How to free up a seized motor

[@giacouk8351]

Just used this method on my fireblade, which has been garaged for nearly 20 years. It took an hour soak in WD40. Got it moving on the back wheel in top gear. Bit more WD40. 30 minutes later, it turns over on the starter motor. What a legend, thanks a million 😊😊😊

[@ajjacob871]

I just started getting into motorcycle repair and restoration about a week ago and I have to say your videos and website are the most informative, resourceful, and most hands-on instruction that I've come across on the internet. I'm currently working on 4 bikes that have been sitting for 4 years and 1 that's been sitting for 25+ years. Thanks to you, I feel like I can get these beauties running again. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Glad to help

[@TBullCajunbreadmaker]

The next time you do this use Marvel Mystery Oil. This was designed to do everything you are trying to do. It not only provides top notch penetration but it is is also a first class lubricant that will mix well as a fuel additive. So when you finally get the engine broken free it will not be hard to clean out the liquid that you used to free your engine. I have had very good results with it on many different things. It's the best.

[@urbanlovesrural]

Hi Tbull, what is the best way to clean up the Marvel liquid inside Engine once unseized?

[@pimpedoutstereos9747]

Thank you so much, using your method I was able to unseize the motor in the pit bike that I just bought. It smokes heaps as the rings will need replacing but I had no intentions of bothering with the motor in it

[@72hourbob61]

I mix up 50/50 Diesel fuel & ATF. Fill each cylinder to the top and let it set for a few days. Last engine I did was a 4 cyl. Diesel that had been setting in a field for 6 years with an open intake. Been running fine for the last 3 years now.

[@johnconti1329]

Rebuilt my carbs back in march...never would have even attempted that myself if not for your videos on the subject so just wanted to say thank you!! You the man...keep these videos coming!!!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Thats what Im here for bud

[@westgl2006]

I use 50/50, diesel fuel and ATF Automatic trans fluid for my penetrating engine un-freeze, i have used this on several bikes and all bike runs great and are still running great.

[@urbanlovesrural]

Thanks Gary, Is ATF + 4 Full Synthetic transmission oil ok to put in there? What should i cut it with if I don't use diesel?

[@urbanlovesrural]

considering wd-40 to ATF-4 mix

[@rwrestores]

Your videos are so informative, I like the fact it has no bulls*+t involved, they are great to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@332131440]

Hi, just wanted to say thank you so much for posting this, and all your other videos. They are fantastic. I was given a 1982 Honda CB750C and I'm currently in the process of restoring it. First time tackling anything like this and your videos are extremely helpful.

[@CJFilms1001]

One of the most the most informative video on this subject

[@dc-wp8oc]

Methodical. Clear. Concise. A great explanation. Anyone out there with any success in unseizing a Honda 700cc Magna?

[@robertrohr2698]

I have a 82 yamaha maxim 650 it sat for years I could move the engine at all I did the processes that you show in your video and boom the engine is free thank you for the great advice

[@mrmaxstorey]

Thats great to hear its a great bike. Be sure to check compression I hope you get it running

[@robertrohr2698]

mrmaxstorey it runs need the cards adjusted and I love them YICS engines this is like the 3rd one I've owned and my father had a 750 seca

[@SPECTREapparel]

Perfect! Been fighting with my 78 cb550 for a week on this. The trick was putting it in high gear and it worked in 5min. Cheers!

[@TheIronWarMachine]

I love your videos! I'm definitely going to pick up a bike with a seized motor.

[@keitho77]

"Ride the piss out of it" - Solid advice : ) Thanks for the video. Good information and tips.

[@andrewtucker7990]

Mine has got to be the first situation you mentioned because I kept my bike in my livingroom. Especially during bad weather and the winter months.

[@tomashton7208]

I use marvel mystery oil, and put the plugs back in, let it soak for a day.

[@prav401]

Thank you, this was very helpful, have a rebuilt CB550 ( 74) that a schmuck Mechanic let sit promising to fix for a year but never got to it and now the engine is seized up. Gonna give these techniques a try. Fingers crossed.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+prav401 Good luck

[@inkydoug]

This is exactly the information I was looking for. My '71 Yamaha XS650 will soon be running again.If it is only seized.

