ZDZ 80 problem
 

My 80 rv is about 8 years old...I noticed lately it started running hot. I dont have a temp guage, I noticed because t was smoking..Anyway it started running bad also. I found that the metal covering the spark plug wire had rubbed down to the cable..Finally the ignition started sparking at the magnet straight to the pick up..I realize the module is shot, but do you think this would cause the overheating?

RE: ZDZ 80 problem
 

I doubt it, in fact if the plug wire was a direct short to ground I'm surprised it ran at all.

Bill

RE: ZDZ 80 problem
 

Is it the blue head 80rv or one of the others? Do you have a picture of your installation/baffling? The ZDZs seem to require more attention to proper cooling than others to meet its basic cooling needs, and it doesn't take too much hot running to ruin your cylinder. You'll find the bore to no longer be 'true', and even a light scoring of the bore and new ring will be useless. Do you have any pictures of the piston skirt through the exhaust port? Have you pulled the cylinder and checked if the ring is stuck or beginning to?

RE: ZDZ 80 problem
 

I rebuilt it...It ran hot the last time with no cowling on it, then the ignition died..It ran perfect up to the last few minutes the ignition quit...It's not the blue head version..

RE: ZDZ 80 problem
 

Check for stuck rings and a proper ring end gap. If you rebuilt it with to little end gap it will run hot. Start with an end gap from .004 to .006". Look for melted aluminum stuck to the cylinder walls. If found, replace pistons and rings. UsE swimming pool (muraitic) acid and an acid brush to carefully remove the aluminum from the cylinder wall. Take appropriate safety precautions used when working with acids. Look to see if the plating on the cylinders has been worn through. If noted, replace cylinders. Check ignition timing for correct advance positioning. Check bearings for siezing or excessive play.