can you reuse a head gasket on xs1100

[mrbsyammy]

I screwed up big time and I know better, put new head gasket on 1100 cause it was leaking and guess what? Its still leaking go ahead and ask me if I checked it for being warped go head ask me... No I didn't and I know better that's the sad part, it is leaking in the same spot right in front of #1 plug. My next question is can I reuse it since it has under 100 miles on it? and another question is it more likely the head is warped or jug? I have another xs1100 motor know nothing about it would it be better to use the head from that since its dry? It has been leak week here sub pump and kitchen sink and drain leak leak leak, now my bike. WTH?
Till then

[BA80]

What makes you think it's leaking? Bad compression, whistling?

[TADracer]

In a nutshell...Yes

You can re-use a head gasket on these motors as long as the flame rings are intact and the balance of the gasket is viable. Use some good gasket sealer such as Copper Coat (the liquid, not the spray on stuff).

Now having said all that....check your head for everything before installing it again.

[mrbsyammy]

What makes you think it's leaking? Bad compression, whistling?

oil leaking and its not from rocker arm cover, the exact same place it was leaking before. It only has 20,000 original miles but sat for at least 10 years so I think that had something to do with it?

[mrbsyammy]

You can re-use a head gasket on these motors as long as the flame rings are intact and the balance of the gasket is viable. Use some good gasket sealer such as Copper Coat (the liquid, not the spray on stuff).

Now having said all that....check your head for everything before installing it again.

I asked the local cycle shop and he said if its copper you can but can't if it isn't? Like I said I just replaced it under 100 miles ago??? What are flame rings is that what I know as the compression seal or ring that is what seals the compression that is at the perimeter of the cylinder? I didn't have my coffee yet I'm not making sense
Till then Thanks Mr.Bill

[fredintoon]

Hi Mr Bill,
didja tear it down again yet?
If not, slacken off the headnuts and carefully re-torque them to the correct numbers in the proper sequence.
You might get lucky.
If it's already apart and you have checked for warpage and it's OK, you may well get a good seal with a used gasket but there's better odds with a new one.

[BA80]

oil leaking and its not from rocker arm cover, the exact same place it was leaking before. It only has 20,000 original miles but sat for at least 10 years so I think that had something to do with it?

If it's leaking oil from around the #1 cylinder it's not the head gasket. The only place a head gasket seals oil is at the cam chain tunnel.

There is no oil on top of the piston, only compression and fuel.

If there is oil around the #1 spark plug I would wager a guess that it's leaking from the valve cover somewhere around the #2 plug and running out the drain hole just above the #1 plug. Although, I have seen the uppr connection for the oil transfer tube leak (where it connects to the head) and follow the finns around the back of the head to the left side making it LOOK like the head gasket leaking oil.Especially when the bike is parked on the side stand.

[trbig]

If it's leaking oil from around the #1 cylinder it's not the head gasket. The only place a head gasket seals oil is at the cam chain tunnel.

There is no oil on top of the piston, only compression and fuel.

If there is oil around the #1 spark plug I would wager a guess that it's leaking from the valve cover somewhere around the #2 plug and running out the drain hole just above the #1 plug. Although, I have seen the uppr connection for the oil transfer tube leak (where it connects to the head) and follow the finns around the back of the head to the left side making it LOOK like the head gasket leaking oil.Especially when the bike is parked on the side stand.

+1, Not the head gasket. What I've found when oil is dripping there, is the valve cover leaking into the area that Greg stated by the #2 plug. (Or a cam chain adjuster leaking and oil getting blown back through) Wind blows it through the air channels as you ride and it drips off of carb boot #2 directly onto the fin that sits below the head gasket. When you set the bike on the sidestand, the oil runs down around in front of Cyl #1 and drips off. That being said, I've also seen BASE gaskets leaking in this area, but it's below the fins.

And as to the original question.. I've re-used head gaskets many times as long as they weren't de-laminated.

[motoman]

+1......I'm with BA80 on this one . Have seen this fool some of the best on here, only to find that's exactly what's happening'.

[TomB]

I'm with these boys, most likely a leak tracking to where you see it.

Another thought on your original question, can you re-use a head gasket? I would if pulling a head off for other work, but not if the work is to sort out a leaking head gasket. Look at it this way.... the head gasket is leaking so I'm gonna pull the head, then re-use the leaking head gasket to fix it!! Hmmmm.....

[mrbsyammy]

Hi Mr Bill,
didja tear it down again yet?
If not, slacken off the headnuts and carefully re-torque them to the correct numbers in the proper sequence.
You might get lucky.
If it's already apart and you have checked for warpage and it's OK, you may well get a good seal with a used gasket but there's better odds with a new one.

Still together, I retorqued after riding it a short time so loosen them up n retorque? the number I found was 25 ft lbs is that correct? It is the slightest leak I was almost thinking of trying to find it which is going to be hard since its clean oil and taking a small amount of silicone gold the 1200 degree stuff and carefully taking a tiny screw driver n applying it? how about loosening them n silicone it n retorque it?
Till then

[BA80]

OIL WON"T LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET

At least not from around the cylinders.

[latexeses]

Could there be some crud down in the threads that is keeping you from getting the bolt torqued properly? Chase the threads to be sure.

If what you are seeing is heavy oil and not unburned fuel and soot it won't be coming from the combustion chamber.

[mrbsyammy]

OIL WON"T LEAK FROM THE HEAD GASKET

At least not from around the cylinders.

there is oil coming out of the head by number 1 plug in front of it, not the rocker cover that's dry and when I replaced the head gasket it was wet in that corner so???
Till then

[BA80]

So, you need to find where the oil is REALLY coming from. If you had oil leaking from the head gasket your engine would be smoking like a mosquito killer and your plug on that cylinder would be covered in oil and fouled.

Not trying to argue, just stating cold hard facts.

How about a good close up pic or 2?