Doug McAllister/Under the Hood: Rust complicates many repairs
24.05.12
What we are starting to see is rust underneath, complicating some of the normal repairs that might otherwise be pretty simple. What Im talking about are rusted and seized nuts and bolts and also brake and fuel lines that rust and start to leak.
Its not that these things cant be repaired, its just that it may take a little longer and a little bit of creativity on the technicians part. I think the technician in the aftermarket is probably better equipped and experienced in dealing with these types of situations.
If you think about it, the aftermarket starts seeing the car when the warranty runs out, usually about three years after the car was made, and there certainly shouldnt be any rust issues during that time.
Recently we had to replace some bushings on the lower control arms of a Pontiac PT Cruiser. Normally this would be a fairly straightforward job, requiring a couple of bolts to be removed from the sub frame. However, these bolts would not come loose from nuts welded to the inside of the frame rail; in fact they broke loose.
Cars fail to meet green norms, taxi owners in a fix
24.05.12
Sources in the company said development of the BS IV engine was taken up nearly two years ago, well before the new norm came into force on April 1, 2010. But progress has been very slow. "The engine may be introduced around the end of this year. Till then, HM cannot sell new taxis," one of them said. "It will be more expensive than the BS III version as there is considerable investment going into the engine upgrade," he added.
Days before the BS IV norms became mandatory in new vehicles, the company had moved the government, seeking a relaxation that allows the company to sell BS III taxis till the new engine is introduced. It was provisionally granted for three months and then extended till March 2011. Thereafter, registration of BS III vehicles stopped. The company has recently asked the transport department for concession till December 2012 but there has been no response yet.
Faced with the high court stricture and risking cabs being seized, owners of 15-year-old taxis want the government to extend the BS III concession period till the BS IV Amby is introduced. They argue that the old taxis belching noxious fumes need to be urgently replaced and that BS III cars that emit only slightly more pollution than BS IV ones are better for the environment.
Breaking loose a seized motor in a Jeep CJ-7. Fun garage gearhead stuff.
How much does it cost to fix seized kawasaki ninja 250 engine?
May 21, 2009 by C.. | Posted in Motorcycles
im looking into buying a ninja 250 with a seized engine but before i do so i want to know how much it will cost to fix... obv not gunna get an exact price but if anyone can give me a ballpark i would appreciate it.
Depends, if you seized the bottom end, it will be much more.
Lumpylion M | May 21, 2009
The best way to see how much it would cost you, is to see exactly what is wrong with the engine. If you know, you could go to a local mechanic or a atv/motor bike store and get a price. I'm sure if you knew what was wrong with it, you would be able to get the right price. It may need a new one all together. Sorry I can't tell you what it would cost, but hopefully this will help to find out.
Sincerely,
Cassie
Cassie | May 21, 2009
the first thing you can try is Marvel's mystery oil, it's about $6 - $10 and can do some amazing things. To replace or rebuild an engine you're looking around $500 - $2500 depending on the damage, parts, and labor. Best bet is to get an estimate from a mechanic, and anything over $1500, you're better off scraping your bike, and buying another one. Good luck.
Loki | May 21, 2009
My answer is along the lines of other suggestions. If you can determine the nature of the seize that would help you greatly! Is it seized from sitting and the pistons and cylinder walls are corroded? Did you detonate the bottom end? Have you tried again lately? Was it just a rapid seize from heating the piston too quickly while the engine was still cold? Will it start now?
I would think those numbers offered are on the high side if you shop around, but it may be possible depending on how much machine work needs to be done, if you just need to hone your cylinder or need to bore it out as well..
I would start searching online for motorcycle salvage yards, buy a used engine with a limited warranty from one, and stab it in to your bike. Badaboom your back in the saddle and have time to tear your too-fitty down and fix it right.
Also, drain some oil onto a piece of paper, look for shiny little bits of metal..... if you see any....well.... you get the idea.
GenMischief | May 21, 2009
Average shop cost in US 70/hr. Average hours to pull an engine an disassemble 10 hours. Average amount to put back together and in the bike 8 hours. Parts are additional, you could be looking at main bearings, cylinder scoring, rings, pistons, bent valves etc.
I was once given a 500 Interceptor,with title, free for the hauling. The bike was not seized, but had a lot of internal engine damage-scored main bearings, 8 of 16 valves bent. How did this happen? Because the past owner, would start the bike, then race off down the street, never giving the oil a chance to warm up or start to circulate really well. This happens frequently on sportbikes of all sizes. Moral-never run a motorcycle more than 1/4 to 1/3 throttle before it is warmed up. When starting the bike, use the choke and immediately knock it down if the engine is racing more than 2000 rpms. Oil is thick when cold and can't get to all the parts.
Jancie | May 22, 2009
How do I fix A seized engine in my Suzuki GS 550?
Aug 14, 2009 by andrewcountryboy | Posted in Suzuki
The Engine got Seized over the winter. What do I do To get it free?
