GL1100 engine siezure

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JohnBaxter
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GL1100 engine siezure

#1

Post by JohnBaxter »

I recently bought a 1980 GL1100.
The guy I bought it from said the electrical system wasn't working right.
I bought a new AGM battery, a new voltage regulator, and a start relay.
Insert key, energize electrics, push start button... (click)
It seems the engine is siezed, is this common with 1100's?
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stretch160
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#2

Post by stretch160 »

have you tried turning it over by hand?
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#3

Post by LuckyEddie »

Remove the spark plugs, probably hydro locked.
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1976 GL1000
1980 XS1100LG
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JohnBaxter
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#4

Post by JohnBaxter »

I have tried turning it over with the spark plugs removed.
I removed the timing cover and tried turning it over with a wrench in the crank.
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ericheath
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#5

Post by ericheath »

Both belts are still intact? I would pull the valve covers (four bolts each side) and at least look for evidence of damage there; broken cam, rockers, bent valves. If it’s not moving either direction, this is less likely.

Lots of guys have luck spraying some penetrant in the plug holes and rocking the back wheel with it in gear. Heat can help too. (Acetone/ATF is a common suggestion/ keep it off paint) Leave it a day, rock it, repeat. If it’s just a little corrosion you probably get away with it. If it’s a lot, you might make it worse.

Safest way, but expensive is pull the head(s). If it’s been sitting a while, the original head gaskets are apt to have a short lifespan anyways.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
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JohnBaxter
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#6

Post by JohnBaxter »

I have already bought a new top end kit. Both belts are in tactbut one looks newer. I'm wondering if I've been banboozled.
I guess the next step is head removal.
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#7

Post by wingrider »

Just to clarify, you put a 17 mm socket on the shaft under the generator bolt cover, which is behind the spin off cover on the rear left side of the engine, could you turn it clockwise at this point?

I had an 81 1100 in the shop that seemed to be locked up, but turned out starter was bad.
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JohnBaxter
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#8

Post by JohnBaxter »

I did not try to rotate the engine via the generator bolt, I put a wrench to the center pulley under the timing cover.
Does that make a difference?
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#9

Post by desertrefugee »

Should work just as well. Hope it turns (No pun intended) out well for you.
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#10

Post by ericheath »

Well the ultimate bamboozle here a few years ago was a guy who bought a running bike. It was running rough, checked compression and zero on a cylinder. Pulled the head and the motor had been disassembled, a piston removed, reassembled with no piston or rod, and sold as a runner.

You never no.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#11

Post by CYBORG »

if one belt looks newer, was it installed correctly? check the timing marks on the cam. Don't know why anyone would charge onlt one belt,......unless one broke. Which might cause other damage
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#12

Post by x_wing »

I'm gonna follow this thread too just in case!
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#13

Post by Aberdale »

Following as well.

I'm currently in the same situation as the OP. 1976 Gl1000. Spark plugs are out. Each cylinder soaking with a combination of PB Blaster and ATF (except for the cylinder with the open exhaust valve). I'll give it a week or two . . . . unless I get impatient and just pull the heads.

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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#14

Post by ancientdad »

ericheath wrote:Well the ultimate bamboozle here a few years ago was a guy who bought a running bike. It was running rough, checked compression and zero on a cylinder. Pulled the head and the motor had been disassembled, a piston removed, reassembled with no piston or rod, and sold as a runner.

You never no.
Wow - that took some serious cojones. My Dad told me of a car engine (straight 8) that he worked on back in the day that had been done like that, but a bike... man. :x
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'84 VF1100S naked
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Re: GL1100 engine siezure

#15

Post by JamesPal »

ancientdad wrote:
ericheath wrote:Well the ultimate bamboozle here a few years ago was a guy who bought a running bike. It was running rough, checked compression and zero on a cylinder. Pulled the head and the motor had been disassembled, a piston removed, reassembled with no piston or rod, and sold as a runner.

You never no.
Wow - that took some serious cojones. My Dad told me of a car engine (straight 8) that he worked on back in the day that had been done like that, but a bike... man. :x
Tom, good to see you. Back in the day my dad had to pull a piston out of his Model T. He said it ran a little rough but he drove it around for a few months. At 20 HP on a good day, I'm not sure how much was left on 3 cylinders.

I cannot imagine anyone going to the trouble of taking a piton and rod out of a Goldwing engine and putting it back together.
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