ATC 250es 1986 not getting oil in the head

[Trike4head]

Hello folks, I recently recovered a 23years old abandonned 1986 atc 250es. The ATC was purchased brand new in 1986 by my family's farm and was abandoned in 1997-1998.I pulled the bike from its grave and get it running after hours of tinkering around but there is no oil going to the head and the oil filter is dry. Where should I start looking? Could it be a clogged gallery or junk oil pump? I need help thank you.

[Shep1970]

First off clean the engine, if theres any signs that someone in the last 35 years used RTV, or any silicone on gaskets or instead of gaskets and u see any old/new remnants squishing out from engine cases/covers ya i'd guess plugged oil passage. Squishing out on outside=same on inside and breaks off and clogs things "if" thats your issue.
Don't run it until u figure it out damage will happen pretty fast.


I dont know a heck of alot about that machine can the oil filter be installed backwards? or is it just the internal spinner type.
I assume theres oil in it:D
how do u know its dry/no oil up there? excessive noise? maybe it was parked yrs ago for a reason?

shep

[Trike4head]

Hi Shep1970. Thanks for your answer. Yes it was parked because of an head issue they had, the previous head on it was all eated up because of oil starvation. I put a good condition head on it to see if the passage blocked was in the head but indeed it was not. Also, yes the oil filter can be installed backwards on this bike but I installed it according to the owners manual so its alright. After running the engine for about a minute, I removed the valve covers tapped to see if there was any oil in there and there was, but barely any. The only oil remaining was the one I put after replacing the head. The head is also noisy when starting.

[Shep1970]

Maybe its time to open up the side where the oil pump is (right side sitting on bike) "i think". Maybe the oil pump chain broke? sounds like u need to do some investigating, pop the side cover off and take a look i guess thats where i'd start.

shep

[350for350]

Check to see if the oil filter is installed backwards. It looks like the same one as a 350X uses and if you install that one backward, it won't get oil to the head.

[Trike4head]

It doesnt get oil to the oil filter at all even without a filter on. Could it be a dead oil pump or simply a clogged passage?

[shortline10]

Theirs a sump screen filter on the right side of the motor that could be clogged , also pull the oil pump apart and investigate . All of this is behind that right side cover .