Turning engine over manually

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
U_h0rnet5
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 276
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:48 pm
My Bike: ZXR400
Location: Watford
Contact:

Turning engine over manually

Post by U_h0rnet5 »

Hey,

I've rebuilt my engine but its been left standing for a while, is there anyway to turn the engine over manually with all the oil/fluids in without having to take the RHS cover off?

Also as it has been standing for a while should I give the engine a spray with a bit of WD40 or just put the oil in and hope for the best???

Thanks
Ciaran #65
User avatar
extonyg
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 405
Joined: Tue May 12, 2009 9:40 pm
My Bike: zxr 400 L1 uk
Location: Portsmouth

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by extonyg »

i dont no if its possible but you might be able to put it in gear on a paddock stand and turn the wheel as that should turn it over (i could be wrong though never tried) but overwise just lean it over slightly to the left and take the right hand casing off and you wont loose any oil.
how long has it been stood for?my rode bike got put away for about 2 months and i started it up no problems.
User avatar
U_h0rnet5
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 276
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:48 pm
My Bike: ZXR400
Location: Watford
Contact:

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by U_h0rnet5 »

Well I got the engine in May 2008, stripped it down as the head gasket had gone ever since then its been sitting in my my spare bike while I got all the other things sorted.
cargo
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 3342
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:33 am
My Bike: tomos moped
Location: Carrickfergus Northern Ireland

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by cargo »

If it's in the frame with all electrics and a battery just turn it over with the starter motor.....................if you want to do it with no spark plugs in it will spin faster and clearly not start. If taking the plugs out is too much work then turn it over with the ignition pick up unplugged and it will turn over without starting

Sitting on the bench it's no big job to take the ignition pick up cover off and turn it over with a 19mm socket...............clockwise. Do it with plugs out it will be easier
Tip it to one side and no oil will come out......................
User avatar
U_h0rnet5
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 276
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:48 pm
My Bike: ZXR400
Location: Watford
Contact:

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by U_h0rnet5 »

Yeah its all in the frame most of the electrics are connected one thing I want to try out really as well!

If I take the plugs out, would it be a bit beneficial to spray a little WD40 in the holes?
lewisdale
CBT slow
CBT slow
Posts: 734
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:41 pm
My Bike: zxr400 H2
Location: essex

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by lewisdale »

i wouldnt to be honest, you could stick a couple of drops of petrol down there with 2 stroke oil in it just to help it ,till the oil gets back round once started, but like i say a little bit, you dont want to flood the engine
but saying that i think most people wouldnt bother
cargo
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 3342
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:33 am
My Bike: tomos moped
Location: Carrickfergus Northern Ireland

Re: Turning engine over manually

Post by cargo »

To my mind the only reason to turn it over manually is so that the oil pump is primed and pumping oil..................if you can turn it over without it starting using the starter motor it will raise enough oil pressure to put the oil light out....................you can do no more than that really.

When it comes to actually starting it fresh fuel in the tank/carbs is good and a pre warmed set of plugs is good too in my experience I warm them with a hot air gun hot enough to lift your skin off your fingers.................get the hot plugs in the bike and hit the starter with full choke.....................should fire up OK.

Once on a really cold day I filled the radiator/cooling system with very hot water from a boiled kettle. Don't know if it helped but sure as hell confused the temp gauge LOL
Post Reply