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  • #1

    Head gasket leak?

    So I changed my head gasket a week ago. Last season I was seeing leaks basically all the way around the head. Not major leaks but over time it would build up. I checked the manual and didn't see any specs on torque settings for the head gasket. I went with 15lbs and I'm still seeing a small leak by the rubber plugs in the side just under the head gasket. Everywhere else the leak appears to have stopped.

    Questions:
    Is there a suggested torque for the head bolts?
    Is there a sequence for tightening the head bolts?
    I didn't find anything in the manual regarding the above.

    Could my leak be comming from the rubber plugs and not the gasket? Likelyhood?

    Thanks in advance.
    1979 XS 1100F
    Daily Rider
    DIY'r
    Minneapolis,mn
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Starting on page 61 in the clymer manual it goes through removal and install of the head. It is a 2 step tightening of the bolts, first 11 lbs ft then 25 lbs ft. Too hard to explain the order in words you will have to look at the pic.
    Nathan
    KD9ARL

    μολὼν λαβέ

    1978 XS1100E
    K&N Filter
    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
    OEM Exhaust
    ATK Fork Brace
    LED Dash lights
    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
    Green Monster Coils
    SS Brake Lines
    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

    Theodore Roosevelt

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by mrdigitech View Post
      So I changed my head gasket a week ago. Last season I was seeing leaks basically all the way around the head. Not major leaks but over time it would build up. I checked the manual and didn't see any specs on torque settings for the head gasket. I went with 15lbs and I'm still seeing a small leak by the rubber plugs in the side just under the head gasket. Everywhere else the leak appears to have stopped.

      Questions:
      Is there a suggested torque for the head bolts?
      Is there a sequence for tightening the head bolts?
      I didn't find anything in the manual regarding the above.

      Could my leak be comming from the rubber plugs and not the gasket? Likelyhood?

      Thanks in advance.
      Are you referring to the cam cover gasket, rather than the cylinder head gasket? The head gasket doesn't have rubber plugs near it
      XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

      Comment

      • #4
        Yes sorry my bad. The cam cover gasket.
        1979 XS 1100F
        Daily Rider
        DIY'r
        Minneapolis,mn

        Comment

        • #5
          My bad, didn't read that last line. Most don't even use the gasket there and use rtv instead. Even with the gasket you still need some rtv on the paper gasket to seal ny those rubber plugs
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

          Comment

          • #6
            There isn't really an official tightening sequence for the cam cover bolts although it's probably advisable to gradually tighten them starting with the inside ones and working outwards in a spiral. Tighten each bolt just a little amount equally and then go round again tightening them more. They don't need a lot of tightening. The Haynes manual doesn't give an official torque setting either but I usually tighten them up until the head 'bites' and then about 1/8th of a turn after that.... approx....... just until they feel firmly tightened without being under any undue strain. It's only a cover, not like a head gasket which has all those forces near it.....

            You can buy new 'rubber' plugs on eBay. They don't cost much. Personally, I prefer to use new gaskets rather than the RTV or equivalent. For two reasons.... firstly, some of the RTV type products are weird colours (eg orange) and you get some it splurging out of the joint and looking a bit DIY. Secondly, I've never ever had a problem with leaking gaskets when I've used commercially produced gaskets (which are not just paper, so I understand) whereas on the odd occasion when I've used RTV, I've had problems, especially on vertical joints with oil around (eg clutch casing).

            I just used Yamaha engine gaskets on my cam cover, clutch casing and the generator cover. They are quite thick, with a slightly waxy feel and they are completely reliable. They are a pale greeny colour and, when parts of them can be seen (eg on part of the clutch cover), it looks kind of professional (IMO). Of course, they do cost more than RTV etc though and this is something which can be relevant.
            Last edited by James England; 04-18-2011, 12:08 PM.
            XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

            Comment

            • #7
              general specs say 7.2 ft/lbs. for a 6mm bolt

              Former owner, but I have NO PARTS LEFT!

              Comment

              • #8
                I've never had a problem with leaking using Yamabond in place of gaskets, and actually seen more problems with gaskets, plus the problem of cleaning up the gasket material in between, as it tends to stick to both sides and rip itself to pieces, but Yamabond just peels right off so you can put fresh on each time, and it seals each and every time if done per the instructions. I've noticed that new bikes and cars don't even have gaskets anymore, they are put together with RTV and the like now.
                Cy

                1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                Vetter Windjammer IV
                Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                OEM Luggage Rack
                Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                Spade Fuse Box
                Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                750 FD Mod
                TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                XJ1100 Shocks

                I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Is Yamabond a clear substance? I've never used it. The RTV type stuff here is bright orange
                  XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Yamabond is gray/black.
                    Nathan
                    KD9ARL

                    μολὼν λαβέ

                    1978 XS1100E
                    K&N Filter
                    #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                    OEM Exhaust
                    ATK Fork Brace
                    LED Dash lights
                    Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                    Green Monster Coils
                    SS Brake Lines
                    Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                    In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                    Theodore Roosevelt

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by mrdigitech View Post
                      ...I'm still seeing a small leak by the rubber plugs in the side just under the head gasket. ...
                      Could my leak be comming from the rubber plugs and not the gasket? Likelyhood?

