Head gasket leak

[newmaac]

Here is an odd one, (at least to me).
1980 SG 55k miles, top end re-worked just last year.

I have been seeing a significant oil leak @ the front of my motor. With the wind blowing it around it is not easy to spot exactly where it is from.
Tonight I sprayed it down with simple green and rinsed it off. I started it and let it idle for about 10 minutes, to dry everything.
When I shut it off, I heard what sounded like a boiling sound.
I think that the oil was actually boiling!!
I could see small bubbles forming both at the head gasket and the valve cover gasket.
So, now I know that I have to pull the head again, (Sh;t!!),
but I am wondering if I should be looking for something more than just a few gaskets.
The gurgling and hissing sound would make me think about too much crank case pressure, but on this bike I have the crank case vent totally open to the air. A long time ago I followed a tech tip that I saw, and removed the vent tube that is supposed to go to the airbox, filtered it, and let it breathe below the airbox. Recently when I saw that the filter was getting old, I simply removed it, letting the crankcase breathe entirely.

While I have the top end off again, is there something else that I should check that might cause exessive heat or pressure?


Thanks in advance.

Mike

[Ken Talbot]

Whoa there, Mike, I don't think your oil is boiling. That would take some horrendous amount of heat.

I think you're seeing residual water or cleaner dribbling down from somewhere, collecting in the slight recess at theose two gasket surfaces, then it is boiling away.

[newmaac]

LOL. Can you tell that I was freaking out???

I can just see Ken chuckling while reading my frenzied post. LOL

It never occured to me that it just might be a little smokey, if I was truely boiling oil.

Once again, cooler heads prevail. Cooler heads... get it?? I crack me up!

Thanks Ken,

Mike

[mro]

Did you re-torque the head after you did the original work?
Might check it again too.


mro
BTW, don't let the engine sit idleing for more than a few minuets without a fan blowing across the engine.

[79XS11F]

Ken is likely correct but check the torque on the head nuts to be safe and do a compression test while your at it.
Rob