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How can I tell if my head gasket is stuffed?

PostPosted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 9:53 pm
by mick_dundee
Without pulling the whole farking bike to bits ideally as I don't really have the facilities here to do a proper job even if I had the mechanical competence...

I have an oil leak and shes overheating, suspecting head gasket but noticed coming back from Cranny the other day that the thermo fan isn't working so that will explain the overheating anyways...

All ideas appreciated :D

PostPosted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:07 pm
by Lainie
I don't know much about bike but cars I do. If they are the same I would suggest take a look at oil and see if it's milky. Compression test, if bike is over heating chances are that head may be warped. Check plugs and see if they are all the same or some are different.

PostPosted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:10 pm
by Smitty
head gasket....?

symptoms..maybe all maybe one

using water
water in ya oil
water level in overflow goes up (while riding) and down when stopped
hard to start
hard to start unless throttle is open
crappo spark plugs
coated spark plugs (pull 'em when cold and see if wet)
backfiring
lack of power
overheating
air bubbles in coolant
oil in water
unable to bleed cooilg system
oil on radiator cap
cooling fans not starting (air in contact with switch...not coolant)
seeping/weeping of coolant down outside of engine


that'll do :lol:

lots to check Mick

best way...go to a mechanic
and get him to use TeeKay Head chek
cheap...and conclusive



cheers

PostPosted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 10:18 pm
by mick_dundee
Smitty wrote:best way...go to a mechanic
and get him to use TeeKay Head chek
cheap...and conclusive
cheers


That's indeed what I want to do Smitty, popped into RR last week and tthey said wouldn't be able to touch it till this week, called Monday and we're at next week already :(

Called Inline, see if I could get in quicker, left a message on the answrering machine, noones bothered to call me back so guess i'll book it in at RR tomorrrow and see what the drill is.

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:38 am
by Strika
mick_dundee wrote:[
Called Inline, see if I could get in quicker, left a message on the answrering machine, noones bothered to call me back so guess i'll book it in at RR tomorrrow and see what the drill is.


Did you leave your name Mick??? maybe try leaving a false name......you may have more chance of a return phone call then!!! :lol:

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:50 am
by mick_dundee
Matters not now Marty am passing the gig onto RR :D

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:34 am
by Duane
hahahhaha. Mick, just ride it and if it dies it will atleast still look in showroom condition!!!

If it stalls all the time and hard to start, if you've let it over heat, etc, it's all been covered here. easiest way to figure it out though is if you've seen it go into the red on the heat gauge.

Re: How can I tell if my head gasket is stuffed?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:32 pm
by Mizz ZZR
mick_dundee wrote:All ideas appreciated :D


Really? Ok, here's one.....

Get a new bloody bike!

There comes a time when one has to accept that he can no longer continue with band aids. Mick, mate, let him die with dignity, he's served you well.

Re: How can I tell if my head gasket is stuffed?

PostPosted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:35 pm
by mick_dundee
Mizz ZZR wrote:
mick_dundee wrote:All ideas appreciated :D


Really? Ok, here's one.....

Get a new bloody bike!

There comes a time when one has to accept that he can no longer continue with band aids. Mick, mate, let him die with dignity, he's served you well.


It has indeed but don't actually have the $ for a new bike and not convinced it's dead yet...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:42 pm
by mick_dundee
Update: Drained oil, appears to be no water in it, however, did notice some metal filings attached to tip of sump plug (recently installed a magnetic one ofr exactly this reason).

Losing a gear??

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 4:46 pm
by Duane
How many filings??

I wouldnt worry too much over it (that would be me anyways)...

You getting false neutrals, or poping out of gear? etc?

If you're not just change oil..

how many km you done on that thing

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:03 pm
by mick_dundee
Bike has done 101000 Klm, i've done about 65000 odd of them I reckon.

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:42 pm
by Duane
new bike time

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:15 pm
by mick_dundee
That's what Kaz reckons too, problem is my finances aren't in accordance :( Wish they were...

PostPosted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:38 pm
by Duane
Wind the gauage back say 80,000km (that'll take you about 3-4 gmc drills) $80 bucks

Sand paper $10
Prepsol $20

5 cans of spray on paint from autobarn $100

A new screen from screens for bikes $100

Sell it for $6000