[@BlizzardHockey4432]

inkydoug ive got a 77 xs750. There a blast. Hope you get it going

[@muhammadmohsin3321]

Hi Mr max I bought a quad bike 350cc,(Chinese replica of the yamaha raptor 350, it's called hisun. Parts are identical ) project, the owner said it just needs a wiring loom/harness. I bought a harness and installed it, and the bike was turning over, by jumping the solenoid with a spanner but it never started(battery is new) . With some advice I was told to try another harness and another stator and cdi. I purchased all the required parts from someone stripping the same model. I tried it one last time before installing the new harness and is still just turned over but no spark (even though I used a lot of starting fluid) I then put the new harness in and connected it up and it stopped turning over. I tried checking everything on the harness, everything seemed fine. After a while, I put the old harness back in and then too it no longer turned over. I tested the starter motor it's turning great. I took off the left motor cover and trying to turn over the motor with a wrench, I found it to be stuck, stuck. I left it for few months now, any idea what's going on with this bike , is it ciezed and unciezable or is it that the timings are out or any other advice will be highly appreciated Thanks in advance.

[@mrmaxstorey]

With a little luck all you did was hydrolock the motor with all that starter fluid and gas. Remove the spark plug and see if you can get it to turn over

[@muhammadmohsin3321]

@@mrmaxstorey unfortunately removing the spark plug hasn't made any difference. Where's to next

[@mrmaxstorey]

@@muhammadmohsin3321 Bummer. Well sounds like its physically seized. You can take it apart and see what happened if you want but it doesnt sound like this video will help you

[@muhammadmohsin3321]

@@mrmaxstorey whew That's quite strange though, without the motor running, just the starter motor doing that much damage?

[@Crosshatch1212]

@@mrmaxstoreycheers dude you just helped save a old old vmax ,uk Scotland .

[@spitfeueranna]

Another thing this happens to is front shock absorbers. Rain water will get in them and rust them and lock them down frozen. Drain them, use lots of PB blaster and back and forth motion or shocks until you can get them to wiggle.

[@phiksit]

To clean out the oil pan after I drained the cruddy oil out, I took about 1/2 gallon of kerosene and one of those 12.99 battery operated transfer pumps from harbor freight and let is circulate through the sump for about 5 mins. I rigged up a funnel to catch the fluid with a rag to filter it as it drained out the oil drain hole and into a catch pan where I had the pump sucking it back up and pumping back into the oil fill hole. I did a second flush with fresh kerosene and it was a lot cleaner... so I figured it was good enough.

[@monkee0knife0fighter]

Informative and entertaining actually. Enjoyed your dry humor. Smiled every time you dropped the term "shit". Now . . . off to the garage.

[@mrmaxstorey]

you know me... i like to keep it light :) Thanks for watching

[@ThePaulv12]

near boiling motor oil down the plug holes. obviously use metal funnel and copper or aluminum pipe.

[@summexican496]

I just got one for $25 and boy am I happy I found this video (was getting ready to scrap it).

[@nightmareinaction629]

Señor Mexican dam you got a motorcycle for 25 dollars lucky

[@TheShanesousley]

I got mine for 150 but 25 bucks damn!!

[@TufdogsPlace]

Another fine video Max. I'm sure many will find this useful. Cheers

[@TonyStewartKY]

I haven't watched videos for a while due to working on my own bike and car. I see that you have upgraded your camera equipment and now have a camera tripod...its a huge improvement! Although your videos have always been awesome because of the content and the teacher, its nice to not have the camera shaking.. Again great video, thanks for sharing your vast knowledge!

[@chestercoleman6311]

dude you scored on that jewel!

[@jacksonms212]

MARVEL MYSTERY oil work really well on alot of the boat motor i have done and the few motorcycles but so does WD

[@spelunkerd]

What a goofy way to design a custom intake.

