braindead1684
Member
We where going down the trail today and i was doing somewhere around 80 (nice and wide don't worry) well the engine shut off so i assumed the belt blew off, well to my suprise the belt was all intact and the engine would not start back up, we pulled the plugs and the pto side was leaned out and the clutch side was a little as well. So we pulled it over a few times and found some aluminum on the tip of the plug and i saw some on the piston, Not very much around 10 flakes 3needle points in diameter. After my dad took off to get the tow strap (oops we forgot it) i got it started up and it was running on both cylinders and got up and went fine, i have put about 10miles on it since then (getting back to the cabin), and am actualy there right now wondering if we should go home in the morning or if i should ride it out to see what happens. First what should i do not sure if i can get a new headgasket tomorrow if we pull the head, or where the pieces are from.
change_up
New member
If the headgasket isn't damaged, you don't HAVE to replace them, although it's normally the better thing to do. You can use the high tack gasket spray (can find it at an auto parts store) costs about $5 - $10. Check the compression on both cylinders to see where it's at... it will basically tell you if you can run for the rest of the weekend. A compression tester won't cost you too much money either and can also be found at most auto parts stores.
Although the bottom line in my opinion is... you saw aluminum flakes, so check everything out now before it goes on you later... it can save you a lot of money.
Although the bottom line in my opinion is... you saw aluminum flakes, so check everything out now before it goes on you later... it can save you a lot of money.
braindead1684
Member
Thanks for the info, we pulled the pipes and well NO GOOD, mag side is toast, and the pto side has a gauge, so its getting rebuild, any ideas what would cause it, the pto side is new 200miles or so, something leaned it out not sure what. Also the line by the resivouirs was bubbling when we where looking at it trailside.
daman
New member
If you did a long WOT pull, she melted because your mains are too lean
check to see whats in there and go step richer.
Was this on your '96 vm??
check to see whats in there and go step richer.
Was this on your '96 vm??
braindead1684
Member
yep i was mostly wide open not pegged ALL the way regardless i am sure it was using the main and we are planning on jumping it up one (larger number = richer correct) And yes it was my vmax 
Anyone got a good cylinder i know i need at least one
Anyone got a good cylinder i know i need at least one
daman
New member
braindead1684 said:yep i was mostly wide open not pegged ALL the way regardless i am sure it was using the main and we are planning on jumping it up one (larger number = richer correct) And yes it was my vmax
Man thats sucks,,when you do get it back together MAKE SHURE you keep
an eye on the plugs,,pull them and check after a SHORT wot pull.
Yes larger=Richer
save this link,,it's for jetting your vm
http://www.zenitram-inc.com/Manuals/VmaxJet96.jpg
If you have melted it twice in 200 miles, i would go up 2 sizes, and raise your needles 1/2. It is easier to jet back down then to rebuild back up. Maxdlx
braindead1684
Member
The prior owner did the rebuild and it had thrown a ring thats why he did it, that cylinder is actualy in better shape from the pics i shot up the ex. ports. Won't know for sure until its apart. I am definetly going to go up one size and watch them,
before it died it was having probs starting up (should have been the first sign) and i had to give it some throttle and it started up and idled fine.
Any idea what would have caused it to need some throttle to start up
before it died it was having probs starting up (should have been the first sign) and i had to give it some throttle and it started up and idled fine.
Any idea what would have caused it to need some throttle to start up
braindead1684
Member
daman
New member
Yup,,she's f**ked...grab the tool box!!!!!!!
braindead1684
Member
Good news in a way, i got home from class and my dad had ripped her apart, lokos like pto side jug is ok 
little honing and ready to roll, the mag side might need to go a little over i will post a pic later, but it really doesn't look bad for going 10miles on a bad piston, i got lucky that it shut down when it did. Also it looks like the carbs may be the culprit they are dirty on the airbox side and are not properly synced (guess it should have pulled them beggining of the year). All in all looks like its getting cheaper.
little honing and ready to roll, the mag side might need to go a little over i will post a pic later, but it really doesn't look bad for going 10miles on a bad piston, i got lucky that it shut down when it did. Also it looks like the carbs may be the culprit they are dirty on the airbox side and are not properly synced (guess it should have pulled them beggining of the year). All in all looks like its getting cheaper.
sport-nitro
New member
You should yank it and change the crankshaft seals while you have it apart.The other thing is to check the vacuum port on your fuel pump ,apply vaccuum to the port and make sure it holds.