2002 TXT Low Compression

[mikesmotortoys]

Like I asked before - where are you located?

[scottyb]

Low compression is a symptom doc. The cause is a worn engine. Yes rings hold compression at the cylinder walls .... but much more is involved in restoring compression than replacing the rings. The motor has run for many hours to wear the rings and cylinder walls out. The valves have opened and closed a zillion times. They are worn and tired too. The crank has turned in its bearings and the connecting Rods have done a lot of up and down movement impulsed by explosion on their journals....... What Mike is trying to say is when it is time to refresh a 4 stroke ... it is time to take a good long look at everything if you care to have the rebuild last a good long time like the orig
Hope this helps

[posner]

I am in California. I'm just going to tear it down I guess and if I screw it up I will buy a new one; at least these things are cheap to fix.

[posner]

Thanks for your response I appreciate it. I am going to tear it down stepwise and go through it to see what needs to be replaced. It sounds like dropping a new motor in may just be simpler(though not as fun) I just wanted a cart to cruise around the pits at our sons motocross races without having to tear it down and modify the hell out of it like I usually do.

I didnt mean to sound bitter about the whole thing. I guess I was trying to liken it to my job. If I sent every headache patient out for an $1800 MRI without at least asking a few questions and ruling out things that are easy to cross off the list, I would have alot of pissed off patients.

Originally Posted by scottyb

Low compression is a symptom doc. The cause is a worn engine. Yes rings hold compression at the cylinder walls .... but much more is involved in restoring compression than replacing the rings. The motor has run for many hours to wear the rings and cylinder walls out. The valves have opened and closed a zillion times. They are worn and tired too. The crank has turned in its bearings and the connecting Rods have done a lot of up and down movement impulsed by explosion on their journals....... What Mike is trying to say is when it is time to refresh a 4 stroke ... it is time to take a good long look at everything if you care to have the rebuild last a good long time like the orig
Hope this helps

[mikesmotortoys]

Sellers will tell you what you want to hear. Try a compression test yourself 1st! 2nd - try to adjust the valves yourself at .004" and re check compression. These are VERY IMPORTANT steps to look at before you pull the motor and start a tear down.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by mikesmotortoys

Sellers will tell you what you want to hear. Try a compression test yourself 1st! 2nd - try to adjust the valves yourself at .004" and re check compression. These are VERY IMPORTANT steps to look at before you pull the motor and start a tear down.

I agree 150% Good advice Mike!

[mikesmotortoys]

Do the tests and valve adjustments first, though. If the cart doesn't smoke / burn oil, then the compression issue is probably in the head / valves... If it's a smoker, then I'd bet on the rings / cylinder...

[posner]

Fantastic! THanks so much for your advice I will do as you have suggested. I sincerely appreciate your time