Bad report for the HE23HP...

[Gopedder02]

I have sent my HE23HP engine to Douglas ( respectable person from ESP, and on GPN) for engine porting, case porting, matching everything, and smoothing everything out. He calls me today, stating that the bearings/crank are very wore only after about 10-12 gallons of 95 + octane fuel, and running a 25:1 oil ratio using R50 Klotz Racing Oil. He says there is slop between the bearings and crank, and it has significant wear on them. We have both discussed that the crank/bearings shouldn't wear out so soon for every day cruising around. I am very very dissapointed in saying this, but I am very dissatisfied with the superior line of engines. Yet, it could be due to my riding/crusing ways, but I highly doubt it. I will be replacing it with a brand new Zenoah Crank, bearings, and seals due to this. I hope one of ADA's associates come's across this so I can discuss this with them. I do not have pictures yet, as soon as this gets cleared up, I will get pics ASAP. I hope people would advise on what engine they choose. Also, Doug has seen this on another HE23HP he has worked on as well. This is very bad news for the superior line of engines. I hope you will consider this, and either help me out, and revising this, and/or letting people know on what they can do to avoid this. I am a very disappointed person now due to ADA's lack of time not investigating this problem. I hope you will consider this, and help me out. Thank you.

Chris.

[pedhead7]

I have a G230RC by Zenoah. Your lucky to get that much out of your bearings. I go through them much quicker than that on
110 leaded octane with Amsoil. I jump a lot and thats why though..... Do you do any Jumping? A just slightly bent crank can destroy your bearings very quickly. Luckily its not to hard to true a crank out.

[Go-GhEtTo]

Ive had my He23hp for about a year and a half now and i ran yamalube with 91 octane broke 1 carnk in it and my bearings are fine... i juts now replace my spark plug and there is absolutley no crabon in my cylinder and just a little on top of the piston. I ride around for minutes WOT and i have not seized it yet. I am very satisfied with the HE23hp and would reccomend it to anyone.

[WVGo-ped]

I also have a HE23 and i love mine...

[CBlakeNS]

Hmm I like my 0rc

[Gopedder02]

I would defently take the time, and grab ahold of your spindal, and see if it moves, if there is any slop between it, then your crank and bearings are worn. If there is significant moving then I would replace them. If you are going to replace the crank and bearings, replace the seals as well.

[PSI]

Bearings & Oil

Notice that the two guys that think that their bearing life is to short are both using Synthetic Oils. Past experiences with synthetics in high rpm 2 strokes are not all favorable. Chose a good petroleum based oil. Make sure your air filters are serviced and not letting in dirt.

These engines operate from 16-18,000 RPMS and bearings and seals must be checked, inspected, and replaced. the best time is to do that before they fail, not after you have had a catastrophic engine failure. Bearing failure is not relative to the brand of the engine. Zenoah nor Superior do not make the bearings that wear out or fail.

We rebuilt Personal Watercraft racing crankshafts for years, and Amzoil was about the worst oil we encountered on crank bearings. The wear on crank bearings with synthetics can be accelerated.

[pedhead7]

Originally posted by Gopedder02
I would defently take the time, and grab ahold of your spindal, and see if it moves, if there is any slop between it, then your crank and bearings are worn. If there is significant moving then I would replace them. If you are going to replace the crank and bearings, replace the seals as well.

Who are you talking to?


So amsoil isnt good??? Ive had nothing but good luck with it.
I use castor 927 for breaking everything in then I switch over to amsoil. What would be a good alternative to amsoil???

[PSI]

Amzoil Experience

I used to work for a company that rebuild thousands of Crankshafts for Professional racers. We had 3 or 4 customers that thought they liked Amzoil. Repeatedly, their crankshaft bearings were in rough shape when they came in for rebuilding. We saw this happen repeatedly with more than one user. There are a couple of critical things that have to do with how an oil works. That is RPM and Application. Without getting lengthy here, Amzoil may work in other applications, but not in Personal Watercraft and not in small high RPM applications.

[Gopedder02]

Well, do you reccommend a castor oil? If so, then this will be good. Also, will I be able to get a rebate or a store credit for ADA due to this? I would like a new crank, I have discussed this problem with many people, and they all say that cranks in ANY small engines shouldn't ware out with less that 10-12 gallons of use. I would be willing to ship you the wore crank and any other information that you need. Thanks.

[PSI]

Ask ADA

You need to ask ADA or whoever you purchased the engine or parts from. You may also have to provide them with the serial number to the engine. I think there is a warranty procedure on the ADA Website. I was just trying to be helpful with the oil. I am not from ADA, but PSI. You need to check on the warranty policy of whomever the engine was purchased from.

[Jeff23]

My zenoah crank bearings were shot after 5 gallons!! No problems with my superior ones yet. I have alreayd owned 2 superior engines and am buying a 3rd very soon

[Redneckride]

i hate Synthetic oil and my superior engines both my he23hp and my he26hp run great my old zenoah lh bearings went out a mested up my hole engine

[65shelby]

I also agree amsoil is not a good oil. I am not refering to 2 stroke engine oil however. I am a professional race engine builder and machinist. A customer of mine tried to use it in his engine many years ago. The engine did not live very long. It came back with bearing scuffing, and a damaged crank. I repaired the engine, and used standard oil in it and had no problems after that.

I have built over 1000 engines and have had a very good success rate. Less than a hand full of engines have come back into my shop after being sent out.

[sick-fast]

quit being to pissed off at the bearings, they lasted pretty damn long, and its not anyones fault you didnt check the bearings, if you change the ring in it check bearings while your inside the motor, i dont think theyre too expensive, good luck with the next set