03 RX1 expected engine life

[ReX]

LB, RedRX1 stated earlier that the seller says it burns a quart every 1000 miles.

Not horrible consumption, but bad enough to be annoying IMO.

One thing we haven't discussed in this thread is how a large percentage of oil burning 03's reduced or stopped burning oil with a Yamaha Ring Free or Yamaha Combustion Chamber Cleaner treatment.

Red, there are a few things that can allow a motor to burn oil. The most common are:
- worn rings
- stuck rings
- valve seals
- oil leak

On the 03's most of the time it seems to be stuck rings, followed by worn (or at least needing to be replaced) rings.

I'm fairly sure my 05's oil consumption was through the valve seals.

 

[shanksRX-1]

Boston RX1 and shanksRX-1, you're absolutely right. It is the oil use that proves that the rings are bad. What I was saying is that if you DON'T KNOW if its burning oil or not, or if you KNOW that it ISN'T, THEN you SHOULDN'T change the rings. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this thread is about advising RedRX1 if HE should buy a high mileage sled and immediatly change the rings without knowing if they're good or bad.

ic, I didnt mean to sound like I was saying to go get it and bring it home and take the engine down. Definately make sure the rings are bad before you change em. Rex brings up an excellent point. If the machine is burning oil, and your sure its burning it try some of the easy fix meathods first. You may just have a slightly stuck ring that could be taken care of with some ring free or even sea foam.

But to get back on topic I would say if you can get a good price on this machine buy it... Just because its burning a little oil dosnt mean your engine is on its way out. This engine with only 10,000 miles on it probly still has a ton of life left in it.

 

[Dano]

 

[rxwhopper]

A QUART OF OIL IN 1000 MILES, BIG DEAL IS IYT GONNA BREAK YA? NO!! I DON,T THINK I WOULD REBUILD A MILL FOR THAT.OOPS CAPS ARE ON sorry

 

[RedRX1]

So last week my daughter and I make the 8hr trek to get the sled. We drive all night, sleep 2 hr, and grab it at 6:00 in the morning, and drive home (hardly worth the hotel room). We were shot, a quick look and it seemed in good shape. We get it home and do a thorough clean and look over. Over all it looks well taken care for mechanically, but I notice a film of oil all over the seat and when I open the air box up, there is a lot of oil puddled up in it. To me it is obvious it is blowing a lot of oil, I'm guessing much more than a quart every thousand miles. I'm not upset with the seller, but I email him trying to get the "full scoop". I would like to know what the actual situation is, what he has tried, and what he thinks it will actually will need. I would like to "fix" it over the summer, not wait for winter to find out what it needs. I'm hoping it's a case for Sea Foam. I hope the guy bellies up and tells all. That way I can have it ready for my daughter next winter. I've had two of these sleds, like LB I run regular gas and use synthetic oil and have not had a problem.

 

[LazyBastard]

That could just mean it was tipped over on its left side. When tipped to the left, oil will flow freely out the breather.

 

[rxwhopper]

or its never been cleaned.aalthough mine doesnt have any oil blow out the breather and soesnt smoke aat all, mine uses some oil

 

[flyin-lowe]

1800 for rings! How much does it cost to get a new engine put in one of these sleds. I am new to the Yammi 4 stroke so I am just curious. Doesnt seem right that you could get a brand new engine for my 86 chevy truck cheaper then I could get rings put in the sled,

 

[rxwhopper]

i had a discussion with some bike guys around the phazer,they say that if the yzf250 or 450 motors go your lookin at more money to repair them then bike was worth new,pretty scarey,they say they just part out the bikes. at 11250 the phazer sounds pretty tapped out.but think about it. on your 03 you bought, i am sure you bought it cheap enough that if it uses some oil it isnt gonna kill ya, now if it were a high priced 05 that uses oil and no warranty that would make me sick.My 03 uses a bit and it upsets me a bit but hey its still way less then a 2 stroke.

 

[rxwhopper]

i was lookin on the parts fiche and found the 03-04 rings aare the same aas the bikes, the 05 rings aare for the rx-1 specifically, for some reason they changed somethin

 

[RedRX1]

Like I said, I'm not upset that it could have a problem, I would just like to have the guy come clean so I can spend the summer working on it. If I have to wait till winter to figure out what is wrong... well then I'll be very upset.

 

[snowsdog]

LB may be correct, I tipped mine on the left side last season what a mess!!! Cleaned it after every trip. I still have oil coming out of the foam pads and an oil film after every ride since. It is getting better but what a mess it makes. I only have a couple thousand miles on my 03 but no oil usage issues.

Good luck

 

[rxrider]

1800 for rings! How much does it cost to get a new engine put in one of these sleds. I am new to the Yammi 4 stroke so I am just curious. Doesnt seem right that you could get a brand new engine for my 86 chevy truck cheaper then I could get rings put in the sled,

That can't be right, or is it? I bought Wiseco pistons for my turbo at $575USD for a set of 4 with all rings and everything else included.

 

[RedRX1]

He must be talking of an installed price.

 

[rxrider]

RedRX1 - You're probably right. That was some labour cost tho.