seized then magically unseized-connecting rod

[1984 honda 200s]

Hello, so a couple months back i had seized the connecting rod in my only 3wheeler- 200s... well i took it all appart and was going to scrap it.. well just tonite i said ahh why not.. i took a rubber hammer and taped the top of the connecting rod and it magically unseized! .. now im wondering.. why did it seize in the first place?.. it had plenty of oil in it.. and i wasnt hard on it... Also would this be good to run again or should i continue in scrapping it? Its still a little bit stiff i find.. it turns easy and doesnt have any play what so ever( side to side).. but when pushing the rod by hand its kinda tough.. but when you gently pull on the starter it spins no problem. what do ya'll think?

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Your kidding, right? Relace the rod and bearring, its a no brainer! You run it like that again, and it will last for 5 minutes, except this time the rod will break and throw through the bottom of the cases. If you asked this question seriously, you are probly not the guy to do the engine rebuilding.

[1984 honda 200s]

ohh its a no brainer? im probably not the guy to do the engine work even tho i rebuilt it. But i should get someone to put a rod and bearing in it anyway. I was told by a 30+yr mechanic that if i was able to unseize it, it would be good to go as long as i didnt break the rings on the piston when it seize up... it does move freely...So 1 against 1, if i hear ''replace the rod and bearing'' again then i'll do it, just wasnt sure, thats why theres a HELP button on here..

[Chazz of Blades]

Remember, it DID seize, and it seized for a REASON. It didn't just change it's mind about being free, find out what that reason it first. Changing the rod bearing couldn't hurt, but the rod could had bent a bit if it seized hard.

[big red in iowa]

it seized for a reason, ive worked on diesel trucks for the past 15 years, cuttin corners does nothing but cause extra headaches that coulda been prevented if fixed right the first time

[Chazz of Blades]

There's a saying. "Do it right the first time, or kick your own ass later."

[Dirtcrasher]

It's not a "no brainer", it obviously needs some TLC. I wonder if just the cam had seized up? Low oil does that to the honda aluminum journal surfaced heads......

I wouldn't scrap it if you enjoy it, there are lots of guys on the board that sell stuff cheap.

[1984 honda 200s]

yeah i know it seized for a reason, and the reason being i have no idea ! One day i took it up to the gas station to fill up.. when i got there (10mins away) it made a knocking noise, so i shut it off and checked the oil, it was full. SO i restarted it and it was alright.. but had no power what so ever, when i got it home it started to make a terrible knocking noise when it was ideling..then it went CLUNK and i couldnt pull it over.. so same day i removed the engine and tore into it, i took the head off and tryed to pull it over and noticed the rod wasnt moving. so i was going to scrap it.
But just tonite after a month, i played with it a bit and gave it a tapp with a hammer and it moved freely, i was shocked. it moves soo freely and doesnt have any play. I have no idea why it just seized up like that.

[KASEY]

check the cam and head,,, and REPLACE CRANK!!! IT CERTIANLY IS A NO BRAINER.... how far do you think your going on the next ride before it does it again???? wanna push it home? just fix it right,,,,,,, besides there is a big difference between spinning it by hand and 4000 RPM'S!!!!

[1984 honda 200s]

ok, that was my thought as well, when it heats up is it going to seize again? it did the first time ! THE OIL WAS GOOD!- IT WAS MARKING AT THE TOP LINE- and i think with my dip stick on the bikes.
What do i have to do to remove the crank? is it easier from the left side cover or the right side or both?...checking manual as we speak.... do i need a puller for anything? fly wheel yeah i already had it off more than once.. what else?

[just ben]

first off don't scrap anything. either fix it or sell it to someone that will or part it as a last resort to keep other trikers goin. that being said it really doesnt matter that the oil was full or good, it's 27 years old.they don't run forever.the cheapest and easiest way if you wanna fix it would be to finding a running engine to replace it with. sounds likeit was the lower rod bearing that failed in which case 9+ out of ten times the crank will need to be turned and will need to use an undersized bearing

[tri again]

200s?
I have 4 or 5 good ones.
Ran great and got parked when we discovered full suspension trikes.

You can have one free for shipping.

[Chazz of Blades]

See there kiddos? The Good Doctor is at it again with the day saving.

[fabiodriven]

What do i have to do to remove the crank? is it easier from the left side cover or the right side or both?...checking manual as we speak.... do i need a puller for anything? fly wheel yeah i already had it off more than once.. what else?

Yeah, ummmm, this may not be the job for you to attempt judging by what you're asking...

[RID3R]

If you were going to scrap it, I say go for it yourself. It needs a rebuild either way..When its all said and done you may learn a thing or two...

[just ben]

Yeah, ummmm, this may not be the job for you to attempt judging by what you're asking...that's why I suggested a complete running engine. almost anyone could handle swapping

[Xpress]

What Fabio says:


Yeah, ummmm, this may not be the job for you to attempt judging by what you're asking...

Look around for another engine, the big production trikes often have lots of parts for them. OR pay to have your engine rebuilt.. You might get a little bit of cash for it from someone who wants it to rebuild it too..

[1984 honda 200s]

So far ive done the all the work on this trike myself with no help what so ever from family or friends. thay all told me you'll never get it running and i should sell if because its a P.O.S.. i shocked the hell of of them a couple days later when i flew down the road with it with no problems. I put 4500klms on my trx200 atv in 1 year and i dont use the quad everyday, i always used to use my 3wheeler EVERYDAY, the lad i bought it off of said i put more miles on it then all the other owners combined. Changed crank saft seal,stator coil, new wire harness, axle bearings, tires, gas tank, top end freshened up, i did it all myself. But for the crank yes, its too big of a job for a kid thats 19 with minimum experience(my 200s, brothers 185 that i rebuilt from left over parts and my neighbours 200m). I'll just search for another free rolling bottom end, and use mine for parts. Thanks anyways

[fabiodriven]

Another way to think about it is, if the thing's lunched anyways, why not rip into it I suppose? Maybe get yourself a manual and take a peek?

[1984 honda 200s]

I do have a bottom end for parts thats in terrible shape, i was thinking to remove the crank from it since its still useable and learn something in the process. The one i seized was in very good condition, didnt leak oil anywhere and everything was tight. Maybe.. remove the 2 cranks and see what one would be better off rebuilding? I have a manual i got from a user on here, and i recently got one from a buddy that i bought parts off of for my bros 185. No shortage of help including here.

[Swinger]

Thats how I learned is just do it. Well I did everything but the rod and bearing kit in mine but that is one thing I didnt want messed up cause it could do some major damage. Sometimes just gotta trust your gut!! What do you think you should do?? You got a few options

[just ben]

like fabio said if it is junk anyway it is a good learning tool and if yo fail you will still have spare parts. your age and experiance has no bearing on capabilities. I rebuilt my first engine at 13 without a manual,although it was probably the most basic 2 stroke ever made(sach's 290 one lunger) that gave me the confidence to not be afraid to tear into a motor or anthing else that I may not be totally familiar with.

[RID3R]

Sorry, had to do it.


If you were going to scrap it, I say go for it yourself. It needs a rebuild either way..When its all said and done you may learn a thing or two...

[1984 honda 200s]

BUMP
So i just found a complete 200 motor for sale, its one of my buddies selling it. He says its in good shape.. new rings for it, was running when in frame. He wants 100 for it.... SCORE ?
All said and done i'll have a top end and 2 bottom ends for parts, i think im going to jump on it !

[just ben]

if it runs it will keep you going until you can do a proper rebuild on an engine