Honing Nakasil Cylinders

[maxwell]

typically when i rebuild skidoo engines they have damaged cylinders so this isnt an issue. However i took one apart for a friend and the cylinder is in perfect shape so we just want to freshen up the top end.

Doing some research some guys are saying dont hone the Nakasil cylinders just clean them with scotchbrite and some are saying yes thats fine to hone them.

Thoughts? Motts said they do hone them. i trust their opinion but still looking for input.

 

[Luke The Drifter]

I've only ever used a scotchbrite pad to deglaze the cylinder with no issues. If the nikasil was flaking/chipping off then it should be sent out and replated.

 

[Clode]

You don't hone nickasil, if cylinder has damage you can catch a finger nail on send it to a repair center. I highly recommend Mongoose machine in Vancouver

 

[TDR]

Sean you can hone them but it has to be with a diamond hone not a ball hone. Also it must be a very light hone because the nikisil is very thin. Otherwise if the original hone still looks good search the net as there is a specific color scotch pad to use but I don’t recall which one. Either works but obviously honing has some risks if the person doing it isn’t careful.

 

[Summitric]

sean you can hone them but it has to be with a diamond hone not a ball hone. Also it must be a very light hone because the nikisil is very thin. Otherwise if the original hone still looks good search the net as there is a specific color scotch pad to use but i don’t recall which one. Either works but obviously honing has some risks if the person doing it isn’t careful.

exactly what tdr says ^^^^^

 

[pfi572]

Exactly what TDR has said

 

[Frankenytro]

Scotchbrite and hot water with grease cutting dish soap mixed in. The crosshatch will come right back to life and be ready for another couple thousand boosted Km’s. As said above only ever hone when the plating has been redone.

 

[oler1234]

Hone it. Just don’t go crazy and you will be fine.

 

[NoBrakes!]

white scotch brite can be used on Babbitt bearing surfaces and leaves no debris behind. ATF/Varsol mix to lube.

 

[JMCX]

I'm in the no hone camp. If there's no damage, your last set of rings have finished those cylinders to a more optimal state. Done this many times and strong motors were the result.

 

[brian h]

Sean you can hone them but it has to be with a diamond hone not a ball hone. Also it must be a very light hone because the nikisil is very thin. Otherwise if the original hone still looks good search the net as there is a specific color scotch pad to use but I don’t recall which one. Either works but obviously honing has some risks if the person doing it isn’t careful.

agree

 

[Rotax_Kid]

I won't hone a nikasil. Sometimes it's a bit thinner than others and I wouldn't take the risk of honing it right off unless you go into this expecting worst case - your going to replate anyways

 

[j.c.higgins]

I’ve had Tom hone many cylinders for me over the years! Never an issue! If it’s a high miler I’d do it.

 

[Jorg Jorgenson]

I’ve had Tom hone many cylinders for me over the years! Never an issue! If it’s a high miler I’d do it.

Tom at Mott’s has done three Pro 800 engines for us (insert Polaris joke here) and has always treated us well and knows his stuff. I’d trust his judgement. When I pulled my last engine apart to re-built (by choice, not from DET) they did a light hone even though there was not much for scarring present on the cylinder walls. Just freshened it up

 

[catrutt]

There are different hone stones as well fine /corse, also makes a difference if the stone has been used or not as to how rough it is on the cylinder. I would say a fine used stone with light spring pressure would be good or stotch brite

 

[Caper11]

Muratic acid will take any aluminum deposits off the cyl walls.

 

[slededjr]

Muratic acid will take any aluminum deposits off the cyl walls.

I have a couple of bottles of that. Works very well.

 

[Clode]

I have a couple of bottles of that. Works very well.

the ultimate sinus cleaner lol

 

[pfi572]

the ultimate sinus cleaner lol

And sterile drug for fellas . Lol

 

[slededjr]

LMAO. It does a great job of clearing the sinuses