I would say your assumptions were correct. needs engine job doing if the head gasket hasn't gone (although this is most likely) the O ring seals on the cylinder liner have gone (only other place coolant can mix with oil) either way it's back to the drawing board.
My oil looks like chocolate milk
Hey guys,
I was on here a year ago now give or take with my swap into a go kart I got it running and driving last weekend. However lastnight I did a fresh oil change drove it for like 5 minutes opened her up in third gear and then it started bogging down same thing in second but once in first it acted better until it stalled about 500 ft later.
visually everything looks fine except for I cracked the oil drain bolt for shits and grins and my oil looks like chocolate milk (image below comparing to fresh oil).
it idles funny and inconsistently I’m thinking the head gasket may be allowing antifreeze and oil to mix and since antifreeze is too low once the motor got hot it started dying. Anyone able to confirm my assumption or guide me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.
country bratt
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I was on here a year ago now give or take with my swap into a go kart I got it running and driving last weekend. However lastnight I did a fresh oil change drove it for like 5 minutes opened her up in third gear and then it started bogging down same thing in second but once in first it acted better until it stalled about 500 ft later.
visually everything looks fine except for I cracked the oil drain bolt for shits and grins and my oil looks like chocolate milk (image below comparing to fresh oil).
it idles funny and inconsistently I’m thinking the head gasket may be allowing antifreeze and oil to mix and since antifreeze is too low once the motor got hot it started dying. Anyone able to confirm my assumption or guide me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.
country bratt
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Also could anyone help me determine what year my motor is? I keep seeing something about there should be an engraving or something on the motor but idk.
Okay, then I am on the hunt for a new head gasket.I would say your assumptions were correct. needs engine job doing if the head gasket hasn't gone (although this is most likely) the O ring seals on the cylinder liner have gone (only other place coolant can mix with oil) either way it's back to the drawing board.
Thank you!
the engine number is stamped on the top crankcase, you can reference this number with the Kawasaki data base for the exact year.
other than than that look at the engine, if it has only 4 fins on the head it's pre 89, if it has 5 it's after 89, then look at the centre bolt on the CCT if it's a 10mm head it's a gen 1 (pre 93) if it's 12mm head it's (post 94) to make absolutely certain screw out the top inspection bung on the timing case look at the rotor if it has exposed magnets it's a Gen 1 if their enclosed it's a gen 2 (post 94) after that it doesn't really matter as all gen 2 motors are the same.
other than than that look at the engine, if it has only 4 fins on the head it's pre 89, if it has 5 it's after 89, then look at the centre bolt on the CCT if it's a 10mm head it's a gen 1 (pre 93) if it's 12mm head it's (post 94) to make absolutely certain screw out the top inspection bung on the timing case look at the rotor if it has exposed magnets it's a Gen 1 if their enclosed it's a gen 2 (post 94) after that it doesn't really matter as all gen 2 motors are the same.
The chain tensioner is defiantly an 11mm head. The head has 5 fins and the valve cover is a black color I don’t know if that means anything. I have another motor that the valve cover is silver. This motors code is ex500ae118423. I just need to know if it’s gen 1 or 2 while working on this thing. Pretty sure the generational parts are going to be different.the engine number is stamped on the top crankcase, you can reference this number with the Kawasaki data base for the exact year.
other than than that look at the engine, if it has only 4 fins on the head it's pre 89, if it has 5 it's after 89, then look at the centre bolt on the CCT if it's a 10mm head it's a gen 1 (pre 93) if it's 12mm head it's (post 94) to make absolutely certain screw out the top inspection bung on the timing case look at the rotor if it has exposed magnets it's a Gen 1 if their enclosed it's a gen 2 (post 94) after that it doesn't really matter as all gen 2 motors are the same.
are you using the bog standard EX wiring and CDI, if so look if the box has a single plug or 2 plugs attached to it.
If I’m understanding correctly my cdi box has two separate pigtails going to it.are you using the bog standard EX wiring and CDI, if so look if the box has a single plug or 2 plugs attached to it.
Okay thank you. Time to spend too much money on seals. I figure get the head gasket and the valve cover gasket both replaced. So looking at 75 bucks probably.then it's a gen 2.
hi, @CountryBrat a question for you (may pose this to others) when looking for an engine to put in a buggy, cart. snowmobile, boat, or whatever else, what made you choose the EX500 engine for the job, been meaning to ask this for a long time but never got round to it.
considering the hassle of weight, water cooling, problems with carburation and wiring why the EX ???.
there must be dozens of alternative engines out there far better suited to the task. lighter air cooled less carb issues and simple wiring. so what makes the EX the surprise go to engine for this type of mod.
considering the hassle of weight, water cooling, problems with carburation and wiring why the EX ???.
there must be dozens of alternative engines out there far better suited to the task. lighter air cooled less carb issues and simple wiring. so what makes the EX the surprise go to engine for this type of mod.
Okay so personally speaking I love a challenge. This project was sold to me half done, a basket case, and the price was right. I was on market place looking for a new quad came across this for $500 and it came with almost everything to finish the job. I didn’t even know that this had been done before until I already had the project and started doing my research. Now I agree that there are a lot of monkey wrenches being tossed in causing problems and heartaches but at the end of the day I love a good challenge.hi, @CountryBrat a question for you (may pose this to others) when looking for an engine to put in a buggy, cart. snowmobile, boat, or whatever else, what made you choose the EX500 engine for the job, been meaning to ask this for a long time but never got round to it.
considering the hassle of weight, water cooling, problems with carburation and wiring why the EX ???.
there must be dozens of alternative engines out there far better suited to the task. lighter air cooled less carb issues and simple wiring. so what makes the EX the surprise go to engine for this type of mod.
now I do have another question. With my current situation if it was the head gasket shouldn’t the pipes be bellowing a fog like smoke?
not always no.now I do have another question. With my current situation if it was the head gasket shouldn’t the pipes be bellowing a fog like smoke?
ok so it wasn't your choice thanks anyway, always wondered though. a few years ago a mate was building a Hydro-plane but had no idea what to use for a power unit in the end we chose the unit out of a battered jet ski, that worked really well.Okay so personally speaking I love a challenge. This project was sold to me half done, a basket case, and the price was right. I was on market place looking for a new quad came across this for $500 and it came with almost everything to finish the job. I didn’t even know that this had been done before until I already had the project and started doing my research. Now I agree that there are a lot of monkey wrenches being tossed in causing problems and heartaches but at the end of the day I love a good challenge.
but given the scenario in modern times I could not think of a more unsuitable engine that could have been used than an EX unit.
Wizzing off in a completely different direction - has anyone else noticed what looks like the Mitsubishi stamp on the Ignition unit? I'm okay with that if it is!are you using the bog standard EX wiring and CDI, if so look if the box has a single plug or 2 plugs attached to it.
Ooh! You could have told me Yorkie! I feel more at ease now I know that!yes,
the gen 2 does have the Mitsubishi logo, the gen 1 doesn't unless I'm mistaken Toshiba makes those.
It usually results in the engine overheating with coolant spewing out the reservoir overflow.now I do have another question. With my current situation if it was the head gasket shouldn’t the pipes be bellowing a fog like smoke?
Before changing a head gasket review this thread>Lapping the head to repair a head gasket
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