[@ylism]

I have found the Marvel Mystery oil work great, better than diesel fuel, or wd40, or just about any other stuff. Also adding some ATF into the crankcase helps clean and was the crud out, then after running a little while, change filter & oil as you said. I would run a little MMO in the fuel to lubricate the valve train while riding, go by what the bottle says to use. Hope that helps, it has for others, like me, plus it smells good. lol

[@vt2704]

Thanks. Your the man. Sprayed WD40 straight through the carbs into the head, rocked it, and bubba bye baby.

[@goesintite]

Is there a follow up video to this bike getting unsiezed?

[@shanegriffith5948]

As always..great video. Appreciate the words of wisdom.

[@MrChevySiverado1500]

A guy had this exact bike at the local street drags, had a swing arm extension and exhaust, beat EVERYTHING there, he was pissing the crotch rocket guys off, I was amazed, one hell of a bike

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah theyre torque monsters

[@cyberjack]

could have put on a small rubber angled snorkel on top .to keep rain out and still look cool

[@38KSW]

Diesel fuel is used in aircraft engines, use it all the time, but a mix of WD-40 and Diesel

[@arthurburt4816]

ive got a 75 honda goldwing gl1000 been sitting for ten pluss years pulled tank flushed shook ann that got it clean or rust pulled carbs off cleaned boeles up flowts needle ste ats reinstalled freed breaks system drained now motor thought about marvels oil and desial fule flushing ithe gears only dont kown best way should i pull the case cap on top under neath where the carb linkage and put a small hose in there to flush the block and just let it wash and pull the lower oil drain plug

[@PaulJones-ld9xk]

I used dielectric fluid in the cylinders worked a treat.

[@InsaneFrenzy]

thanks for this video i got my bandit 400cc seized motor to work again now only thing i have to do is get it running

[@HartfordHD125]

Hi Max. Another nice video. Some motorcyclists, especially in the States, recommend using Marvel Mystery Oil for unseizing. However I am not sure how available it is worldwide. You did a great job anyway ! Cheers, Roger

[@jasonxdooley]

Great video man! Super informative. Once you have unsealed the motor, you're draining all the WD-40/oil/water prior to putting the plugs back in correct?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Jason Dooley Oh sure

[@spitfeueranna]

I use PB Blaster. Fill that cylinder and let it sit quite a while. Add some more.

[@calebroach4008]

Hey Maxi what do you do to correct your ignition timing on an 77 tt500 if the t and f marks are rusted off the the fly wheel?

[@TheDrunkardHu]

you remind me of my dad... hahaha! "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." it says more than the words imply. and at a certain point in any vehicles life, you're better off just driving it until the wheels fall off... all of these sayings of course coming from a middle class mechanic who is at the point where he would rather walk than have to change a tire. :D

[@jbuilds1]

great vid :) just sold my first project bike

[@mroakridgeboy9559]

thanks Mr max that worked i got it running

[@cory1641]

Thanks a ton bro didn't know how that worked.

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

Nice tips. Then there is also the seized motor due to lack of oil. Take care.

[@hamidabdanan7795]

Did you put the spark plugs back in after the WD40? My bike engine is not seized but when I try to start it, it acts like it for a few tries. I think I am going to add that stuff and see. Thanks for the video.

[@ArduinoAlan]

just bought a bike on Facebook's new Craigslist marketplace thing that is seized. can't wait to use the techniques you mentioned here!! thanks!!

[@aLargeKawasaki]

Great video! "It's not easy to out it". Hilarious!

[@wojciechnosko]

Those are not just after marker crabs they are Keihin FCR racing carburettors !

[@walkerrog25]

Excellent viewing as always. Hope the bike comes good for you buddy. What are those bikes like anyway looks a monster with real muscle. Nice looking too.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Oh yeah man its a torque monster

[@tiltonbrewer4545]

you do have video's of carb cleaning? just decided to ask a question about carborater cleaning.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Tilton Brewer OK yes I have videos up on the channel about cleaning all different types of carbs

[@phrankus2009]

Man ... I am always so glad when I see a new upload, from you. So ... What if rocking or bumping the starter motor had worked, initially ?? At what point would you have drained and changed the oil + Filter ?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah I usually change the oil and filter once I get the bike unstuck

[@User6327]

Good video, Max. I was hoping to see you bust this engine free by the end, but oh well. Now.. Off to clean that huge oil spin in your driveway! lol Watched it creep along during the last half of the video.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Haha for real. Got out the kitty litter and soaked it all up. Really the only bummer about this video was that I only thought of making it a couple days after I had actually done it and busted it free, this was just a demonstration video

[@User6327]

mrmaxstorey When I saw you rocking back and forth, I think I knew it was was loose. Typically, you'd see the tire skidding along the ground. Very good! Onward!

