Elite 89 SE50 Issues

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Tricky
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Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Tricky »

Hey Guys,

i was just doing my usual thing, heading home from work :coolcruise: , when there was a pressurized bang, and i lost power.
Got off the road, and tried to turn it back on again, it just wouldn't turn over and there was this popping noise as i attempted to start it.

Got home, took the sparkplug out and noticed that it looked like the piston had hit the bottom of the spark plug (which is extremely odd), so i respaced the spark plug and tried again. still same thing.

took the head off and saw that piston was cracked and badly damaged. so i replaced piston, head and rings.

so after that i tried to start it again, still same popping sound, and still will not start.

now i have no power getting the sparkplug, the lead is fine and all the cables.
(im guessing that my magnetos died on me)

The odd thing is that the spark plug is dry as a bone. And it WAS sparking before i took the head off.

Can anyone give me a hand?
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - 50% Repaired. It Died On Me YET AGAIN
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - Found at Dump, Picked Up For $25. Currently my spare parts :D
Needing help left, right and center.
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Wheelman-111
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

Based on the information you provided, something is amiss in the connection between your piston and your crankshaft or the crank itself has gone bad. Little or big-end con-rod bearing or the main bearings also could have failed. I can see no other way the piston could make contact with the plug.

Remove the cylinder again and test by pulling on the connecting rod up and down at TDC, BDC, and try to rattle the crank ends. You should be able to feel NO movement with your hands in these tests. If there is ANY palpable movement at all in these parts, the cases will need to come apart to R&R.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Tricky
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Tricky »

no movement whatsoever bud.
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - 50% Repaired. It Died On Me YET AGAIN
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - Found at Dump, Picked Up For $25. Currently my spare parts :D
Needing help left, right and center.
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Wheelman-111
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

Hmm, interesting. If the piston isn't rising higher in its bore than it should, why is it making contact with the plug?

Longer than stock plug? Lowered Deck Height due to omitted gasket(s)? Carbon biuld-up on the piston crown?

Glad to help if I can. Sorry you're having trouble.
.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Tricky
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Tricky »

i think it hit the top due to, the previous piston was pretty messed up, the pin that holds the piston head to the shaft of it had pushed right through to the top, and was sticking out. thats what i think caused it to hit the spark. once the new piston went in, it was fine.

and thanks, public transport sucks :(
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - 50% Repaired. It Died On Me YET AGAIN
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - Found at Dump, Picked Up For $25. Currently my spare parts :D
Needing help left, right and center.
User avatar
Wheelman-111
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings;

You said once the new piston went in "it was fine"? But you also said:
so after that i tried to start it again, still same popping sound, and still will not start.
I'm confused! The "popping sound" doesn't sound "fine". Based on this additional information, I'm led to suspect the con-rod's little end bearing is faulty. Or missing?

A crank seal failure, probably on the right, is a possible explanation for both issues.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Tricky
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Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:57 pm
Location: Darwin, Australia
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Tricky »

the popping sound has stayed since it broke down, i replace the piston, head n rings because i THOUGHT it would correct the issue. which it hasn't.
the seal under where the belt is, is fine. i cant get to the seal on the other side, due to i cant find a dang puller for the fly wheel.
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - 50% Repaired. It Died On Me YET AGAIN
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - Found at Dump, Picked Up For $25. Currently my spare parts :D
Needing help left, right and center.
User avatar
Wheelman-111
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Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Wheelman-111 »

Greetings:

You can sometimes get creative with a steering/harmonic balancer puller, or you can buy This Fee-Bay Thing
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Tricky
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Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:57 pm
Location: Darwin, Australia
Contact:

Re: Elite 89 SE50 Issues

Post by Tricky »

ok i FINALLY got the altenator off.
seal there is fine.

the engine still has a poping sound when i try power the elite on?

im lost. again.
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - 50% Repaired. It Died On Me YET AGAIN
- 1989 Honda Elite SE50 - Found at Dump, Picked Up For $25. Currently my spare parts :D
Needing help left, right and center.
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