1989 not running, possibly seized

msgtwright · 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

charleygofast · September 20, 2015, 10:56:10 AM

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.

racerrad8 · September 20, 2015, 11:05:57 AM

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

msgtwright · September 20, 2015, 05:50:59 PM

Thanks for the information. I will give that a try this afternoon.
Tom

msgtwright · September 20, 2015, 06:58:26 PM

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.

Arnie · September 20, 2015, 08:12:14 PM

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)

FJmonkey · September 20, 2015, 08:26:16 PM

I love the smell of Acetone in the morning...

Bones · September 20, 2015, 08:42:48 PM

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.

SkyFive · 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.

racerrad8 · September 20, 2015, 09:27:05 PM

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

msgtwright · September 21, 2015, 12:26:36 AM

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

Mark Olson · September 21, 2015, 01:08:43 AM

Just curious ,,how many miles on the fj?
What does an FJ with a seized engine cost?

msgtwright · 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.

Bill_Rockoff · September 21, 2015, 10:26:31 AM

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.

Mark Olson · September 21, 2015, 01:27:42 PM

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.

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1989 not running, possibly seized