Need to do the top end on my fe290

hanly2 · 03-29-2015, 09:31 AM

I need to fix a oil burning issue on my cart so I figured I would do the top end. Is it possible to do it with the motor in the cart? Should I wait till I have it apart before I order a ring kit in case it needs bored out?

lockman1 · 03-29-2015, 09:58 AM

That's kind of a tough call!
First off... are you sure that the oil is not overfilled? (a very common oversight!)

Yes you can pull the head with the engine in the cart.
Could it be a valve seal? yes, it could be!
Would it be rings? yes, it could be also!

You really won't know until you dive into it!

.02

hanly2 · 03-29-2015, 12:32 PM

I know its not overfilled, I was burning oil all last season, just getting it ready for this year. I want to do the head at least, if that doesn't work I can do the valve seals later. So is it ok to do the head with it in the cart? Or I can do the valve seals with the head I guess.

lockman1 · 03-29-2015, 12:49 PM

No... pull the head off of the engine!!! (but, with the engine still in the cart)
You won't accomplish much with the head still on the engine!

villebacker · 03-29-2015, 08:41 PM

I would be willing to bet it is your rings. My 1993 FE290 was also burning oil and smoking. I pulled the motor and replaced rings, gaskets and seals and now no burning oil. Very happy with the results. I didn't do anything to the head as I had done valves previously.

Probably should bite the bullet and pull motor and replace rings.

Pitbull Joe · 04-01-2015, 11:00 PM

Likely rings. But Lockman has pointed you in the right direction for a head pull.

hanly2 · 04-02-2015, 01:49 PM

I am def, going to pull the head, just need to find a video or a thread on it. and pressure wash in there first its too dirty to open it up.

Pitbull Joe · 04-02-2015, 08:25 PM

Here's a service manual that was given to me.

hanly2 · 04-10-2015, 05:24 PM

Ok I def. need to do the rings. I think I can get away with using the stock ones but is there a way to tell for sure? Also need some help pulling the motor, do I need to take the clutch off? I'd rather not as that was a pain in the but.

goldwinger · 04-10-2015, 05:54 PM

if you want to do it right you have to pull the engine and then the clutch so u can get the engine side cover off to get to the piston rod then remove the piston so you can at least hone the bore to scuff it up a little..then on putting it back together you will need new rings and side cover gasket and would get a new shaft seal while it is apart.i can not and will not say what size rings you need because i don't know the condition of your engine.it is your call.
As far as the head if the valve seats are not dropped you need to lap your valves.that easy to do

03-29-2015, 09:31 AM	#1
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109	Need to do the top end on my fe290 I need to fix a oil burning issue on my cart so I figured I would do the top end. Is it possible to do it with the motor in the cart? Should I wait till I have it apart before I order a ring kit in case it needs bored out?
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109

03-29-2015, 09:58 AM	#2
lockman1 What the ....? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.E. Wisconsin Posts: 14,931	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 That's kind of a tough call! First off... are you sure that the oil is not overfilled? (a very common oversight!) Yes you can pull the head with the engine in the cart. Could it be a valve seal? yes, it could be! Would it be rings? yes, it could be also! You really won't know until you dive into it! .02

03-29-2015, 12:32 PM	#3
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 I know its not overfilled, I was burning oil all last season, just getting it ready for this year. I want to do the head at least, if that doesn't work I can do the valve seals later. So is it ok to do the head with it in the cart? Or I can do the valve seals with the head I guess.
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109

03-29-2015, 12:49 PM	#4
lockman1 What the ....? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: N.E. Wisconsin Posts: 14,931	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 No... pull the head off of the engine!!! (but, with the engine still in the cart) You won't accomplish much with the head still on the engine!

03-29-2015, 08:41 PM	#5
villebacker Gone Wild Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Stephenville, TX Posts: 202	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 I would be willing to bet it is your rings. My 1993 FE290 was also burning oil and smoking. I pulled the motor and replaced rings, gaskets and seals and now no burning oil. Very happy with the results. I didn't do anything to the head as I had done valves previously. Probably should bite the bullet and pull motor and replace rings.

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04-01-2015, 11:00 PM	#6
Pitbull Joe Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Plant City, FL Posts: 2,212	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 Likely rings. But Lockman has pointed you in the right direction for a head pull.

04-02-2015, 01:49 PM	#7
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 I am def, going to pull the head, just need to find a video or a thread on it. and pressure wash in there first its too dirty to open it up.
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109

04-10-2015, 05:24 PM	#9
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 Ok I def. need to do the rings. I think I can get away with using the stock ones but is there a way to tell for sure? Also need some help pulling the motor, do I need to take the clutch off? I'd rather not as that was a pain in the but.
hanly2 Getting Wild Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 109

04-10-2015, 05:54 PM	#10
goldwinger Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 314	Re: Need to do the top end on my fe290 if you want to do it right you have to pull the engine and then the clutch so u can get the engine side cover off to get to the piston rod then remove the piston so you can at least hone the bore to scuff it up a little..then on putting it back together you will need new rings and side cover gasket and would get a new shaft seal while it is apart.i can not and will not say what size rings you need because i don't know the condition of your engine.it is your call. As far as the head if the valve seats are not dropped you need to lap your valves.that easy to do
goldwinger Gone Wild Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 314

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