Hi. Just picked up my first FJ. Been wanting one for years. This 89 1200 is not running. PO said ran to/from work daily (60 miles) until this month. Lost power on interstate and had to be trucked home. Now engine seems to be seized. My first question is how can I be for sure the engine is seized? I do not have much background working on engines but I am fairly knowledgeable and will finish whatever I start. Appreciate any help.
Thanks
Tom
Take off the gas tank and remove all 4 spark plugs. With the bike on the center stand put the bike in gear and try to turn the motor over by spinning the rear wheel. You might try to rock the wheel forewards and reverse to see if it is free. If yours doesn't have a center stand try to push it with the plugs out and in gear. You can also remove the engine covers and try to turn the engine over with a wrench or proper size socket on breaker bar. Good luck...and welcome! Charley.
Remove the left side ignition cover and use a 14mm wrench or socket to turn the crankshaft.
The engine rotates counter clockwise as you look at the ignition rotor.
Randy - RPM
Thanks for the information. I will give that a try this afternoon.
Tom
Well, looks like it is seized. Couldn't budge the engine with the plugs out and in gear from the nut on the end of the crank or by the back wheel. Think i'm gonna start removing the engine for a rebuild unless there are any other suggestions. Thanks
Tom.
You probably do need a rebuild, but if the seizure is being caused by rusted rings to cylinder liner you could try spraying or injecting via a hypodermic syringe some "penetrating oil", leave it a day or so and then try turning the engine over.
IF it can be turned over from this, then try riding it for a week or so. Then take a compression check.
That will tell you if you NEED to do a full rebuild.
You may get lucky, or you may just have wasted a week before starting the project.
NOTE: The best penetrating oil is a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone (try to not breathe the fumes, and be careful its very flamable)
I love the smell of Acetone in the morning... :yahoo:
Check the sight glass on the engine case and see if there's any oil in it. The PO might've been oblivious to details like that and it's seized from lack of. Might be cheaper and easier sourcing another engine compared to a full rebuild, depending on the damage done.
FWIW - I rebuilt an FJ engine once, I could have bought a brand new XJR1250 engine for what I ended up spending, I learned after the fact. Mine was in pretty bad shape though.
Quote from: SkyFive on September 20, 2015, 08:47:06 PM
FWIW - I rebuilt an FJ engine once, I could have bought a brand new XJR1250 engine for what I ended up spending, I learned after the fact. Mine was in pretty bad shape though.
Those must have been the good ol' days...
The current price of the XJR1250/1300 engine, without carbs is $6,435.00
Rebuilding is probably more economical again; depending on the rebuild that is...
Randy - RPM
This forum cracks me up. Thanks for the oil tip. I will definitely give it a try first. Not necessarily looking forward to doing a rebuild, but then again I can think of worse things to do. Only two drawbacks I see are 1.) I won't be able to ride it during the process (unless I put a temporary set of bike pedals on it) and 2.) if it really does wind up costing 6K+. Don't really see that happening though, but only because I don't have 6K to spend on it right now. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.
Tom
Just curious ,,how many miles on the fj?
What does an FJ with a seized engine cost?
It's been down at least once on the left side so it needs fairings. Frame is straight & suspension is a little limp but other than that it's a bone stock CA model with 50K on it. I got it delivered to my door for $300. For that price even my wife didn't want me to pass it up.
Someone was advertising a complete / rebuilt engine on our Classifieds section. I decided to wait / go a different route, but you might look into that. You could have a running bike with a tested / broken-in engine for a decent price that way.
Good luck.
Quote from: msgtwright on September 21, 2015, 08:20:52 AM
It's been down at least once on the left side so it needs fairings. Frame is straight & suspension is a little limp but other than that it's a bone stock CA model with 50K on it. I got it delivered to my door for $300. For that price even my wife didn't want me to pass it up.
Wow, good price Tom.
If you want ride now , get a used engine and then you can take your time with a rebuild. Lots of options for a rebuild ....like a big bore kit .
Since yours will not break loose try the soaking recommend already but it sounds like it melted down and will have scored cylinders.
What area are you located ? There may be a local member to assist.
It would be interesting to see what went south on this engine. (popcorn) Low/no oil - that's my guess.
Hey. Sorry for posting so late... had to work today. First, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for all of the support and enthusiasm. In my eyes part of what makes this bike so great are the owners. I'm located in Southern California (Moreno Valley). I have been toying with the idea of finding a running engine for a swap (really want to get riding again soon). Not sure I trust ebay though. Knowing there might be one available here, I will definitely keep my eyes open. I'm sure I will have many, many questions as I proceed. I will start by ordering a shop manual this week. I'll keep everyone posted as I go along and learn more. Thanks again for everyone's support.