[@mrmaxstorey]

User6327 good catch, eagle-eye

[@cell-one7019]

Great info here thx for sharing...also subscribed to your channel. Having some issues with my bike right and came across your video.

[@mrmaxstorey]

What kind of issues are you having?

[@cell-one7019]

Somehow my crankshaft got stuck and wouldn't turn over when starting. Thought it was battery but had enough juice then tried jump starting it in 2nd gear but back tires won't turn when I popped the clutch and i did some Googling....I tried your method..putting it in the highest gear and rocking it back and forward.. It worked. Got it to start, rode it down the street and now it feels like I lost power.... Spark Plugs?.... I'm no mechanic by all means just like you wanting to learn and do it like you say... And just process of elimination. Thx for responding!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Sou Vannavong Id do a compression test first off to make sure that all your cylinders are good

[@cell-one7019]

Thx for tip Max and I'll do compression test for sure before I ride again. Thx again for all your videos they do teach a lot!!!

[@nathanjohnson3790]

Great Job! Most Informative!! Thanks!

[@MrSlowestD16]

Damn, this was good to know - thanks man! Love ur vids like these.

[@dinhead12]

Good video man as always.

[@BAMyint-ef2sx]

I've got a seized cb360t and have added penetrant in both spark plug holes. currently the bike won't shift either, even when I try to rock it as you show. Will rocking it back and forth still work if the shift is locked up? it's not in neutral but I don't know what gear it's in.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+B.A. Myint yes

[@slipryeel]

I do the same I,m un seizing a 250rr at the moment got it just starting to turn over with a little luck she will be going soon

[@arthurleino]

My Harley froze in the Philippines. Piston rusted to cylinder, little oil squirted down plug holes and ran again!

[@JuanGarcia-nq3js]

Do you put the spark plugs back in after lubrication process before you try starting the bike?

[@JuanGarcia-nq3js]

@mrmaxstorey

[@tiltonbrewer4545]

Do a video of a v twin carb , i have a vtx honda 1300 single carb ,unless they're all the about the same.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Tilton Brewer What would the configuration of the carb have to do with un seizing a motor?

[@dankoch2010]

Really excellent video. Thanks.

[@jheovannyfernandez2416]

My carb caught on fire when I started my bike then after using dirt and waterto put it out just the gas lines were burned but my kick start got stuck would you happen to know why

[@mrmaxstorey]

You may have hydrolocked the motor with the water. Try taking out all the spark plugs and kick it over a few times to clear it out. Next time dont throw dirt and water in your motor, have a good fire extinguisher on hand

[@mrmaxstorey]

You may have hydrolocked the motor with the water. Try taking out all the spark plugs and kick it over a few times to clear it out. Next time dont throw dirt and water in your motor, have a good fire extinguisher on hand

[@BIT1FFY]

GREAT educational video!! Thanks

[@sergioernandez1]

Ok Wd 40 and pb blaster! I got it turning now whats next just change the oil or do I throw anything inside the cylinde to clean up the pb and the wd 40?? Some help here plzzz

[@TravisL.Desmadreson]

Great video. Well done.

[@gyreeene]

Great video. I just came into a 1970 BMW R5 that hasn't run in 30+ years. Will this method work?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Its worth a shot

[@jfields1134]

Hey so I got a 77 sportster hasn't ran in at least I'd say 5 years.(oil was changed before it sat)Been stored in garage then my shed when I got it. Putting a chain on it tomorrow. Should I try rocking method first with out lube in cylinders? Or just spray it and let it sit overnight?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Always lube it up first before you attempt to rotate a dry motor

[@prav401]

The stator and starter gears looked very clean despite the residue in the oil. Whats your take on a bike that was in salt water for 3-4 hours? (Hurricane sandy) its a 74 cb 550 that had some work done on it . Top end rebuild and a bunch of other stuff. I took the plugs out, kicked it over , a little water spit out , put plugs back in , it started up. I drained the oil, didnt see any white salt residue. changed the oil and filters 2 times. I think im ok, rode it many times since, but i'm still waiting for the UNSEEN bug to rear its head... any thoughts?

