Freeing up a VFR motor 'seized' through lack of use..

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by ccrunner, Mar 4, 2021.

  1. ccrunner

    ccrunner New Member

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    Hi guys.. I have a 1998 bike that's been sitting for a few years.. it definitely ran when parked, but it's been awhile. Now she's seized.. I'll be taking the motor out of the bike and putting it on the build table.. I'd like not to tear into it any further than is needed..

    So the question is this: What's the gentlest, least intrusive way to free this thing up? I feel bad that I didn't properly prep it for storage, but I'm really surprised it seized from just sitting for awhile.. Live and learn..

    Thoughts?

    Thanks guys-

    --ccrunner
     
  2. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    pour some oily penetrant liquid down each sparkplug hole and let it sit a few days, then try turning crank clockwise with a socket on the crank end under the clutch cover access hole. usually caused by piston rings corroding in the bore.

    even worse is oxide buildup on pistons and cylinders.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  3. ccrunner

    ccrunner New Member

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    I'll give this a try.. Thank you squirrelman :cool:
     
  4. Sp00ks

    Sp00ks New Member

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    I've used Marvel Mystery Oil for this with good success.
     
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  5. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    What they said..... Yamaha RingFree might be something to use as well (full strength, coupla tablespoons in the spark plug holes). Mostly naptha and some oil....
     
  6. ccrunner

    ccrunner New Member

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    Got it! I used what I had on hand (Seafoam Deep Creep) and let it sit for awhile.. I was pretty gentle with the force used as the bolt I was on was pretty small, but it ended up working fine.. I actually sort of rocked it back and forth (clockwise/c-clockwise) and over the span of just a few minutes of doing that I was able to get a full revolution of the crank in one direction. I'm still surprised to have this happen as this motor has only been idle for a few years, but the reality is it wasn't stuck that badly..

    Thanks guys.. I appreciate it.. looking forward to getting this motor back in service soon :)

    --ccrunner
     
  7. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    you can't turn the engine backwards using the crank because the starter clutch prevents it, right ? better to use some oil rather than a solvent alone.
     
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