Have this Kawasaki FS600V that has bent pushrods. Had a loss of power and hard starting issues. Pulled out the parts cannon, new spark plugs didn't help but were needed (more on that later), cleaned the carb but that didn't help, replaced with a new carb and that didn't solve the issues. Hmmmm, coils?? Replaced both coils and still reluctant to start. Pulled the valve/rocker covers off and saw bent pushrods on both cylinders! So, back to the spark plugs. I live in an Airpark and have really easy access to 100LL AvGas. When I originally pulled the spark plugs, they were pretty much lead fouled but that wasn't the problem. What I did find was that the valve guides had migrated upwards out of the head, enough so that the rocker arms have made contact thus bending the pushrods.
This is a sign of overheating. The cylinder fins are clean under the cooling shroud so I'm thinking that the 100LL AvGas must burn hotter than MoGas thus overheating. Two new complete heads one the way and a MoGas diet from now on.
This is a sign of overheating. The cylinder fins are clean under the cooling shroud so I'm thinking that the 100LL AvGas must burn hotter than MoGas thus overheating. Two new complete heads one the way and a MoGas diet from now on.