Tom
Tom, good to know that we have one more SoCal FJowner. I am not too far away and may have some time to pay you a visit and possibly help you out. I am near the 210 FWY and the 2 (the awesome Angels Crest). I will be watching for your updates.
Nice to hear there is someone close by. We will have to get together as this progresses.
Tom
Hi all,
Well it took a while but I finally have the engine in pieces on the garage floor. Looks like the oil level switch got disconnected from the instrument cluster and the bike ran low of oil. I found a small hole in one of the exhaust valves on #1 cylinder. One exhaust valve on #2 cylinder was mushroomed. Has a fair amount of carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. Cylinder walls look in pretty good condition. No scoring that I can see. The #1 & #2 big end bearings were in the process of disintegrating and the #1 was the one that seized. Those two bearing surfaces are scored. The mains looked to be in good condition. All of the shrapnel seems to have stayed in the pan and didn't get circulated around. I also noticed some discoloration on the #1 connecting rod and on the crankshaft counterweight by the #1 connecting rod bearing journal. I haven't had time to check the engine to see if it is warped yet. I will try to get to that on Monday evening. Any words of wisdom are appreciated. I'm most concerned about the discoloration on the crank. I understand that the bearing surfaces can be ground if the crank is still straight and the scoring isn't too bad. But if the crank was overheated does it require replacement instead? Would love to hear everyone's opinions. Thanks Tom.
I'm most concerned about the discoloration on the crank from overheating at the #1 rod big end bearing. I understand that the bearing surfaces can be ground if the crank is still straight and the scoring isn't too bad. But if the crank was overheated does it require replacement instead? Also noticed that the engine doesn't have cam bearings. I was unaware of that. So does that mean if the camshaft journals are out of spec the whole head and camshafts have to be replaced? Would love to hear everyone's opinions. Thanks Tom.
Do you have any pictures?
That would allow us to see what you are seeing.
Randy - RPM
Quote from: msgtwright on September 20, 2015, 04:36:04 AM
Hi. Just picked up my first FJ. Been wanting one for years. This 89 1200 is not running. PO said ran to/from work daily (60 miles) until this month. Lost power on interstate and had to be trucked home. Now engine seems to be seized. My first question is how can I be for sure the engine is seized? I do not have much background working on engines but I am fairly knowledgeable and will finish whatever I start. Appreciate any help.
Thanks
Tom
Tom,
I own two FJ1200 1989 plus a K100RS 1989. The BMW has a wonderfull trasmission and a nice fuel injected engine. It feel like I have a ME 109! One of the FJ 1200 is giving me a few problems which I am working out. So even now I have some valuable experience such as:
1. Rejetting because of changing to individual air filters (what a difference)
2. Start problems due to start switch on handle bar needing cleaning (not a good design)
3. Various terminals corroded (changed them)
4. Starting problem (no fuel) (kinked fuel line)
5. Shifting could be better (I will change oil made for both engine and gearbox) Not car oil.
6. Headlight reflector is dull probably oxidized (I will see if I can polish it)
7. I will check the valve clearance and do the carb sync as I suspect the engine will really perfom better, less vibration.
8. Replaced instrument lens, both are cracked.
9. Leaking (not working) hydraulic clutch seal defective. There is a special way to bleed it. The seal (bottom) needs back pressure. Put a clamp on it.
Anyway, I will be glad to trade information. Remember, about 75% of the faults can be seen. Of course, you might have to take a cover off so that the fault is in view.
Sweden Bill e-mail william.white13@gmail.com
Quote from: msgtwright on November 07, 2015, 05:11:43 PM
I'm most concerned about the discoloration on the crank from overheating at the #1 rod big end bearing. I understand that the bearing surfaces can be ground if the crank is still straight and the scoring isn't too bad. But if the crank was overheated does it require replacement instead? Also noticed that the engine doesn't have cam bearings. I was unaware of that. So does that mean if the camshaft journals are out of spec the whole head and camshafts have to be replaced? Would love to hear everyone's opinions. Thanks Tom.
If it were me I'd wait for a parts bike that was crashed and drop in a complete engine. Just my .02.
The most expensive bike I ever owned I got for free.
I say cut your losses. Part this one out and go buy a running motorcycle. I'd think the frame w/title and the carbs should get your money back. Maybe keep some good spares (ignition stuff e.g.)
Otherwise you are going to have more in this rat than it is worth and you'll be wrenching when you could be riding.
Of course, you are the only person who knows what your time is worth and how you'd like to spend it.