My KLX 250(with a 351 kit) suffered a rather catastrophic engine failure. I'm taking the engine apart, when I get time, to figure out why. The head is good, but the cylinder & crankcase are toast.

I really enjoy this bike, for the riding I do, so I'm pondering options.
- Buy a used engine, or complete bottom end? There are a few on ebay. This seems to have a bit of risk. Questions come to mind - Why is someone selling a used engine or bottom end ?

- buy another whole bike. There are a few fair deals on CL.
- If I buy another bike, what to do with my engineless bike? Do they have value as a plated CA roller? Part it out?

Any thoughts or opinions are welcome.

 

id try a ebay motor and transfer the top end from your over to it or have a mechanic go through the whole engine first to make sure its good

 

im going on 5000 miles with my 351, knock on wood trouble free

 

My cylinder & liner is not repairable, Kwak. I do have a spare 250 & 300 cylinder however.

 

What happened to the bottom end that prevents repair/reuse? Unless you had a rod punch through the casting, I think that Bill may be able to still replace the sleeve and piston,

 

That's what happened. The rod broke, and took out the cylinder & crankcase.
Still doing an autopsy, disassembling the engine, and trying to figure out what went wrong. Had oil, had water, piston did not seize.

 

Follow up - I purchased a 4000 mile engine(2007 model). Pulled the head & cylinder, to see if it was truly 4k miles, and not . . say 24k. All looked good. I had to use the '09 stator(different connectors) & nuetral swich, and put in new rings. Finally got it installed and it fired right up. I like the brown clutch & ignition covers that came on the earlier KLX. Cannot wait to be on my KLX again, I missed it.