[@mrmaxstorey]

If it was only submerged a short time, and you changed the oil several times since and it is still running good, then Id say you escaped any real damage. Flooded bikes and especially saltwater flooded bikes usually seize much harder and have lots of corrosion, but I think you are gonna be ok

[@prav401]

mrmaxstorey Cool thanks dude! Please keep the vids coming!

[@freemarketjoe9869]

I have a 2006 Kawasaki ex250 with a seized motor. i took off the stator cover to expose the bolt connected to the crank. It is not the small bolt with the large bolt behind it, like on your Yamaha, only a 12mm bolt that unscrews counter clockwise, and barely budges going clockwise, until it gets so tight i dare not push it any further. I think, looking at parts blowup, this is connected to the crank, but it is small and looks fragile. Doesn't the Ninja have a crank bolt to try and unseize the thing? There are no video out there on Ninja 250 motors being free'd up. The local dealer said an engine rebuild is more expensive than the bike is worth and he could try and figure it out but 95.00 an hour to do it. Any thoughts on how to handle these 250 cranks?

[@mrmaxstorey]

Well yknow you can try to put it in gear and rock the bike back and forth to free it up, but honestly it makes a lot more sense to me to just replace the motor. You can buy a used motor on ebay for 200-300 and put it in yourself in 3 hours or so, these bikes its really easy. I have a few videos up of motor swaps and removal/installations, they are mostly on 4 cyl motors but the concepts are the same

[@psFAN4LIFE]

Always nice to watch :)

[@bodawaysurvival9119]

What about a bike seizing from a lack of transmission oil. Like two strokes.

[@sbieramark1633]

Hi there ! Nice video, did you manage to unseized it after all ? I just bought a Vmax with a seized engine

[@mrmaxstorey]

yeah we got it eventually

[@nicjennings8137]

I have a honda 80cc dirt bike that is seized. Should all of these methods apply for it.

[@maxstorey1676]

Go for it

[@yasiinnahkier4370]

Nic I'm going threw the same shit my kick start won't move at all hmu if you find out anything new [e-mail] please

[@fashionstreet1]

I have a 250cc scooter and my motor seized the electric and alarm works fine but the engine want turn over when I try to start it,I was going to install a new engine and everyone says the engine is gone,any suggestions please?

[@southside1975]

this bike dont have many miles on it does it that stator looks like new

[@g41thomas]

Wow lots of water in that engine. I always sta away from any used bike that had any type of modification....😨😭

[@feverdream5184]

Is the pb blaster trick a good thing to do before starting up after being garaged for the winter?

[@mrmaxstorey]

alex davidiuk No only if the motor is seized

[@JeffB2063]

I was able to free up the motor but it freezes up again after I crank it over.2002 vmax 1200.Ihad to remove casing again and free with the breaker bar.

[@lma2256]

Max, (I'm assuming you're still in CA) That oil spill on the concrete, you have to call HAZMAT and pay a toxic materials collection fee! :D

[@eragonshadeslayer1]

What kind of seizure would this be ( I was riding my Yamaha yz476f 73mph and all was great until immediately I hear some banging around in the motor and the back wheel locks up, but it will still shift through gears but the wheel will not move and it won't turn over?

[@mrmaxstorey]

This method will not help you. Likely you need a new motor

[@Towsejames]

Hi, I know it isn't related much to this video, but can you fit any universal master cylinder to a bike for the front brake, or does it have to be manufacturer parts

[@mrmaxstorey]

I swap master cyls around between bikes all the time. You gotta keep the same banjo bolt or at least have one thats the same size, but yeah master cyls dont have to be from the same manufacturer

[@muhammadmohsin3321]

Is it possible for timing jump or Tappets to cause not being able to crank by hand?

