Workhorse 350 Robin Rebuild/Rehab Project

Rocketmp

Hi All! newbie to the site. Scored this 2000 Workhose with Robin 350cc engine needing a bag of work.

Decided to start with the engine as is smokes an intolerable amount. It belonged to my family so i have some history and know it was run like this for a long time. Now that I have it I want to make it right. Engine tear down complete. I really expected to find damage but so far only scaring on one rod and an EXHAUST VALVE PORT FULL OF CARBON (see pic). What would cause 1/2" of build up??. Ive been suspecting the head being the cause of the smoking since the bottom and top end look good.

I have all rebuild parts and plan to measure internal components and to replace what's needed inside. I believe i have a good rebuildable unit and want to get it right on the 1st shot.

Working on the head today lapping in new valves and somehow cleaning the ports. THROW SOME INFO AND GOOD ADVICE MY WAY.

THANKS!!!

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StoveBolt

Burnt oil causes carbon, could be a broken ring, could be running it with too much oil, did you do a compression test before tearing it down?

and welcome to the site, I'm sure someone here can help.

CP241

Welcome!

The excessive carbon buildup in the exhaust valve port is from burning oil. The longer its run while it is smoking, the more buildup there will be. I got a club car that smoked so bad for so long it's almost completely blocked off!

These engines are pretty bulletproof. A stuck or broken oil control ring will make it smoke like a train but it will still run great. No problem as long as it doesnt run OUT of oil!

Fair warning, dont be surprised if it still smokes a good bit after the rebuild. Theres probably a lot of unburnt oil in the exhaust. Theres 2 cures for this... 1. Run it until it clears up. This could take week, months, or years depending on how much you drive it and how lomg.its been smoking. Or 2. BBQ the muffler and exhaust pipe. I would recommend #2. I use an old fire pit. Basically surround the muffler and exhaust with smaller (2" or so) logs. Light it up and let it burn until the logs are gone. After about 5-10 minutes you'll see smoke start to pour out of the muffler. Shortly after that it will turn into a flame thrower. Then back to smoke and then it will clear up. Bolt it back on, run it hard.for a couple minutes to blow out the soot and it's as good as new, usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, again depending on how bad it is

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Rocketmp

my patience wouldn't allow me too order a comp gauge and wait for a cheap China too to give me bad readings (Sorry China Rant Over). I know I should have but had it in my mind I wanted to tear it apart either way. Glad I did the 1/2" of sludge in the bottom end was worth it. I knew it had never been maintained and had Lucas oil treatment poured in (The Sludge DONT USE Lucas cheap fix!)

Scrapped and dremeled out the exhaust ports and lapped in new valves, ready for reassembly.

Heres The mess!

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Rocketmp

Thanks for the info on the muffler, I was wondering how to deal with that after I noticed it was dripping oil and a new one is 300$ I will certainly try roasting some weinies on it!

Also I have big plans to rehab the cart with a canopy, new black seats, new wheels and tires, front rack and windshield I'm sure the sickness won't end there so please stay tuned and help with finding parts, specifically the rear canopy supports as they seam different than the non workhorse model.

CP241

Looks like fun!

Theres lots of knowledgable folks on here that can help. Pretty much anything you could think or want to do, someone here has probably already done :)

The club car muffler in that picture smoked for 10 minutes and then blew flames out both ends for another 30. Then smoked for another 10, I blew compressed air into it and got another flame show lol. Then pulled it out and let it sit on concrete for a few hours. Bolted it back in and no more smoke. Been perfect ever since

Rocketmp

Thats Awesome! The 1st cart I ever messed with was an 83 electric Club Car we found in the weeds. Pumped up the lumpy tires, wired in 3 12v batteries (2 motorcycle and one car) and the dang thing took off! We couldn't believe it. Looked just like the one in your photo, Friend and I had more fun with that (he still has it 10 years later ) than we ever did with any expensive toy

trig123

Good job. I like to see people rebuild these engines and not buy rebuilt ones. They are simple engines. Don't drop anything small in that sink

Did you buy new intake valves ?

CP241

Lol the one in my photo is an 86 yamaha I picked up about a week ago, we used a mule to pull it out of that hole. I believe it sat there for about 10 years... 3 of the 4 tires pumped up enough to easily roll it on the trailer and let the resurrection begin. We drove that one a good 9 or 10 miles on it today :)

I've pulled some pretty dumpy rigs from the weeds. That's the fun of it :)

Rocketmp

Thats a sweet find and tons of fun when they start running again im sure Not knowing any better im guessing that's a 2 stroke and you are happy its smoking again! lol