100% rebuild. If you just free it up and run it, the rust will grind it down like sandpaper.
MWAP Too | Aug 14, 2009
Simple task. Purchase a pint of Marvel Mystery Oil. Remove spark plugs. Pour about 3 tablespoons into each cylinder. Wait 12 hours. Pour about 3 tablespoons into each cylinder again. Wait another day. Procure small wooden dowel, probably 3/8Inch and insert into plug hole. Tap gently with mallet each cylinder. If things start to move this is a good sign. If not, try more Mystery oil over the next several days. Repeat with the tapping. If this does not free it up then a tear down is required. If it does work, use the starter to turn the engine over for about a minute or two, to relubricate the cyclinder walls with Mystery oil. This will cut the rust that may be there on the walls and free any stuck rings. Then drain the oil, change the filter and put new oil in. You should be able to start it then. But you may find that one or more of the valves are sticking too, so be careful to shut it down immediately if you hear any tapping from the engine. You may be able to tell if you have a sticking valve by turning it over with the starter motor and listening carefully for unusual noises from the top end. This is what I would do before starting it for the first time.
No guarantees this will work for you, but it is worth a shot given the alternative is a tear down. This worked for me on my old outboard motor and an old 6 Cyl car engine. No problems afterwards, but it depends a lot on how much rust is in there. If the cylinder is full of water because you left the plug out and the machine was out in the weather all winter, do not even think about this working for you. You will have to replace the cylinder(s) before it will ever run again.
howard | Aug 14, 2009
How do i fix a seized 125cc motorcycle engine ?
Apr 26, 2010 by Reece | Posted in Motorcycles
my 125cc 4 stroke motorbike has a seized engine, before it seized the bike cut itself out about 4 times and then the kick start locked and i also cannot bump start it. if i hold the clutch in i can still push the bike in gear. please help.
rebuild it, by the sounds of it its majorly seized, seizing up from sitting is manageable,but something in your engine is broken
jacob f | Apr 26, 2010
Well there are lot of urban myths that supposedly work. The only real correct way to fix it would be to take the engine apart and rebuild it. it could have ruined that piston ring or it could have damage to the cylinder wall. Also it doesn't make sense that it would seize being a 4 stroke unless the oil was never changed or got too low. i would recommend tearing it apart. Although, i was an auto mechanic for years and during my schooling, they said that diesel fuel would loosen it up. they said if u soaked a seized engine in it for at least 24 hours, Completely filled up, that it would unseize. Although i think that it would ruin all the gaskets and such, i would try it, cause if you tear it apart. most likely its gonna be a pain, and your going to have to replace EVERYTHING. Good luck brutha.
Luke | Apr 26, 2010
how to fix a seized engine?
Jun 29, 2009 by Julian | Posted in Motorcycles
ok i bought a scooter with a spare engine and the spare engine is seized how do i fix it? i can't even pull the pull start it wont turn over?
thank you for answering.
how do i fix a seized 33cc scooter engine?
Jun 29, 2009 by Julian | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
ok i bought a scooter with a spare engine and the spare engine is seized how do i fix it? i can't even pull the pull start it wont turn over?
thank you for answering.
Remove the spark plug and pour in a little engine oil mixed with a little paraffin. Let it soak overnight and then try turning the engine over.
If the engine still will not turn, then take off the head and tap the top of the piston with a piece of wood and a hammer to jar the piston. You will then need to free the rings.
Dr A
The GuardianAbout 90000 vehicles in Japan and 137000 units in the US may have engine problems ranging from “abnormal” noise to stalling while the vehicle is moving, Toyota to recall 270000 Lexus cars over stalling enginesToyota To Recall 270000 Vehicles Worldwide From MondayToyota mulling fix for possible engine defect - -all 1,940 news articles »
It has seldom ended happily and the gas engine has outlived As early as 1918, GM engine pioneer Charles Kettering had predicted the death of the combustion and more »
Toyota Motor Corp. announced today it will recall 270000 vehicles worldwide to fix faulty engines that could stall while the vehicles are moving. and more »
Report: Navy shares the blame for San Antonio's defectsThose bits had contaminated the engine oil, and that caused the bearings - and ultimately the engines - to fail. But what allowed the bits and other and more »
Palin points out the administration has asked Congress to cut spending on defense programs they say are unnecessary, like an extra engine for the F-35 joint and more »
The GuardianAbout 90000 vehicles in Japan and 137000 units in the US may have engine problems ranging from “abnormal” noise to stalling while the vehicle is moving, Toyota to recall 270000 Lexus cars over stalling enginesToyota To Recall 270000 Vehicles Worldwide From MondayToyota mulling fix for possible engine defect - -all 1,940 news articles »
Palin points out the administration has asked Congress to cut spending on defense programs they say are unnecessary, like an extra engine for the F-35 joint and more »
