My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Need help from a fellow owner, something to air - discuss away!

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SteveRST
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations BROKEN ENGINE [update on Page 4]

Postby SteveRST » Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:06 pm

Update: Engine busted - Sept 2021

Well, it's been 2 years since I've updated this thread. In that time my Westfield Megabusa turbo has actually been pretty well behaved! Quite a few track days done, no major issues... until now!

A few weeks ago myself and SteveB (another megabusa!) were at the TKC track day at Blyton Park. On the back straight my car suddenly lost power and it felt like it was just running on 3 cylinders. My initial thought was something electrical, but as I nursed it back to the pits I heard the tap-tap-tap of mechanical gremlins. I parked up, jumped out for a listen and at that point there was a sudden clank and the engine stalled. The engine wouldn't turn over again after that. The removal of the spark plugs gave a clue as to why.
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So at that point the car was loaded onto the trailer and I called it a day (new trailer, first time I'd ever used it!).
Also - Many thanks to SteveB for the passenger rides and letting me have a drive of his 'busa.
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Fast forward a week, and I've got the cylinder head off and saw pretty much what I'd expected to see.
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So, one of the valves has bent and the valve head has eventually snapped off and wrecked the cylinder head, smashed valve guides, bent the other valves, and smashed the piston.
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So, for the second time now, the hayabusa engine is out and undergoing open heart surgery.
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The engine crank case has to be split in order to get to the bottom-end gubbins and the gearbox. There are 30 bolts securing the upper and lower crank cases, so pretty important to make a note of what goes where!
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That came apart pretty easily actually. A lot less force required that the last time. Everything looks OK in here, no bits of metal or anything.
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Piston #2 won't live again, that's for sure! Time for me to take stock and consider the next plan of action.
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Steve
Last edited by SteveRST on Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Westfield Zetec turbo & Westfield Megabusa turbo

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SJLB
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby SJLB » Tue Sep 21, 2021 7:08 pm

Good work Steve. Once again you've dived straight in. At least if mine goes bang I'll know where to get advice.
Steve
Westfield Megabusa, Bromley, Kent.

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ChrisL
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby ChrisL » Wed Sep 22, 2021 10:18 am

What is it with Busa engines, all going well then two break at once!
Hopefully it's salvageable.... Not sure if it's just me but I can't see the pics?
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Kegco
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby Kegco » Wed Sep 22, 2021 11:33 am

Sorry to hear this Steve, hopefully not to painful on the wallet, to get back on the road
Same, couldn’t see pic’s
Best of luck
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SteveRST
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby SteveRST » Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:14 pm

The pics should be working now. My mistake in thinking I could hotlink images from my Google Photos - it worked fine when I viewed, but obviously not for anyone else.
Westfield Zetec turbo & Westfield Megabusa turbo

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nelmo
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby nelmo » Fri Sep 24, 2021 4:37 pm

Isn't this always going to be a problem with a BEC? You're using an engine designed to move 200kg in a 600kg car?

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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby locost220 » Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:38 pm

Can see the pics now, Shame to hear about this but good to see you cracking on.
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby ChrisL » Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:59 pm

Ahh that's not as bad as I was expecting from the description, a couple of new valves, buff out the top of the piston with a flappy wheel and you're good to go :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Wingco
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Re: My Megabusa - trials & tribulations [update on Page 4]

Postby Wingco » Sat Oct 02, 2021 11:10 am

Shame to see this Steve, glad you have got stuck in again and getting it sorted. I don't no anything about bike engines but is this a weak area ? is there an upgrade from standard to make it stronger ?
Hope it all goes well Steve, keep the updates coming.
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