Topic: Ooppps I think I’ve killed my engine

[elly]

Well that’s torn it. Changed my oil and filter yesterday had to remove the pipes of the oil tank, as it’s a customised one it has no drain on it refitted and rebuilt stated it today and by the time id got to the end of our road the engine had sized
Pushed it back with a little swearing along the way .In the garage I checked the oil found to be ok only then after a quick look at some pics of the bike did I realize I had put the pipes on the wrong way round (what a prat) checked the engine and found it had freed itself of Swapped the pipes around crossed fingers and fired it up oil pressure looks ok and no knocking or grinding noise yet. Of for a ride now with my breakdown card with me see how far I get,

Rob

[rbirkhan]

I guess there must be a check valve or something. That really sucks. Well at least it still runs. Probably be fine its a honda.

[elly]

i can't belive it i've just been out for a ride for a hour and everything seems ok

hopefully it will get me through the summer and then i can have a good look at if i need to

[motorbikeman]

My friend did the same thing on his Triumph.  He ran that old machine down the freeway for 20 miles and it finally started making bearing noise.   We took it apart, put a new crank bearing on... everything besides the electrical is fine now.  I wouldn't worry too much as long as things don't start to get worse.

Cheers from michigan

[bryanj]

Ride it, thrash it and in the meantime get hold of another motor and rebuid it cos if it siezed it will give up eventually!

[johnny-from-bel]

These honda engines are pretty solid. I forgot count on howmany times I sized the engine on my XL125.
Best is you change the oil after a 100 Kms or so. There may be some metal scrapings floating arround.

[nickjtc]

Did an oil change on Sophie, got distracted, and forgot to put new oil in. Started her up for the mandatory 3 minute run up to get the oil circulating to be able to check the level. Couldn't understand why the oil light wasn't going out. Ooops. She's done several thousand kms since then with no apparent damage.

[slarty-bart-farst]

It will most probably be a main bearing that seized, if it was cam it would have snapped the cam chain. The white metal bearings will take this, DONT PANIC! If you have an oil pressure gauge it should read 50 -60 psi cold 40 hot at 1000 rpm. If you dont have one then bassed on whats happened I would fit one. 30 psi cold and 20 psi hot means too much came out the bearing when it seized and you need to sort the shells, but this is MOST unlikly, if it runs o.k with good presuure you have no need to disturb it , just put it down to experiance and ride careful for the next 10 or 20 miles this will give time for any high spots to be knocked off, re previous post to make sure change oils and filter, id drop the sump pan off and check / remove any shavings, if they look brillient silver they are from the white metal bearings, but again dont panic if the oil pressures OK leave the motor alone.

Good luck.
 

[rbirkhan]

Rebuit a 408 ford v8 in a AC Cobra replica I was testing the engine after a big bore stroker kit was installed and at 120 mph I look down to see zero oil presure on the guage. I cut the engine pulled over and cranked it over and it sounded fine but still no oil presure 30 seconds later it starts clacking (Hydraulic tappets bled down) I towed it home took off all the main bearing caps everything was cherry except the 2 bolts that held the new oil pump on had fallen out DOH I got lucky but building engines is very exacting check everything 5 times.

[Rosinante]

A mechanic friend had an old Buick that he was tired of.  We decided to blow it up.  We drained the oil and started her up.  After waiting, we went back to work, letting the car idle.  Got tired of that, so we adjusted the idle upward to three or four grand and went back to work.  Later, we decided to really speed up the process. We went for a ride.  Up steep hills, etc.  Nothing.  Went back to the shop and laid a brick on the gas pedal.  The engine screamed until we couldn't stand the noise any longer.  Besides, we decided that if this motor wants to live that badly, we'd give her a stay of execution.  My friend reached down, lifted the brick off the gas pedal and BANG!  Oil all over the garage floor.

Relax.  It's probably fine.  If it ends up failing, THEN rebuild it.  In the meantime, find something else to fret over.

[Gordon]