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Got a Problem, Help with Diagnosis


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Here is what it's doing. Very hard to start and when it finally does, it won't idle without stalling and is backfiring from the right pipe. The bike ran like a raped ape up until this. I think I smoked a head gasket as I was riding on a small piece of land mostly putting around. I would get on it every now and then for short bursts. It was fine until I did a second gear burnout on asphalt. About 3-5 seconds into the burnout it stalled and that's when the problems started. Also, when it does eventually fire, the pipes get hot VERY quickly along with the radiator.

 

Guesses?

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do a comression test, sounds like your in for a build. trip off the top end, send it to get boredand get some new pistons, test the stator, and give the carbs a good cleanin, hopefully the new gaskets will help if you had a air leak :cheers:

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10 to 1 says you've got really bad compression on that right side thats backfiring. Get a compression tester, everyone should have one. They arent that expensive and are a valuable tool in telling whats going on inside your engine/how reliable it is.

 

It'll sit at a compression for a good long time, and when it starts falling, your engine is wearing out. (without other variables going on (leaks etc).

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I did have a compression tester, actually 2. You would think I wouldn't have lent the second one out after a friend who borrowed the first one broke it but... :wacko:

 

Anyway, I dropped the Banshee off at a local ATV shop to have them look at it. Being a single dad, I really don't have the time to play with the Banshee (along with my race car). I told them to take it apart and let me know what's wrong with it BEFORE they fix it. I'll let you guys know what the problem is as soon as find out. I am leaning towards a fresh top end. The engine has never been apart since new (2001) and has been ridden hard by a couple previous owners who didn't take the proper care for the quad (i.e. no maintainence).

 

Stay tuned...

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I dropped the Banshee off at a local ATV shop to have them look at it.

This is a #1 NO-NO!!!!! NEVER take your bike to the dealer. Not even for warranty repair..... They are MORONS. My apologies go out to the select FEW who may be a worthwhile mechanic at a shop. BUT, the norm is, at the local dealership, not a one of them is worth a piss..... I know what you say about not having time, as I have none myself. I have been out to ride all of 5 times this year. Pretty pathetic on my part. Anyways, I am willing to bet you had some piston damage on the right side..... And you could have done this yourself for a minimal fee, and not alot of time... A top end can be done in about 3 hours out of your time. Not including running the cylinders to the machine shop of course....

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I gotta throw in my 2 cents, I agree that it sounds like the topend is toast, but boonman is dead on; why take it to a shop? I mean, you've obviously got the tools and abilities judging by your sig, and yeah time is against all of us but hey, you could do the topend with your son/daughter and both learn a few things...

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The shop owner is a close personal friend of mine, so it's just like having a buddy help with a project. It's not like I am paying an arm and a leg at a big dealership. Just throwing my friend a bone more or less. Yes, I certainly have the skills and the tools to do such a simple job. My son and I do quite a bit together, especially with the race car and such. I also have a big commute to and from work that kills most of the evening after work. The quad will get done much quicker this way besides the fact I'm also helping out a friend with giving him work. I plan on a complete engine overhaul next year and just wanted to get through the rest of this year on the stock engine. I have big plans for the 'shee engine-wise and that's when my son and I will built it together.

 

Anyway, a compression test revealed the right cylinder with 40psi and the left side with 120psi. The right side is shot. The question that will be answered tomorrow after it's torn down is how bad and if it needs to be bored. If it's a matter of the rings being fused to the piston, I may be able to just re-ring a new piston on the left side and be done. If the left cylinder was below 100psi, I would probably opt to do both, but being that 120psi is not that bad considering the beating this bike was given and that I will be going all out with it next year anyway. I may just "band aid" it for now and do her up right next year.

Edited by TurbochargedOne
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I just went through the same thing. I have a 2001 that would not idle and kept backfiring out of the right side. I finally did a compression test and the right side was at 60 and the left side was at 120. When I started tearing it apart the check out the topend I noticed the rubberboot for the boost bottle had a big tear in it on the right side, I took of the head and the right dome was all pitted where a piece if the top ring broke off.

I had it bored .20 over and put in vito superstock pistons. It runs so good now. I love running on two cylinders again :clap:

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Post mortem shows I melted a ring in the right cylinder. Both bores look excellent. A new piston and rings in the right jug and she will be as good as new again. This is a BIG relief considering the carnage could have been MUCH worse.

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