Cleaning crank case - need to split it???

[Guest]

Gentlemen,
I'm tearing the engine apart and plan to clean/lap the valves, degunk the pistons, rehone, etc. I'd like to clean the crank case with a solvent (or something) before reassembly but wasn't sure if the only way to do this effectively is to split it and pull its guts out. Ideas???

This is where she stands as of last night.


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[cowboyup3371]

Remove the hinge pins from each piston, be sure to replace the circlips (I have some if you want), scrape off the old gasket, clean up real well around the outside of the case and tops of the pistons, check everything using the Suzuki manual, and you should be good.

Take a look through my project thread as I discussed a lot of that as I was working on mine.

[koolaid_kid]

If you truly wish to clean out the crank case area, yes, you would need to split the cases.
However, unless the transmission imploded or a piston exploded there is not really a need to do so.
Do as cowboyup suggests and you will be GTG.

[TheDuke]

Here is the issue, when I removed the jugs some corrosion from one of the studs fell into #2. Not sure the best way to flush it out. A neighbor recommended diesel.

[blowerbike]

hinge pins

[TheDuke]

Ah what?


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[OriginalOwner]

Wrist pins?

Hey Duke, how'd ya get that cam chain to stand straight up like that?

How bout trying to wash the crap out the crankcase using some motor oil? Splitting cases sucks -- actually the physical splitting part is kinda fun, it's the voyage there and back that sucks.

[cowboyup3371]

Hinge Pins, Wrist Pins, he knew what I meant....

[koolaid_kid]

I realize it is too late, but put this in your lessons learned column:
Next time, stuff the crank with rags to prevent this from happening and to support the pistons as you work on them.

[TheDuke]

Hey Duke, how'd ya get that cam chain to stand straight up like that?

I just used a bungee cord attached to a hook in the ceiling...like a boss.

[TheDuke]

I realize it is too late, but put this in your lessons learned column:
Next time, stuff the crank with rags to prevent this from happening and to support the pistons as you work on them.

I went ahead and stuffed it after pulling it apart, the debris fell in as I pulled off the jugs. I suppose will probably just grab some cheap oil and pour it in and slosh it around. It wasn't anything metallic or too destructive, fingers crossed.

[koolaid_kid]

I would first use a shop vac to try and suck everything out that it can reach. A crevice attachment might help if you have one.
And yeah, you have to stuff it with rags as the cylinder block is raised but not removed.

[TheDuke]

Grr...yeah, good life lesson I suppose. I'm just glad it isn't a tragic mistake. I will work on tidying it up when I get home tonight, thanks for the help fellas.

[tkent02]

Just curious, why did you take the engine apart?

[TheDuke]

One reason was 75 psi in #2 and exhaust smoke which could have been a simple valve adjustment. Really though, I wanted the experience of tearing it down, cleaning it up, rebuilding the beast, and learning as I go.