Ran out of oil

[Dan]

I went out yesterday for a 240 mile run and at mile 199 the engine stalled. I was running low on fuel but the way it stalled did not sound like running out of fuel, it sound more like an engine seizure. I popped the hood and was able to turn over the engine that was when I noticed the oil tank was empty!. A buddy had a half a litre so we added that, I then started it up and drove about a 1/4 mile then it stalled again. We were about 5 miles from a gas station so my buddies went ahead to get some gas and oil. I started it up again and was able to get to the gas station, filled her up and I also added some oil to the fuel tank to richen up the oil mixture. I then drove it the remaining 35 miles home without a problem.

It seems to be running fine now but I must have done some damage, right? The sled is a polaris 96xcr 600sp triple triple with 3200miles. What should I be checking to see what if any damage was done?

[vinnie]

pull the plugs out and look for aluminum deposits

[Dan]

Checked plugs and I don't see any aluminum deposits. All three plugs look tan to dark brown. It started this morning on the second pull and sounds ok. How would I check or know if the crank got damaged?

[JB]

If you can, take the manifold off and have a look at
the cylinder walls for scorring....you may be able to see
more of the cylinders that way as well. If the engine was
heated up, it is possible to melt piston rings to the cylinder....
this is a bad thing. Definately do a compression test on all
three cylinders....they should all be almost the same...if not,
you may be able to tell the cylinder or cylinder(s) that may
be damaged.

We just had a Polaris RXL doing the same thing.......heated up
one cylinder. It would run a bit then stop......ended up needing
new cylinder, piston, and rings.

Is this the xcr with each seperate cylinders, or is it a mono-block?
You did say triple-triple, so i would assume it's 3 individuals right?

[MudKing]

96 is a mono block

[JB]

The XCR SP is not mono-block......

Straight XCR600, yes, that is a mono-block....

[JB]

Just incase you don't believe me....lol:


http://216.37.204.206/wps/Polaris_OEM/PolarisSnow.asp?Type=13&A=150&B=8

[MudKing]

right new gen body

[Dan]

It is not the monoblock, each cylinder is separate. I'll get back to you guys as soon as I have some time to check it out. What about checking crank damage? Thanks for the replies

[JB]

May be hard to visually tell crank damage.....once you get
a compression test, and if one is way out of whack, take that
head apart and check for scorring and what not. Then you could
maybe see some of the crank..........But if it still is firing up without
much clanging and banging, it should be alright.....unless it is split,
then you'd be hearing some racket...lol.

[QUADZILLA]

Pull your exhaust off and see if you can see the sides of the pistons. Your motor is case reed so you won't see anything from the carb side. Anyway Exhaust should just be a bunch of springs. Look also at the top edge of the pistons. Might need a mirror to see.

[HOUSEHUNTER]

If It Aint Broke, Dont Fix It !!!

Drive It......

[HOUSEHUNTER]

Ran My Zrt Out Of Oil.... Same Thing Got Another 4000 Mile After That No Biggie !!

[Dan]

I just did a compression test with the engine cold , 90, 90, and 95 on the clutch side. I checked compression a few months ago and I think the readings were about the same. I was told the compression is lower on a triple. Does that sound ok? I will pull the exhaust off hopefully later this week to check the pistons. Househunter I hope you're right.

[MudKing]

should be 120 psi for sure

[Dan]

Are you sure? I just talked to a friend of mine and he has a 98 xcr 600 and he told me his was around 90psi when he tested it last year. He was told that is normal for a triple. When I did the compression test the engine was cold (-20). Are you supposed to warm it up first?

[wild man]

all 2 strokes need atleast 100 psi if it still starts good get another tester because with 90 psi should not run

[hannibal]

should be 120 psi for sure

Anything over 100psi you're doing ok....

[Honda king]

90 psi sounds oretty low, i think it shold be at least 100 psi. rings sound warn out. my sled is a 87 polaris indy trail and it runs not bad with 100 psi. i would cheack the pressure when warmed up. 90 sounds to low...

[Dan]

It seems to run good, so I'll try another tester

[QUADZILLA]

I had an XC600 Mono block tripple, single pipe and with 4500 miles on it it still had 130 130 129 psi.

[mkehler]

The fact that they are all close readings across the board is a good sign... like the others have said just try another tester..

Matt