millionth of an inch!!
I have a gallon that has lasted me for a loooong time.
I have given some to a number of friends and they have been amazed.

http://www.kanolabs.com/penLub.html

 

[82GS300L]

The starter cover has two bolts on top. Take those out and you'll have to wiggle it out underneath the cam chain tensioner. Definitely don't have to take the head off or anything like that. Don't worry about that though, I thought I head to take the "cylinder head" off instead of the valve cover off when I first went to check my valve clearances!!

Baltimore? Are you in the DC area? I might be able to swing by and help take a look sometime in the next few weeks.

The "right side cover" is your timing cover. Under there you will see a 19mm hex head washer. Try to turn it forward (clockwise) slowly. You'll get a vague idea of how the ignition system works while you're in there too.

PM me if you need anything. I might have some pictures or something that may be of use for a point of reference or something.

Good luck!

Ok thanks! Next time I'm home ill try and "wiggle" the starter cover off even tho there doesnt seem to be much wiggle room from what I remember.

Nope not DC area but I'm in between Fredrick and Baltimore off 70 in Howard County.

I used your tip but I ended up taking off that whole timing cover instead just to poke around a bit and I ended up being able to get the pistons free'd up after soaking the tops of the cylinders with a combo of PB Blaster and Marval Mystery Oil.

So I was able to free it up last time I was home it is spining freely now and the starter has no problem spinning it up!!!!!!

Now I just have to rebuild and jet the carbs... oh what fun! lol

 

[82GS300L]

20 years sitting outdoors in a maritime environment? Yeah, it's gonna be stuck.

Yea the guy I bough it off of bought it from the original owner who rode it the year he got it and then parked it which is how it has sat until I got it.

 

[Guest]

Glad you're progressing positively!!

 

[Remington44-77]

Glad to here that you have it loosened up. You should have it running in no time.
Oh yes, Marvel oil is what I use in my air tools because it smells good compared to other oils. It is a light oil for use as a top oil in automotive engines. I am not sure you should run it in a motorcycle since there are detergents in it. Not good for the clutch plates. That goes for STP, Bardol, and other motor additives with detergents in them. Somewhere here in the forums is an excellent article on oils ect.