Can i change my pistons myself?

[blue600]

I got a 96 katana and i took it to a local shop and they e-xrayed it and said my pistons were off. Now i have the complete manual for my year, but tell u the truth i dont know anything about the motor i just know how to ride. Ok the ? can i do it my self?[/b]

[Black_peter]

Yes,

You will most likely break something. Cut your hands up. Invent some new swear words. Buy a lot of nifty new tools. Take up drinking. Learn a lot! But yes it is possible for you to do it..

[reconstyle]

I did it, but I had basic knowledge on motors before I tore mine apart.

And yes, BP is right, I "had" to buy a bunch of sweet new tools.

The shop x-rayed it? Since when do shops use x-ray machines? And what do you mean your pistons are "off"?

[Black_peter]

The shop x-rayed it? Since when do shops use x-ray machines? And what do you mean your pistons are "off"?

What your shop doesn't have a kat scan??

[The CyberPoet]

Oooohhh... bad pun!

They probably did a compression test (leak-down) or stuck a scope down the spark plug holes. I've never seen a shop that actually had an XRay machine, and with the Feds cracking down on control of radiotides used in XRay machines, I doubt they'd be permitted to keep one.

Meanwhile, I guess the real question is whether you want to do this as a learning experience, or just to get back on the road. As a learning experience, I'm all for it, suggest you do it, etc. As a method of getting back on the road, buying an used known-good engine/tranny combo for $500 - $800 and swapping engines is more time effective (and probably will be more cost-effective as well by the time all is said and done unless you have a ton of tools already).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[Black_peter]

Oooohhh... bad pun!

Bad pun?!?!
Nice to meet you Mr. Pot!

[gaillarry]

Why did you take it to the shop? No power, piston slap, noisy engine?? I think the shop is full of BS, give us some more info.

[Dan Dubeau]

The shop x-rayed it? Since when do shops use x-ray machines? And what do you mean your pistons are "off"?

What your shop doesn't have a kat scan??

Careful there....... anymore like that, and they just might give you your own T.V. show on Spike's "powerblock"

[md86]

I did it , and I didn't have much knowledge of the engine beforehand , but I DID read a LOT .
I think the hardest part is getting the engine in and out . But ......
You'll probably end up with new rings ($160 through Suzuki for my oversize ones , not sure what stock size would be) , and have the cylinder honed (another $180 at my local shop) . If you can score a "new" engine for $400-$600 , and you can swing it , it'd be much easier . But , Like BP said , you'll learn a LOT . And stock up on finger band aids ahead of time ! The rings didn't cut me up , but the sharp edges of the bores and head got me quite often .

[The CyberPoet]

Nice to meet you Mr. Pot!

Black_kettle...


=-= The CyberPoet