Saving 10 minutes at the expense of hours?

Troy V Smith

OK Guys, got the CR125 back together and rather than check compression and for air leaks (LIKE I ALWAYS DO) before installation, I didn't take the few minutes to double check everything! Instead, I installed in on the kart and got it ready to go. And yep.... turns out, this was the one time something ain't right - craaaapp!

I fill up the radiator and next thing you know, I've got water coming out from underneath the head! Well, what I found is that one of the head studs was not recessed all the way into the cylinder, must have backed out and I never even noticed! So, I never had a seal, which I would have known if I had done the right thing in the first place, but anyway.... What I want advice on now, is the best way to check and see if I have water in the crankcase or if a complete tear down is the only way? Any tricks to this situation?

I did stop the water flow pretty quick, and I did pull the pipe which had no water in it - there was a bit of water on the edge of the piston top, but doesn't look like it has very much - what should I do?
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Randy Mckee · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:38 pm Post subject:

It sounds like no big deal, and probably nothing (or very little) went into the bottom end. Put the head back together and fire it up. It's just like after a rain race... run it until warm and maybe spray some wd40 in the intake while it's running. It will run like crap, but that should help a little with water dispersion. Anyway, getting it warm should eliminate any water. Do this sooner rather than later.

I think you found the problem (the head stud), but do your leak test to be sure.
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Randy
#123 TonyKart - S4 Stock Honda

Randy Mckee · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject:

BTW: Good timing. I just checked the studs on my head, and 2 were loose! Yikes, I'm glad I read your post.
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Randy
#123 TonyKart - S4 Stock Honda

Greg Lindahl · Joined: 13 Jan 2011 Posts: 266

Heat the engine with a hot air gun to get all the water out. Could take an hour or more.
Could be a boring hour...

Randy Mckee · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 2:47 pm Post subject:

I forgot to ask, how long has it been sitting since the water fiasco?
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Randy
#123 TonyKart - S4 Stock Honda

Troy V Smith · Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2012 4:28 pm Post subject:

Thanks Guys - I have started it and and let it run for a few minutes since the first post. It sat with the water only for about five minutes or so before my original post. Once I got words from you Randy, I gave it a start. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary and doesn't sound funny or anything. Maybe I got lucky and dodged the bullet? I assume it would be best to make a mild run with it and pull the head to see what it looks like?
_________________
TVS Motorsports -
"We may not be the fastest on the track...
but we're having the most FUN!"

Steve Eady · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 956

Troy

It will be fine, I doubt hardly any went into the bottom end anyway. The same thing happened to me about 5 years ago.

Steve @ www.extremegokarts.com

Jim Derrig · Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2012 6:38 am Post subject:

I've submerged a couple of chevy V8 boat motors in the past and run them for years afterwards. You just change the oil and start 'em up. the engine heat removes any internal water in short order and the damage, if any, is minimal. That little leak of yours shouldn't have any consequences at all.