| Author | Message | ||
     Torontobuell |
Hi, It appears I have a leaky head gasket. Around half a litre of oil weeps out per 1000km. The fan is getting a good soaking. If was to fix this, is it possible to do it by rotating the engine? Or, is it easier to fix it with the frame removed, or the engine removed. Your help would be appreciated. B | ||
| Mark_weiss |
You can gain access with engine rotation. It is more likely the valve cover gasket than the cylinder head though. Check to see if the exhaust oxygen sensor is getting wet. If so, the problem is more likely the valve cover as the sensor is above the head gasket. | ||
| Torontobuell |
Cheers, I've checked a few times to make sure it is the head gasket and not the valve cover gasket. Cleaned it and puffed some powder to see where the wet spot it. Any other tips? Anything would be appreciated. B | ||
| Tootal |
If it's the head gasket you're probably losing some compression. That usually makes a very high tweeting sound until it blows completely then it sounds expensive!! It will also have a very bad smell of burned gases. I doubt that oil is coming from a head gasket as the oil running back down from the head is not under any great pressure to cause a leak. Then again, nothing is impossible! | ||
| Uly_man |
"Cleaned it and puffed some powder to see where the wet spot it." This sounds like a new method of compression testing along the lines of "Billy Bonkers and His Chocco Factory". Sorry Dude that will not work. It could be lots of things and may be as simple as the rear head breather plug has come loose. This would dump oil to the back of the engine and be drawn through the fan. I am off to "Puff" my Uly. Nothing like a good Puff me thinks. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I Think from my small knowledge it's the rocker cover, i used some engine silicone on a friend bike, but i think the best way is to half fill the grove where the gasket goes with silicone to push the gasket a bit out, and make a much better seal, i have to do it on my friends bike again. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Its generally the rocker cover, as noted above, or can also be the grommet on the very top that holds the PCV valve. Either are relatively easy to fix. And putting ("puffing") powder on the engine to detect where the leak is coming from is perfectly valid. Clean the engine thoroughly, dry it, powder it, and go for a short ride. The powder soaks up the beginning seeps of fluid without letting it run down or downwind, allowing you to zero in on where it's actually coming from. | ||
| Uly_man |
That is true Ratbuell but he said he was sure it was the head gasket. Mind you who knows? Advise? Do a compression test first, as its easy and if its the rocker cover, or other drop the engine and replace all seals you can. No point doing anything less once you have the engine at hand as its false economy. People can use what they wish but I would not advise using any sort of "make your own" DIY type gasket IE silicone or other branded type sealer in a engine. It can block oil galleries and cause big bills. A dab of Hylomar on a gasket can be ok if you know what you are doing. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
silicone i mentioned was to put on the grove where the gasket goes as the orange gasket is a bit thin so if you add the silicone to the grove it will make the gasket go a bit further out, and seal much better with out blocking any oil galleries | ||
| Towpro |
when it comes to gasket material, Silicone is a generic term anymore. Since Silicone destroys 02 sensors, look for something that says Oxygen Sensor-Safe. Why compound your problems by using something that can cause you more problems later? (Message edited by towpro on November 07, 2011) | ||
| Pontlee77 |
Shoulden't be any problem as it goes no where near the O2 sensor, and it's largely used in cars top end rebuild. But of course every one decides what to do on their bike. Fortunately un my 45K kilometers i haven't suffered it, but on two 07 bikes i've seen it happen. |
