zrt 800 piston problem - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

zert0 · 10-30-2009, 09:39 PM

i took of my pipes today to get get silencer of to change my chain tensioner and looked in side my center cylinder through the exhaust port and saw chips off the front of the piston. they are righ on the front top edge of piston. they are about a 1/8 in or so what could have caused this. the other 2 look perfect can it be run still or is it garbage.

snowpilou · 10-30-2009, 10:37 PM

change it..!fast..my dad sled ''pantera 800'' did the same and the piston ring came out!...almost brake another thing so..change it..

Mrdman2442 · 10-30-2009, 10:46 PM

Triples can easily overheat the center cylinder, this is a sign of pending engine failure. Old fuel or leaned out carbs can cause detonation which will chew up your pistons till it blows apart. The center piston shows signs first as heat builds up easier there. If they are just small dents pistons will be fine as long as you fix the dirty carbs ect. If they are chips the damaged parts have to be replaced also.
Run it and risk totaling the engine.

**kccats** · 10-31-2009, 10:27 AM

Pull it down and post pics and we'll try to help you figure it out!

sae1722 · 11-01-2009, 08:45 PM

I was told on my ZR600EFI that Cat had a recall on some pistons for the top ring gland breaking out, which happened to mine. I had to get another jug, piston and head to fix it. Replace yours before you ruin a jug.