2000 SRX engine rebuild

rx1jim

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Feb 17, 2008
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Poughquag, NY
I have a 2000 SRX which has given me 13000 trouble-free, perfect miles of riding in all kinds of conditions. This sled has been absolutely incredible. The engine is completely stock and has never been opened (yes, I have learned I should have rebuilt the top end long before now) nor has it been abused. The sled has been used mainly for long distance touring, very few full throttle runs on it. I am planning on disassembling the engine and replacing all the seals, gaskets, o-rings, etc., a complete rebuild. I am thinking with this many miles, I should definitely replace the pistons. I have been collecting up all the OEM required parts, a little at a time as the budget will allow. The engine has been run on Amsoil synthetic oil since day one. Before the disassembly, I'm going to check the compression in each cylinder after warming up the engine. I'm hoping the cylinder measurements show they are still within specification, if they are even close to the wear limit, I'll send them out to be stripped, replated and honed. Given the discussions on this sie regarding the sensitivity of this engine to declining gas quality, i am considering the use of the Swain Tech thermal coatings on the head and piston domes. This will be a good warm weather project. Any suggestions, tips or things to look out for during the rebuild? Thanks for the help!!
 
Wow

13,000..nice, dont tell me the drive bearings are stock as well lol. It might be cheaper to find an entire low mileage engine or lower end. Id be worried over main and rod bearing wear, crank pins, water pump bearing seals, blah blah...The crank will need to come apart to measure these things.
The snow it is melting parts should be getting cheaper by the day!
 
IF YOU HAVE HAD AMSOIL IN THE SLED ALL THESE MILES, YOU WILL BE VERY SURPRIZED HOW GREAT SHAPE THIS MOTOR IS WHEN YA TAKE IT APART. 3:16 (yammie tony)
 
The condition of the crankshaft is the big unknown to me. Is there a reputable shop I can send the crankshaft to for inspection and servicing if required? I know this engine has a lot of mileage but I know the hstory of my engine, especially the crankshaft since I know exactly how well it has been treated. I've see many sleds that have as little as 500 miles that look like and run like they were stored in salt water. Mileage does not tell the whole story. Thanks!!!
 
YAMMIEGOD3:16 said:
IF YOU HAVE HAD AMSOIL IN THE SLED ALL THESE MILES, YOU WILL BE VERY SURPRIZED HOW GREAT SHAPE THIS MOTOR IS WHEN YA TAKE IT APART. 3:16 (yammie tony)

I agree 100%....a buddy of mine said I was full of shit when he helped me disassemble it. I had 15,212 KM on my original pistons, rings etc, and have used amsoil since the very beginning (aside from one tankful of normal oil to break her in)

All I heard was "There's NO F'in way those are original pistons"...all I kept saying was AMSOIL.....
 
rx1jim said:
I have a 2000 SRX which has given me 13000 trouble-free, perfect miles of riding in all kinds of conditions. This sled has been absolutely incredible. The engine is completely stock and has never been opened (yes, I have learned I should have rebuilt the top end long before now) nor has it been abused. The sled has been used mainly for long distance touring, very few full throttle runs on it. I am planning on disassembling the engine and replacing all the seals, gaskets, o-rings, etc., a complete rebuild. I am thinking with this many miles, I should definitely replace the pistons. I have been collecting up all the OEM required parts, a little at a time as the budget will allow. The engine has been run on Amsoil synthetic oil since day one. Before the disassembly, I'm going to check the compression in each cylinder after warming up the engine. I'm hoping the cylinder measurements show they are still within specification, if they are even close to the wear limit, I'll send them out to be stripped, replated and honed. Given the discussions on this sie regarding the sensitivity of this engine to declining gas quality, i am considering the use of the Swain Tech thermal coatings on the head and piston domes. This will be a good warm weather project. Any suggestions, tips or things to look out for during the rebuild? Thanks for the help!!

don't get the domes of the heads coated, just the piston crowns. if you coat the domes of the heads, the heat won't transfer thru them, into the coolant, and dissapated, where it should. you will keep way too much heat into the motor w/the swain tech coating on the head domes. just get some pc9 coating on the piston skirts and the tbc coating on the piston crowns.

also, your crank will most likely be in perfect condition, w/little to no wear on the rod and main bearings, especially when using a good amsoil product. also, if you mic the piston skirt to check to see if they are within spec and the wear limit, i will be willing to bet that they are fine too. no need to put new pistons in it, if the ring lands are fine and the piston skirts are within spec. i would just give it new rings and seals, especially if the parts all measure out fine. just be sure to "deglaze" the cylinders before reassembly, otherwise the rings won't seat as well as they should. don't baby it during breakin either. just give 'er.
 
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I agree with mopar being feed a steady diet of amsoil crank should be just fine but do check things out for any obvious signs of problems,i bet your
pistons are still within spec too,and cyls should be for sure(nic plating is hard wears very good).do a complete job,rings,seals reeds,WP gasket,etc,etc..take your time and do it right, OEM parts.she'll be good for
another 13,000.
 
Thanks guys for your advice. I'll probably start working in the engine in April. Should be a fun project. I just ordered the last of the gaskets and seals. I ordered the pistons to have them in case I need them this time or for a future rebuild. I wonder when the OEM engine parts will be hard to get, New body parts are now no longer available. I'll follow your advice on coating only the piston skirts and tops, this may offer a little extra protection. I did not ride this sled this season, I've been riding my 03 RX-1. The SRX is my all time favorite sled. I met a guy on my last ride at a gas stop who collects them, he has 15 in his collection!!! Talk about a fanatic.
 
rx1jim said:
Thanks guys for your advice. I'll probably start working in the engine in April. Should be a fun project. I did not ride this sled this season, I've been riding my 03 RX-1. The SRX is my all time favorite sled."

I have to agree with you on this! I have owned a lot of sleds my all time favorite "trail" sled is by far...my 2002 SRX. My favorite race sled is a tie between my Mod 1981 440 SRX + my 1995 Mod VMAX4.
 
Numbers

Post some spec numbers on piston size, bore size. We finally get a engine weened on Amsoil its entire size, so lets see how good it is.
 
how's it going.

I am interested on your progress with the rebuild and the specs you have taken.Also would be cool to find out how the crank bearings held up also.Probably will re-build mine in the fall also.Wanted to hear your story and what you found. ;)!
 
just some advice i would get the crank checked in the last year i have help replace and rebuild 5 srx 2000 all with bad rod bearings also when i sent the cranks to get repaired the crank place told me that this what happens to them and the vippers to the same thing. SO get it check a rebuilt crank will cost about $ 375.00 plus shipping and why not replace the piston too and have a brand new engine to stat the year and go 13k miles more my advice do not be cheap you will pay for it latter when you want to ride. thats just my opinion
 
DARV said:
just some advice i would get the crank checked in the last year i have help replace and rebuild 5 srx 2000 all with bad rod bearings also when i sent the cranks to get repaired the crank place told me that this what happens to them and the vippers to the same thing. SO get it check a rebuilt crank will cost about $ 375.00 plus shipping and why not replace the piston too and have a brand new engine to stat the year and go 13k miles more my advice do not be cheap you will pay for it latter when you want to ride. thats just my opinion

I agree, if you plan on keeping it do it now. Cheaper then if something lets go down the road. And pistons with that milage I would replace even if the are in spec. Just my 2 cents!
 
if you want help i have a account with the crank & cyclinder place so you do not have to pay retail let me know and good luck with the rebuild I'm doing the same also same year of sled
 


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