Thats ugly. I would be carefull to check for metal everywhere in that engine.

 

What's the cylinder head combustion chamber and valves look like?

 

Ok I have some more pictures to answer some questions

First of I will tell you all that the valves aren't sealing properly so I need to get the head sorted first, I went to a Kawasaki dealer and ordered new valves inlet outlet x2 and springs and a new head gasket, if there is anything I've forgot for the head please tell me :P

Now I took some pictures for you guys, I have a few opinions built on what I've heard from the mechanics at work. I'm not a mechanic myself I'm just a general fitter. Pictures to follow


That is the hole in the piston, it's on the exhaust side where the valves exhaust


Valves, notice the cleaner spots. Maybe indicating contact with piston?


The bottom of the piston, the darker area is the part that has melted through also on the exhaust side of the cylinder.


The scoring of the cylinder

So there is my update, I'm still waiting to hear from Bill. I'm hoping to hear from him soon, I really want to get back on the bike again

 

I will be flushing it out several times with diesel and then running oil through a few times too to make sure, or would you suggest pulling apart the bottom end and doing it the hard way?

 

I can't tell for sure, but it looks as though you have lost a few pieces of the rings perhaps... on that note I wouldn't feel comfortable not splitting the case; that's just myself. If it were just some aluminum down there you might have been able to get away with it.

Ur bike is fuel injected right? I thought they had an o2 sensor... or some sort of instrumentation for that matter to compensate to some degree for this sort of stuff? Shinanigans!

Jk, Jk... :-)

Sorry about ur bike though.

IDRIDR asked abouts carb settings... which confuzzled me, but a year is what I really want lol.

 

How many miles on it, carb or efi, symptoms? It must have ran poorly and made some funny noises before it stopped right?

 

I think I'd really have something break that head down and check guides and seats. You'd be amazed at how some of that "disapperaring" piston material can screw with the seats especially. You're going to need a valve job at the very least. Get someone who knows what they're doing with the seat angles and final lapping preparation or you're wasting your time. Man, that was a nasty event.

 

Sorry for your loss Lockie. I may be able to hook you up with piston/cylinder if the guy I know hasn't moved it after fitting the 300 kit.

As for new kit. Get some new collets for the valves (secure the valve/spring to the head,) and while you're at it some new valve stem seals. Cheap on both accounts and silly not to when relacing valves. Obviously, new top end gasket set too.

Give Rams Head Service a bell and get a quote. They do great work. Pack up the head and the spares you already have and mail it to them. >>> Rams Head Service, Windsor <<<

As for cause, we,ve had a few really hot days lately and going on the Aus bikes stock jetting it's really hard for me to say that the damage is caused from lean running. Most likely cause from MPOV is hot running, the bike got hot. Coolant leak, water pump, head gasket, something that caused the front of the cylinder to get too hot.

Lean running damage usually makes a hole in the centre of the cylinder, where the spark/ignition occures. Doesn't look a bit like that to me!

I'll keep you posted on the new piston /cylinder. You may be in luck!

 

This picture shows some staining around the head seal/water jacket area (at about 10 o'clock.) Could be why she got hot. Looks to be in the right area, (exhaust valves, front of the cylinder,) and corresponds with the damage on the piston.

 

What do you think the staining would be caused by mate? just put the valve stem seals and colletes on order too. I pick them up this Saturday, I know a pretty reputable bloke who does heads for drag cars so I might ask nicely if he can do the seats for me.

I'm probably going to follow through with the 351 kit, I've made up my mind that it's going to be the best thing I could do given my circumstance and I've fairly outgrown a 250. I do 50/50 road trail so I might get a smaller rear sprocket after the 351 kit so I'm not revving the *** out of it.

I've tryed the last few days getting hold of Bill with no luck, anyone know him personally? I can't get through to him with the number listed on his site and I've sent a few emails.

I miss riding my KLX and I'm pretty sure she misses me riding her too