4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 I want to start off that I searched but I couldn't find any topics directly related to my problem. On my last trip to the dunes I lost the left cylinder. I was heading back to camp with my daughter and a buddys nephew, I stopped to wait for them to catch up then when I went to take off I had half the power I had before so I limped back to camp. I thought maybe the plugs were fouled so I replaced them, didn't help. The left pipe was blowing cold and the right was hot so I swapped plug wires and the issue stayed with the left cylinder. At that point I parked it for the weekend. Let me back up a little. Over the weekend the bike got harder and harder to start (used to fire up after the first few kicks). I don't recall ridding hard before the bike lost 1/2 power, I was riding slower so my daughter and buddys nephew would be close. Nothing that I can think of would have led to an issue other than maybe sand getting in and blocking fuel. Thats what I assumed. Fast FWD to now. I thought that I would give spraying some carb cleaner in the carb while running (won't idle, had to keep on the throttle).. I removed the filters and sprayed in.. The right pipe was looking normal but the left looked really clean and only had the puffs from the carb cleaner.. The exhaust was cool on the left pipe. I noticed that the left carb was blowing out air/exhaust as I revved the engine. Compression was coming out of the left carb when I revved the engine (not the right at all). I shut it down, but both pipes were hot. I have my thoughts as to what it is, but I am looking for others input and advice before I start on the fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider1026 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Reeds broken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 It's a 1996 banshee, 4 mil w/a cool head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider1026 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Broken reeds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickedcarbine Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Time for new reeds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Reeds broken! Thank you for the response! I am a noob still so could you point me in the direction of what I need? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider1026 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 The reeds are between the carbs and the cylinder. Unbolt the Intake boots and everything will lift out. You will see the reeds. Do you have a clymers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 The reeds are between the carbs and the cylinder. Unbolt the Intake boots and everything will lift out. You will see the reeds. Do you have a clymers? Thanks thats helps a lot. I've wrenched on auto engines for years, but wrenching on my banshee is new to me and I appreciate the help. I'm not sure what clymers are?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheerider1026 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 It's a manual. Just like a manual for a car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 It's a manual. Just like a manual for a car I don't have one. I will get one. Do you have a preference on which brand to go for on reeds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strm Trpr Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Here's a Clymers Manual. http://www.farmandsandtoys.com/partdetail.asp?partid=172 Just like said above, the reed cages are between the cylinders and the carb intake boots. Before you go tearing into it, you can remove the left carb and let it hang over the frame. Shine a flashlight in thru the intake boot and look at the reed pedals. Chances are the left cylinder reed pedal(s) are broken. If the reed cages are stock, then you can get a set of these and be on your way cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boyesen-Power-Reeds-YAMAHA-YFZ350-BANSHEE-1987-2006-REED-/400570100168 Since you have a 4mil stroker and these are good for some pretty decent horsepower gains over the V-Force 3's, you might want to give these a shot. They're not as cheap as just swapping out the reed pedals on stock cages, but you'll feel the difference over stock, guaranteed... http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-V-FORCE-4-REED-VALVE-SYSTEM-BANSHEE-87-06-/121159970663?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c35b26f67&vxp=mtr 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salmon_slayer06 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Make sure you use cometic rubber coated metal gaskets to seal those reeds/manifold back to the cylinder. Its a common area to leak air and run the motor lean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4overbanshee Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thanks will do! I appreciate all the help thus far. I will tear into the bike shortly (turbo upgrade on my truck first).. I am wanting to get it ready for next season with moderate riding ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jereme6655 Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Since you've worked on auto engines for some time......reed "valves" on a 2 stroke are the literal comparison to valves in a 4 stroke motor. Different is.....they are a spring loaded flap......its intent is to let air/fuel pull the reed open using vacuum to suck the air/fuel charge in....and on a 2 stroke since there is exhaust back-pressure/reverb.....when the pressure comes back due to the exhaust.....the reeds are meant to snap shut and be held shut by the pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starwriter Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Before you tear it apart, do a leakdown test. You never know what some hacktard that built the motor did. If it passes leakdown, then replace your reeds and do a leakdown test to make sure your reed gaskets aren't leaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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