xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

[Douglas Rios]

My problem is with a 01´ xlt 1200.. it has about 100 hours of use , and this is the second time i have to change the piston because it got like broken on the side and scratched the whole cylinder.. I end up spendin like $700 and this is not the firts time it happens .. what could going on? why is it that my pwc is burning out the pistons so often ?

[uncle-buck]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

Are you running oil injection, or pre-mix?
When were the carbs rebuilt (most recently)?
Has your mechanic/tech performed a leakdown test of your engine?

Have you checked the SBT Technical Support thread on piston damage descriptions (with photos)?

[skraggy]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

Are the cylinders getting repaired before replacing the piston.....bored.And if so,are you doing all cylinders.

Check your reeds also....a broken reed could cause this.

Cylinders must be true (round) also,an eggshaped cylinder will definatlt cause wear on the side of the piston.Thats another reason I asked if the cylinders were getting bored.And if they are,are you sizing the new pistons to match the new bore ?

[Douglas Rios]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

I am running on fuel injection , when u mean my carbs rebuilt u mean taken apart and put back together? well if its that, about 3 months ago and since then the pwc hasnt had more than 15 hours of use. And yes the reed sets are brand new.. I dont want to buy the new cylinder and piston because Im affraid its just going to keep on burning them out.. what could it possibly be? this has happened twice , everytime I stop using my pwc for more than 2 months , and yes I run the flush kit . !

thank you

[bucsatc]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

Sounds like a bad PowerValve if you are tearing up the side of the piston. You need some WaveEater PV Clips.

[Douglas Rios]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

I have the waveeater clips ..I bought them after my first piston / cylinder went out , thinking that was the problem .. but the same thing happened again... could it be just lack of use ?

[chippy]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

did you solve the problem, because i have the same problem

[cody14]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

do the power valves need to be matched after boreing so that they dont hit the pistions or the correct clearances are their?

[Technical Support]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

Yes.

[chippy]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

i used a new bore and a new piston, i have no need to check the vale clearance.

[torquenut]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

My guess is you still have the catalatic conveter on.
Remove the connecting rubber piece at the stinger and water box. If you have white ashy looking pieces or big honey come pices your cat is bad .
Replace it with a D plate and dont forget to get the sensor bypass also.

[mikey20]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

If you have an oversized piston than you would need to make sure there is adiquate clearance for the power valve.A standard bore wouldn't require clearanced valves.

[chippy]

Re: xlt 1200 piston / cylinder damage

I'm out of cat only with D plate, i think i need to put bigger jets.