Objects found inside engine.

C

Cbone

Active Member
Hey guys, I pulled off the side cover of my engine today to polish it and found a few things hanging out under the filter on on the lower right side.

If you have a look at the images, I think most of the black stuff is a ground up rubber. but there was also what looked what might have been a metal gasket

I know very little about the inside components of the engine but i am guessing these things shouldn't be floating around.

Can anyone identify these items from the pics and tell me the effects of them being removed.

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I see possibly part of an oil ring, part of the cam chain tensioner I think.... yeah shouldn't be floating around.
 
VonYinzer said:
Yikes... Time to tear the motor down for a full inspection and rebuild. Sorry fella.
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Well VonYinzer, I guess there is even less of a rush on those lower forks now. hahah.

Honestly speaking what skill level do you need to rebuild one of these small engines? I have never done anything like this before but I would consider myself to be decently handy.
 
Take your time, make sure you have the proper tools and you should be good. The 350 motor is pretty simple for a four stroke. There is a TON of info out there about the motor and how to rebuild it. Find yourself a proper shop manual as well. Run into issues and we'll get ya through it.
 
VonYinzer said:
Take your time, make sure you have the proper tools and you should be good. The 350 motor is pretty simple for a four stroke. There is a TON of info out there about the motor and how to rebuild it. Find yourself a proper shop manual as well. Run into issues and we'll get ya through it.
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Sounds good! I will work on getting the motor out tonight,

@frogman thanks you were right on the money these are exactly what i pulled out.

tensioner%20parts.jpg
 
350s are known to chew up the factory tensioners, just not as engine ending say say as a 360 is. Plenty of after market replacements though that are much better than stock.
 
Not everybody can build engines. I see a lot of people get talked into doing it themselves here, and there are a ton of unfinished engine threads. In fact almost every "should I do it myself" engine rebuild question is met with "sure you can do it!" That may sound like the polite thing to say but the fact is that not everyone can do it and do it right. Sometimes you should just pay a professional. Either way good luck and keep us posted.
 
DohcBikes said:
Not everybody can build engines. I see a lot of people get talked into doing it themselves here, and there are a ton of unfinished engine threads. In fact almost every "should I do it myself" engine rebuild question is met with "sure you can do it!" That may sound like the polite thing to say but the fact is that not everyone can do it and do it right. Sometimes you should just pay a professional. Either way good luck and keep us posted.
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The main reason most people abandon their engine rebuilds is simple. They get to a point where they become stuck and frustration runs its course. These engines are really quite simple. Anyone with basic mechanical knowledge and the correct tools can do the job as long as they have the wherewithal to see it through. Telling him that it's possible to do the work himself is not only polite, but accurate. Maybe you could offer some assistance since you have so many years of experience. Worst case scenario the OP gives it his best and decides down the road to allow a pro to finish it. No harm no fowl really.
 
I also build engines for money so its tough for me to just tell people how to do it. Even so, I do watch the threads and when stuff gets really stuck, i find ways to help. Usually by asking the o.p. to help themself.

Not just anybody can do it. That's a fact.

A professional engine builder with experience is not likely to cut you a break when you bring him an engine half built. Personally when that happens I take them apart again, and INEVITABLY find mistakes that would shorten the life of the engine.

It is my professional opinion. You don't have to agree.
 
I get your point and I don't completely disagree . But this is a forum centered on the DIY. These aren't jet engines. These aren't modern FI, computer controlled marvels of engineering and design. These are engines that were basically designed in the 50s and 60s.

Patience, a proper factory manual and the right tools are 90% of the job.

Again, though I kind of maybe get your point... If you're reluctant to help because you're a "pro" and folks are beneath you or just possible future customers I wholly disagree with it.
 
At the end of the day my opinion doesn't matter. It's up to the OP to decide what they feel they're capable of.
 
It has nothing to do with anything you mentioned, which is ironic.

The reason I dont tell them much is because too many people mess up their own bikes. The ratio of finished DIY engines to unfinished is very unbalanced, and I am providing a service by at least telling them to consider a pro. They deserve to know that many times this ends with a basket case.

Yes, it is his decision. A finished project depends on intensity and perseverance.
 
