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Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:20 pm
by servetakid
Ok, guys... Went for a ride on my newly rebuilt and tuned rapido 225 and it has completely gone.
From my investigation, the con-rod has completely given up near the small end bearing. I'm not sure why as the small end is intact, piston isnt siezed, but not sure about the big end. The con-rod has destroyed the piston, scored the barrel and put a hole in my cases. So wanting to know what people think on where to get the cases repaired? how much this would likely to cost? and is the barrel savable?
Here are some pics of the cases;
Here is the barrel;
Here is the piston;
I'm just after some peoples opinions on the best course of action. Something like this is gut wrenching after the amount of hours i've put into getting this scooter how i wanted it.

Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:26 pm
by bsso78
Nothings f@@ked if it can be welded its just balancing out the cost of welding and machining against the cost of buying new parts.
Is that a pair of shims on the small end?
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:30 pm
by joeswoonara
my sympathy`s mate

might be quicker to source a new casing and get that one repaired at your leisure as it`s gonna have to be stripped anyway to repair it.........what crank was it ?
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:31 pm
by DigDug
bsso78 wrote:Nothings f@@ked if it can be welded its just balancing out the cost of welding and machining against the cost of buying new parts.
Is that a pair of shims on the small end?
Certainly looks like it.
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:33 pm
by rosscla
Ouch, that must have give you a fright

how fast was it going when it let go?
What crank is that ? Done a lot of miles?
I'd say the barrel is probably beyond saving (economically that is).
The casings can be sorted out. MB and some others offer that service, but again you need to balance the cost of doing that, not gonna be less than a couple of hundred against the cost of another case, somewhere in the same range, so probably swims and roundabouts on that.
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:37 pm
by jonashford
take it to afs, will easily be less than £100. they did mine for £50 ish and there was more welding needed than that
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:38 pm
by Muttley McLadd
Pfft.. just a flesh wound.
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:43 pm
by servetakid
GP MECeur crank (but i believe not the race version, is the only difference the big end?)....
I was going about 55ish? Up hill at the time. It didnt lock up or anything...
I'm not bothered about the barrel, i was just wondering if people had seen worse saved without much cost?
Just to add, it may have been a tuned rapido classic. But it was still no power house and is running 17/46 gearing on a LI150 italian box.
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:56 pm
by servetakid
Eden wrote:where is the rod in the crank case pic? my eyes aint good! has it broke away on both ends?
I ran a case that had been repaired after a piston skirt came off, went round the back of the webs and smashed out of the case just under the bump stop. it ran ok for a few years but i changed the case due to paranoia. the case is reparable for sure!
Its sat between the two webs... Bent in a few places and i couldnt fish it too easily and gave up after a couple of attempts knowing i will have to take the whole thing out soon.
What would cause a con-rod to snap like that?
Re: Catastrophic Engine Failure - What Are my options?
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 7:59 pm
by ducksta
bin it and buy a vespa :anbrgin;