low compression... another rabbit hole
- Wookie58
-
- Offline
- Moderator
- Posts: 4555
- Thanks: 2699
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
03 Oct 2024 16:27
A leak test takes the guesswork out of the equation (if you trust the compression readings you have)
1982 KZ1000 Ltd
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/617631...-82-begins?start=192
kzrider.com/filebase-alias?view=download...d-fault-diagnosis&ca
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/617631...-82-begins?start=192
kzrider.com/filebase-alias?view=download...d-fault-diagnosis&ca
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Nessism
-
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- Posts: 7558
- Thanks: 2917
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
03 Oct 2024 18:19
As long as the engine fires up and runs, I would put some good hard miles on it. Come back in a couple thousand miles, double check the valves and compression then. With the clearances at the minimum, you need to watch close. Often times, bikes coming out of storage will have poor compression, which improves with usage.
And BTW, the photo of the tensioner posted is the later 750 style. Some 1980's have the old style 650 tensioner, but my 1981 had the never type.
And BTW, the photo of the tensioner posted is the later 750 style. Some 1980's have the old style 650 tensioner, but my 1981 had the never type.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- KeylAmi!
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Engineer with anxiety
- Posts: 74
- Thanks: 46
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
05 Oct 2024 13:12
Updates!
soaked the cylinders in marvel mystery oil overnight, twice. Bought new compression tester. Also built leakdown tester.
engine cold:
cylinder 1: 130+
cylinder 2: 110
cylinder 3: 120
cylinder 4: 120
leakdown shows it’s all in the rings.
I confirmed by putting a tiny amount of oil in the cylinders and retesting. And by tiny, I mean not enough to even cover the piston.
with oil, all 4 are approx 150-160.
I think this confirms that the rings are the culprit.
that being said, I’m going to try the “Italian tuneup” in the spring once I get some new tires for it.
thank you everyone for the guidance!!!
soaked the cylinders in marvel mystery oil overnight, twice. Bought new compression tester. Also built leakdown tester.
engine cold:
cylinder 1: 130+
cylinder 2: 110
cylinder 3: 120
cylinder 4: 120
leakdown shows it’s all in the rings.
I confirmed by putting a tiny amount of oil in the cylinders and retesting. And by tiny, I mean not enough to even cover the piston.
with oil, all 4 are approx 150-160.
I think this confirms that the rings are the culprit.
that being said, I’m going to try the “Italian tuneup” in the spring once I get some new tires for it.
thank you everyone for the guidance!!!
Current project:
'84 KZ700
'84 KZ700
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, sf4t7, Wookie58
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- RonKZ650
-
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 3711
- Thanks: 247
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
05 Oct 2024 19:41
In my experience all the KZs tested low on compression even when relatively new. If it runs good enough, I would just ride. They are not going to be a 100hp engine.
321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
The following user(s) said Thank You: irishpopeye
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- KeylAmi!
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Engineer with anxiety
- Posts: 74
- Thanks: 46
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
08 Oct 2024 04:53
Thinking about it that past couple of days...
If the compression changes, does that mean that the vacuum also changes? as in should i check and re-sync the carbs after all this?
Or is the amount of change insignificant on a single intake stroke, as a compression test is checking "peak" pressure that the cylinder(s) can create?
Am I over thinking this?
If the compression changes, does that mean that the vacuum also changes? as in should i check and re-sync the carbs after all this?
Or is the amount of change insignificant on a single intake stroke, as a compression test is checking "peak" pressure that the cylinder(s) can create?
Am I over thinking this?
Current project:
'84 KZ700
'84 KZ700
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- KeylAmi!
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Engineer with anxiety
- Posts: 74
- Thanks: 46
Re: low compression... another rabbit hole
21 Oct 2024 05:29
Last followup (i hope!)
Got the bike up to temp this weekend. decided to check the compression again before winterizing it.
1: 150
2: 155
3: 150
4: 150
Success! Now to let it sit for months and hope it picks up where it left off in the spring.
Got the bike up to temp this weekend. decided to check the compression again before winterizing it.
1: 150
2: 155
3: 150
4: 150
Success! Now to let it sit for months and hope it picks up where it left off in the spring.
Current project:
'84 KZ700
'84 KZ700
The following user(s) said Thank You: JR, howardhb
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.