250-500cc 08 WR 250 locked up!!!

Just found this site and maybe you guys can help. I was 2 hours into a Hare Scramble yesterday and my 08 WR 250 locked up. Bike was running great, no indications that it was going to seize. Came up a hill 3rd gear full throttle, set up for the turn, pulled the clutch in, and the bike started making a squeaking noise and lost power. Pulled over and was able to start it again but had no power and was still squeaking. Bike wont kick over now. Bike has 25 hours on it and has been maintaned after every ride. Bike is jetted perfect with a PWK carb. Did I suck in a reed? Looks like I'll be getting an Eric Gorr big bore kit.

I was praising the WR before the race to a bunch of guys asking about it . I had to do the walk of shame back to the truck and explain what happened. I'll tear it down this week and let ya know what I found it.

wr

Yep, 40:1. Air filter was fresh and the gear box oil had 2 rides on it.

Pull the ignition and/or clutch covers off and see if a nut has come off and is the reason for it locking up?

An improperly jetted engine would cause a seize.

How do you know that it was jetted correctly?

WR

I've been running the same jetting since September without a problem. Plug looked good when I put a new one in before the race. It even looked a little rich.

ScottyR is right..pull the covers off both sides..check the reluctor and stator rotor on igntion side for binding...if ok remove the clutch plates and springs on the other side... if the center nut is still on and tight...remove it and pull the basket off.....try to turn the crank by hand.....if its still locked up....its in the motor(crk..or piston)

didnt 08WRs have some reed breakage issues...???

I've never heard of a WR250 piston seizure. The Huskies I have worked on have all had generous piston clearance. That's not to say it can't happen. The squeaking noise and the loss of power points to the engine.

The advice about checking for loose nuts and binding under the covers is sound and likely true, but it's pretty quick to pull the sparkplug and the exhaust and take a look. If the plug is covered in aluminum or the exhaust side of the piston is all scored then you know you have to pull the jug.

I thought the reed problem was an '07 only issue and even then only on some. My '07 has had no reed issues and I've checked a few times to be safe. However, I do know of one '07 owner that has had reeds fail twice

WR

****UPDATE****
Heres what I found. The Steahly flywheel weight backed off and came in contact with the ignition cover. Thats what the squealing noise was. It broke the ignition cover. Once I took the ignition cover off, the motor was freed. I bought the bike with the weight on it so it wasn't mine or the bikes fault. Installer did not use Loctite. Husqy's still ROCK!!!

I love that !! sorry,,, not that you did have a failure of sorts,,,,but it was a simple issue not related to the internal workings. and a relativly minor issue. Thanks for the update, now put er back together and get out and rail Yeah!

wr

Not so good so far!!! Can't get the flywheel off . It created a ridge when it free spun. Talked to steahly and he said try a pulley to get it off. Either way the end of the crank is destroyed. Don't know what was worse a top end or this. Very frustated right now!!

WR

Well finally got it off. It took a puller and a propane torch to get it off The flywheel weight actually bent from the pulley. Needless to say the crank end is trashed . What do I do next? What does a new crank cost? I have never done a bottom end on a bike so I'll have to send it out. Any idea what this should cost? Know any good mechanics that are reasonable in Labor? There goes my full revalve from LTR.

Good thing I didn't sell my KTM 450. At least I still have a bike to ride, maybe, I might have to sell it to pay for the repair.

Please try the chase the threads option as motosportz said. with patience you may get it back in shape to thread,,,use some jewelers files and work on the grooves carefully. It really is worth the time in this case. Best of luck sorry for your misfortune,,,,I am heading out to the garage to inspect my sons RM125 with the 10oz Steahly weight!! may reinstall with red locktite.

Fire;

You can do this yourself and save some money. I am by no means more than an average mechanic and have tore down and re-built a 2003 Honda CR-125 and a 2001 Honda CR-250 this year.

If you have the service manual and some patience it is not too difficult to tear a motor completely down and inspect it. If the crank is the only thing that was damaged you can purchase a new one, replace the crank bearings, and re-assemble without alot of trouble. However, make sure you try to keep the transmission together, if it is not damaged when you split the cases, it makes it easier to re-assemble.

Give it a try you only have money to save.

Mike