Unsticking a stuck motor
- Drafter89
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Unsticking a stuck motor
15 Aug 2015 16:50
Bought this 76 kz400 and the motor is stuck. I'm not an expert on motors but I understand the basics for the most part. I just wanted some insight on some things to do to get it unstuck. It's just been sitting for about 10 years. The guy I bought it from said he got it turned over about 2 years ago with good compression But he never rode it just let it sit up until now. Goes through all of the gears and will roll in neutral no problem. Penetrating oil has been in the bores for about a week but its still not breaking loose. I've tried putting it in its highest gear and rocking it back and forth, And turning the crank shaft. Nothing. Do I just need to keep trying those things or should I pull apart the top end? Any insight? Thanks
78 KZ 400 C1-Daily Driver
New Albany,IN
New Albany,IN
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- Nessism
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
15 Aug 2015 21:03
Sounds like you have already done what you could. Time to pull the engine apart.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/14-vendor-forum/62...rburetor-o-ring-kits
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/14-vendor-forum/62...rburetor-o-ring-kits
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
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- Tyrell Corp
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
17 Aug 2015 03:20
Probably the bore or rings are rusted so the damage has already been done. You might have just one pot really bad.
1980 Gpz550 D1, 1981 GPz550 D1. 1982 GPz750R1. 1983 z1000R R2. all four aces
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- Drafter89
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
17 Aug 2015 04:36
Got the head off. The bores were a little rusty but there was a ton of gunk on the pistons, I cleaned em up the best I could, I got one piston to move slighty but the other one is stuck. Ive tried taking the cylinder off but Its not budging
78 KZ 400 C1-Daily Driver
New Albany,IN
New Albany,IN
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- zero10
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
18 Aug 2015 09:56
I've used a leakdown tester to free a stuck motor once. It's a bit of a redneck solution but 100psi in the cylinder got a stuck piston moving for me. There may be some safety concerns but if you can get the head on and mostly sealed up on that cylinder it could work.
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- Drafter89
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 04:42
Right, Ive heard of that method. I got one piston free the other one is still giving me a hard time. Ive used dot 3 brake fluid in the cylinders and it seems to be working...slowly but surely.
78 KZ 400 C1-Daily Driver
New Albany,IN
New Albany,IN
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- Nessism
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 05:18
Acetone and ATF in half increments makes good penetrating oil. I'd puddle the stuff over the pistons and let them soak.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/14-vendor-forum/62...rburetor-o-ring-kits
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/14-vendor-forum/62...rburetor-o-ring-kits
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
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- Kidkawie
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 07:47
I used Marvel Mystery Oil to free up a tow behind compressor once. Had the engine sit for about a week full of the oil.
1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125
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- z1kzonly
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 08:16
Really, marvels is the best with acetone or lacquer thinner.
But think past this. the whole engine? Most likely shot!
But think past this. the whole engine? Most likely shot!
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!
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- SWest
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 08:19
Take a block of wood and tap on the piston while putting upward pressure on it.
Steve
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
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- Irish Yobbo
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 16:18
My old daewoo once blew a headgasket and so much coolant got into the oil that it seized the engine. I towed it up a hill, put it in fifth and got up to speed to roll start it - it took a couple of tries before the engine started turning over again. I then changed the oil and put some chemi-weld in the coolant, and I drove it daily for another year 
If the engine is seized you can get it running again - but if you care about the engine, you really need to strip it down. If you can get it running you're just delaying the inevitable - you will need to strip it down later.

If the engine is seized you can get it running again - but if you care about the engine, you really need to strip it down. If you can get it running you're just delaying the inevitable - you will need to strip it down later.
1981 KZ750 LTD
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- SWest
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Re: Unsticking a stuck motor
19 Aug 2015 16:33
At this point the idea is to get the pistons out and assess the damage. If you can get the block to separate and wedge it up just slightly, you may be able to drive the piston out a little at a time.
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
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