97 XP Locked Up

[thomas0202]

Bought a 97 XP a few months back and it was having some issues that seemed to be carb/fuel related so I decided to rebuild the carbs and change over from the TCW-3 the previous owner had to the correct API-TC oil. I was having issues with the crank seals leaking oil into the mag cylinder and hydrolocking the motor if left for a few days. When flushing out the rotary bath and changing the oil filter I came to find out the oil line to the oil pump had fallen off and was laying in the bilge. The entire elbow off the pump had fallen off, not the clamp on the line. Last time I rode it it locked up at full throttle and I assumed lean seize since I knew it was having carb issues. After seeing that oil line was off I knew it probably seized due to lack of oil and I knew the motor was probably on borrowed time but I was optimistic. Got it all together and it ran really well. Had a little issue down low where if you eased into the throttle it would want to shut off but if you nailed it it would take off and go in a hurry. Rode for a good hour or more and then took a break. Went back out and it fired right up and I go about 10 seconds and it just shuts off. Hit the start button and all you hear is a clunk.

Out of the water I pulled the plugs and they both had some metal shavings on them. Pulled the head and honestly nothing looks all that bad except for some small shavings on top of the pistons and a couple of really really minor scuffs on the cylinder walls. Am I right in thinking the rings were beginning to expand and shave the walls down and then one probably just let go and it locked? I can't tell for sure until I get the jugs off but the cylinders look like they can be honed and they'll be just fine to use. With the crank seals as bad as they are I probably should bite it and just get a new crank for piece of mind. Should I just do a whole top end on the motor or just tear it down and see what failed and go from there? Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[JJinSC]

Honestly, I think you need to bite the bullet and rebuild the whole thing. That age ski, though we don't know the hours, the crank probably wouldn't last. Plus, the seal is already leaking. The bottom end is actually what went first in my 97XP.

 

[thomas0202]

Honestly, I think you need to bite the bullet and rebuild the whole thing. That age ski, though we don't know the hours, the crank probably wouldn't last. Plus, the seal is already leaking. The bottom end is actually what went first in my 97XP.

That's probably what I'll end up doing. I didn't know if I was gonna like the ski when I first got it but I ended up loving it so I want it to be reliable. I feel like I got the thing for a good enough price I can put money into the motor and still be on top.