XT 600 Piston issues

[ajax]

Xt 600 Kick start

Bike died while driving, felt loss of compression when kicked over.
Pictures show piston/cylinder condition.

Any ideas how this happened? To prevent it happening again.
Oil level was fine.

Previously posted on top end noise. Which I thought was lifter. I replaced head and rocker box a few hundred miles ago but noise was still there.
Perhaps it was piston.

The cylinder is gouged up and piston is done.
What steps should I be looking to do, examine etc.

Greg

[Zergman]

Looks like a lack of oil to me...

Are you 100% sure the oil level was OK? The dip stick measuring is kind of stupid on this bike.

[turboguzzi]

shaise.... if it's oil related would expect to see also badly socred cam bearing and rocker surfaces. if cam journals look ok, might be serious dirt entering motor through broken rubber booths...

[Mezo]

Always at the back of the piston on XT`s, less oil? hottest part of the barrel?

Mezo.

[ajax]

Cam looks to be fine and there is quite a lot of oil in journals as well as what snuck past piston after it burned up.

Oil level is at high mark of dip.
Oil had about 500 miles.

[ajax]

Figuring this had something to do with the breakdown.

[*Touring Ted*]

Piston rings are very brittle. They snap easily and are only sold in a set.

There is no special tool that I know of.

You have to open them up and slide them over the piston. Do not twist them or they will snap. You will probably need a thin flat head screwdriver.

Be patient and don't rush it.

[Jens Eskildsen]

I've always just used my fingers, no problem at all...

[steveloomis]

Installing rings is pretty easy, oil control rings are the most difficult but patience pays. The rings will withstand the installation if you are careful.

[jjrider]

There is special ring pliers made to grip the ring ends and spread under control to stop snapping them , but I've always used my hands . Just have to go slow , spread as little as possible and don't twist anymore than absolutely necessary .

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...w4fhoC8rTw_wcB

[ajax]

Thanks guys

And to be clear. You can compress the rings by hand when putting into cylinder? Not needing a special tool?

Also what is the break in procedure for the new rings.

[*Touring Ted*]

You can reuse them and get lucky and you can re-use them and not. If it's been running in a bike them generally they're done in. Up to you...

Sent from my G7-L01 using Tapatalk

[Jens Eskildsen]

With all the trouble you had - Get a new one for sure.

[steveloomis]

I agree, replace it. It has been compressed once, will not compress more. Probably leak.... or not....

[ajax]

Cometic Gasket Top End Gasket Kit 97MM Bore Fits 88-96 Yamaha XT600 - Rakuten.com

Any thoughts? I need both gaskets.