                      Thanks in advance.
                      Forum member XSCHOP makes alluminum half moon plugs that have a lip on the inside and outside of it and will replace the rubber plugs. As everyone has already stated, choose your favorite gasket maker and have at it. From what Ive read, even people using new rubber plugs use a little gasket maker on them.

                      I emailed sxchop about a week ago to ask him if he had plugs and got no response from him. If there is enough interest we could probably convince him to make a batch for us all... IIRC he was charging about $30 shipped for a set (2 plugs)...
                      Last edited by WMarshy; 04-18-2011, 02:29 PM.
                      '79 XS11 F
                      Stock except K&N

                      '79 XS11 SF
                      Stock, no title.

                      '84 Chevy K-10 "Big Blue"
                      GM 350, Muncie SM465, NP208, GM 10 Bolt with 3.42gears turnin 31x10.5 Baja Claws

                      "What they do have is an implacable, unrelenting presence and movement that bespeaks massive power lurking behind paint and chrome. They don't wail like a screeching ninja, the don't rumble like a harley. They just growl like a spactic, stressed out badger waiting to rip your face off and eat your soul." Trainzz~RIP~

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by James England View Post
                        Is Yamabond a clear substance? I've never used it. The RTV type stuff here is bright orange
                        Could be sold in the UK as Three Bond, it is here. Same stuff, same maker, different tube. Comes in different numbers and just at the moment I cant remember which one is the best for us to use. 1194 rings a bell but i could be wrong.

                        Do a search in the threads and you'll find one where me, Tod and Ivan had a considerable 'debate' over it being the same as Yamabond, and the merits of it's use.

                        I swear by it.
                        1980 SG. (Sold - waiting on replacement)
                        2000 XJR1300. The Real modern XS11. Others are just pretenders.

                        Woman (well, my wife anyway) are always on Transmit and never Receive.

                        "A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be" Albert Einstien.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Yes, threebond is the company that makes yamabond, and is often carried by yamaha dealers in place of yamabond. As a matter of fact, the first time I went in and asked for yamabond, I was handed a tube of threebond.

                          Stuff works great, and yes, it comes in grey and black, and it's easy to clean up so it leaves no residue (as does the RTV if you do the job right) so you can have a clean and neat job. I generally use either the black or copper RTV when I use RTV as well, but prefer the yamabond or threebond unless it's in an application for which the RTV is better (such as the spin on oil filter adapter, which it's glue like abilities help somewhat and with it being specified, I figured I would for just one time in my life actually follow instructions ).

                          Most of the time I just do things how I want to, like a bear with a sore tooth, (which I have BTW (sore tooth, not a bear with a sore tooth)), but being that this deals with the oil, pretty much at it's highest pressure in the system, I figured I'd do it the way TC said.
                          Cy

                          1980 XS1100G (Brutus) w/81H Engine
                          Duplicolor Mirage Paint Job (Purple/Green)
                          Vetter Windjammer IV
                          Vetter hard bags & Trunk
                          OEM Luggage Rack
                          Jardine Spaghetti 4-2 exhaust system
                          Spade Fuse Box
                          Turn Signal Auto Cancel Mod
                          750 FD Mod
                          TC Spin on Oil Filter Adapter (temp removed)
                          XJ1100 Front Footpegs
                          XJ1100 Shocks

                          I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Originally posted by DAVINCI View Post
                            general specs say 7.2 ft/lbs. for a 6mm bolt

                            This is correct. It's the same torque for all of the other engine cover bolts as well.
                            Rob
                            KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN

                            1978 XS1100E Modified
                            1978 XS500E
                            1979 XS1100F Restored
                            1980 XS1100 SG
                            1981 Suzuki GS1100
                            1983 Suzuki GS750S Katana
                            1983 Honda CB900 Custom

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Here's some plugs. NOS......

                              http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-XS1100-...item2c5c38b2fb
                              XS1100F 1980 European model. Standard. Dyna coils. Iridium plugs. XS750 final drive (sometimes). Micron fork brace. Progressive front springs. Geezer regulator/rectifier. Stainless 4 into 2 exhaust. Auto CCT (Venturer 1300) SOLD. New project now on the go. 1980 European model.

                              Comment

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