Hi Everyone,

I posted a message earlier "Help Seized Engine".  I ended up taking it to the Suzuki dealership where I purchased my used 2004 GS500 with only 3500 miles on it last September.  Anyway, they got back to me with an estimate of $700 for a "bent piston".  Also he said my "head might have damage" and it might be $1800.  I've only put 900 miles on it myself!!!

My engine seized when I fired it up about a month ago...let it idle for about 10 mins to warm up(it was a cold day)....turned it off to run back inside to get my jacket...turned it back on and it reved up fast(on it's own)  and locked up.  I had it out the day before riding for a 1/2 hour or so and it ran fine.

Am I being took by the mechanic or what?  Any sugestions?  I'm totally ticked off and at a loss of what to do.

Thanks,

Donald Smith

huh, i was unaware that the the piston itself could actually bend, i knew the rods could.

anyway, best bet for that price is a. find another engine b. find another bike or c. have them tell you exactly whats wrong with it and fix it yourself!

good luck!

how do you seize up and engine with 3500 miles on it?  not checking your oil?  buy a new engine

Quote from: themarsvolta on May 03, 2008, 06:24:33 PM
Hi Everyone,

I posted a message earlier "Help Seized Engine".  I ended up taking it to the Suzuki dealership where I purchased my used 2004 GS500 with only 3500 miles on it last September.  Anyway, they got back to me with an estimate of $700 for a "bent piston".  Also he said my "head might have damage" and it might be $1800.  I've only put 900 miles on it myself!!!

My engine seized when I fired it up about a month ago...let it idle for about 10 mins to warm up(it was a cold day)....turned it off to run back inside to get my jacket...turned it back on and it reved up fast(on it's own)  and locked up.  I had it out the day before riding for a 1/2 hour or so and it ran fine.

Am I being took by the mechanic or what?  Any sugestions?  I'm totally ticked off and at a loss of what to do.

Thanks,

Donald Smith

Take it to another dealer/shop for a second opinion. I find it hard to believe you seized a gs500 engine with those few miles on it. I've never seen a 'bent piston', i've seen allot of mucked up stuff, but never that. A piston being 'bent' would mean the cylinder would be exploded, since there is usually only thousandths of an inch clearance between a piston and the cylinder bore.

like i said, 2nd opinion time

If you had a carb float hung open or a bad needle and seat assembly,the cylinder would have flooded,hydrolocking that cylinder and bending the rod or cracking the piston.I highly doubt this to be the case but it is possible.Post your location(city and state) and someone more knowledgeable, from the forum, may come take a look at it. 

I'd sure like to hear how you can bend a piston.  Something isn't right there.

Quote from: GeeP on May 03, 2008, 08:39:04 PM
I'd sure like to hear how you can bend a piston.  Something isn't right there.

Pistons are aluminum.They will crack before they bend.

have tehy taken teh engine apart already?

Unless they have taken the engine apart and inspected it they are guessing at whats wrong and how the fault has occured.........unless they have a pair of X-ray Specs`.

and sledge is the first one to show any wit...

If they looked at the bike and said "bent (random internal part)" then they're full of shaZam!.  Go somewhere else.

Are you completely sure the engine is seized?  Pull the spark plugs out and try cranking it.  If it doesn't turn go get some marvel mystery oil and fill both cylinders up from the plug holes and let it sit for a couple hours.  Then pull the plug off the (left?) side engine cover so that you can see the crank bolt.  Get a big ratchet and socket, preferably a breaker and socket, and try breaking the cylinder loose by hand.  Turn against the natural rotation of the eninge (which I think would be turn it counter clockwise).  If it loosens up just keep turning.  Go all the way around a dozen times and make sure nothing is interfering.