[@mrmaxstorey]

yes

[@muhammadmohsin3321]

@@mrmaxstorey OK I'm a beginner, do you have a how to on one of your videos

[@deksam101]

Great video, but I need to know, did you get that bike [that I am jealous of BTW] running with just this procedure??

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Deksam101 Well, i busted free the motor with just this procedure. To get it running I also needed to cleant he carbs, repair electrical, etc

[@deksam101]

Awesome! Good work! So are you going to flip it, ride it or both?

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Deksam101 Lol this was over a year ago, its long gone

[@deksam101]

+mrmaxstorey Ok cool, Just a dream bike of mine is all. All I have is it's little brother, a 1985 Maxim-X 750.

[@tiltonbrewer4545]

what difference it makes unless you don't know about cleaning v twin carbs.

[@jasperkolian4776]

what if you get like a pop or back fire coming from the intake? So I removed the carbs and tried spraying starter fluid and then used pressed the starter button and got like a flame coming from the intake....

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah youll get that if you just spray starter fluid into the intake with no carbs. It could be a sign of timing off, fouled spark plugs, or no problem at all just drowned in starter fluid. Clean the carbs, replace the spark plugs, put it all back together and next time just spray a little starter fluid into the airbox if you are trying to start up the bike

[@mellamodiego8458]

i did something stupid and poured some regular oil down the pistons after taking out the spark plugs….what do you recommend i do…i probably put 4 oz in each hole.

[@mrmaxstorey]

We're you trying to unseize the motor?

[@mellamodiego8458]

@@mrmaxstorey yes

[@mrmaxstorey]

@@mellamodiego8458 ok it's no big deal you didn't hurt anything. Take a piece of small hose, put it in each spark plugs hole and suck out the oil until it empties, and then you can refill with something that might penetrate rust a little better

[@djohnson3678]

did u find out why it would not shift?

[@scal760]

Hi again you helped me on my jets . I now have a different issue. 1980honda cb750c dohc started fine. Started hearing a knocking noise. Tight end the cam chain. And still had noise over the #4 cylinder exhaust side. Noise got louder as I test drove it. I gave up and was taking it to a shop. Not far from my house and it shut off. No clunky noise just shut off. And now the bike won't turn on and crank won't turn manually. It's stuck what do you recommend

[@mrmaxstorey]

Is the motor stuck, or do you not have electrical power to the starter motor?

[@scal760]

mrmaxstorey the motor is stuck their is power going to motor I can hear it spin. . I can't turn crank case by hand

[@mrmaxstorey]

scal760 You may have thrown a rod. The repair I show in this video is unlikely to help you with your bike. Time for a complete rebuild or a motor replacement

[@kevinstearns4198]

water in the cylinders= rust? bottom end bearings will rust too i had a kx 250 that sat it rusted the bearings to shit rebuild time.

[@benmcbrien2919]

hey man thanks for the video really helpful :)

[@hertzkot]

respect to you brother!

[@mroakridgeboy9559]

Mr max I have a yamaha kodiak atv it sat for 2 years with a cover over it but its a automatic. and it has a pull rope should I try pulling it i stead of putting a breaker bar on i filled cycliner with wd40 it has been in it for 3 days .. what do you think

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Mr ace Sure go ahead but don't yank that pullstart until the rope breaks. If you take off the pullstart assembly you'll see the flywheel bolt and you can put your breaker bar on that if you need to

[@JEHERETIC]

Great video thanks man!!!

[@Rb25patrol]

I have a 2013 stomp with a stuck piston, i have dropped the engine out and turned it upwards so the piston is facing up and filled the spark plug with WD40, the kickstart wont budge and it doesnt like rolling in gear so i guess it is the piston. If i can manage to unseize it, what should i do next? And what should i do with all of that WD40 in the engine?

[@Rb25patrol]

(It has been stood up for almost a year, with weather and moisture around it)

[@mrmaxstorey]

Tom Walduck The WD40 will blow out if you run it with the spark plugs out. Just be sure to lubricate it well, turn it over a bunch of times,a nd follow up with a compression test after