Re: Sand in center cylinder

> wha?
>
> that's a great diagnosis.  did the tech not provide you with an
> explanation as to a vector of entry?  that's the first question i'd get
> asked if i told somebody that.
>
> maybe i'm forgetting something.
>
>
> through the plug hole....(?)
>
> through the intake, which you cannot really see 'cause it's buried under
> that ridiculous exhaust....
>
> through the exhaust, did you flood the unit or something?
>
> if a gasket was compromised eough to pass sand throught it, the sand
> wouldn't get a chance 'cause the water would take care of business long
> before...  i'd think...
>
> do you have any pictures>>?????
>
>
> through the exhaust because it lines up with center cylinder could be
> remotely possible, but damn that's odd.
>
> chances are if they rebuild without finding out EXACTLY what happened
> you're looking at another hosed-ass cyl again.
>
> the guy who works next to me basically says 'water ingestion' at any
> type of piston failure, and it drives me nuts.  then the engine kills
> itself again and he gets all pissed ( as does the customer)
>
> make sure they do their homework.
>
> greg

The only information I have is what was written on my invoice.  It stated a
center cylinder rebuild due to sand in the fuel system.  I had the carbs
cleaned and rebuilt and rode it for 30 mins before it would not restart.
The mechanic drove to the beach where I was and pulled the plugs, trying to
get it started.  In addition to him dropping the plugs into the ocean, the
salt water was splashing up onto the engine and into the plug holes while
the plugs were pulled.  After putting the plugs back with no success on it
restarting, he poked his head around and said that my choke had stuck.  It
started up and I rode it 30 mins back to the marina.

I was expecting to have the stuck choke serviced and be right back on the
water quickly, instead I was down a month and  received an invoice for $510
for a center cylinder rebuild due to "sand in the fuel system".  As
mentioned above, I had just had the carbs cleaned and rebuilt due to
sluggish performance and was riding it for the first time for about 30 mins
before it would not restart.  I know that salt water/sand was splashed into
the plug holes while he was trying to get it running at the beach.  I was
just curious if there were any other methods or ways that the sand could
have entered the fuel system and/or caused damage to the cylinder,
especially since I had just had it serviced and rode on open water prior to
it not restarting.  I don't believe I did anything that may have contributed
to getting sand into the fuel system.