DohcBikes said:
Not everybody can build engines. I see a lot of people get talked into doing it themselves here, and there are a ton of unfinished engine threads. In fact almost every "should I do it myself" engine rebuild question is met with "sure you can do it!" That may sound like the polite thing to say but the fact is that not everyone can do it and do it right. Sometimes you should just pay a professional. Either way good luck and keep us posted.
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Well there is no doubt that not everyone has the determination or the desire to build engines. With little experience, it is definitely a daunting prospect. Dissuading anyone for those reasons is - well to be blunt, ignorant. Yes, some folks just can't struggle through a task that overwhelms them and without some help, are forced to abandon their task. If you think this is you - take dohc's good advice. A hand up is all most people need to excel if they have the desire to go with it. I know this to be true because most of my career has been traveling around the world to do jobs "nobody else would take" and hiring local folks with no experience to do things they never dreamed they would ever do. I have seen people that I could barely communicate with (I only speak English - but I am pretty good at drinking - the universal language - learn that and you can travel successfully anywhere!) do work that would shame some of the most elite the US can muster that when they started with me didn't even know how to read a tape measure.

To the OP, I say IF YOU ARE GAME TO SEE IT THROUGH, YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE. There are some really helpful and knowledgeable people around here, and I just know you will have all the help you need if you decide to jump in head first. I am no engine guy myself, but I have done enough to know a little perseverance and a bit of help will likely get you a better result that you can get from most "professionals. Remember "professional" only means you are getting paid - not that you care to do a good job or even know what you are doing. There are some incredible pros out there in every field, but a determined man (with a little help) can embarrass other 90% of "the pros" every time.
 
jpmobius said:
Well there is no doubt that not everyone has the determination or the desire to build engines. With little experience, it is definitely a daunting prospect. Dissuading anyone for those reasons is - well to be blunt, ignorant. Yes, some folks just can't struggle through a task that overwhelms them and without some help, are forced to abandon their task. If you think this is you - take dohc's good advice. A hand up is all most people need to excel if they have the desire to go with it. I know this to be true because most of my career has been traveling around the world to do jobs "nobody else would take" and hiring local folks with no experience to do things they never dreamed they would ever do. I have seen people that I could barely communicate with (I only speak English - but I am pretty good at drinking - the universal language - learn that and you can travel successfully anywhere!) do work that would shame some of the most elite the US can muster that when they started with me didn't even know how to read a tape measure.

To the OP, I say IF YOU ARE GAME TO SEE IT THROUGH, YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE. There are some really helpful and knowledgeable people around here, and I just know you will have all the help you need if you decide to jump in head first. I am no engine guy myself, but I have done enough to know a little perseverance and a bit of help will likely get you a better result that you can get from most "professionals. Remember "professional" only means you are getting paid - not that you care to do a good job or even know what you are doing. There are some incredible pros out there in every field, but a determined man (with a little help) can embarrass other 90% of "the pros" every time.
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You can imply all you want. Facts are facts. A majority of DIY motorcycle engine projects are not finished. Many people lack the skills. Rhetoric won't build it.

Never did I attempt to dissuade. Just providing facts for pondering before committing, as should be done by anyone that has the experience to share. You can keep writing paragraphs to argue, I am not opposing so it just won't go anywhere. I built more than 20 engines last year alone with no failures. There is a reason some people get paid to do this, just like there is a reason some people get paid to do whatever it is you get paid to do.
 
Hey guys, first off i appreciate all your opinions and feedback. DohcBikes don't worry I don't take any offence and I halfway agree with what you are saying and honestly the thought of paying someone to rebuild the engine did cross my mind and i have not 100% ruled it out but at the end of the day what is the fun in that. There is a something that really excites me about taking on challenges like this. I figure I will give it a go and if at some point I get stuck and just can't get past the jam I will take it in and get a pro to do it up.

You mentioned you did 20 builds last year out of curiosity what does an avg rebuild cost ( if there is such a thing as avg. )
 
There is no average whatsoever, the parts needed can vary widely from build to build. Generally I am building engines designed for track use and that is another story. I also have never rebuilt your model of engine. There are others here that can give you a better estimate.

The cost to meticulously rebuild the engine can far exceed the value of many motorcycles.
 
anyone else have any experience paying someone to rebuild your 350 motor? Looking for a rough cost.

I would also like to get some opinions on how much cash I should budget doing the rebuild myself.
 
Cbone said:
anyone else have any experience paying someone to rebuild your 350 motor? Looking for a rough cost.

I would also like to get some opinions on how much cash I should budget doing the rebuild myself.
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Again it depends on what the engine needs. Asking for a rough cost can be akin to expecting the best case scenario. Without measuring and inspection, and knowledge of parts availability, its a really hard thing to estimate. But yes hopefully we have some here that can share their 350 experiences.
 
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