can you reuse a head gasket on xs1100

[mrbsyammy]

Yup.. Clean it really good with some carb cleaner and a brush, then a clean towel. Smear a thin film of clear silicone on the spot you think is leaking.. then try to push some of that material into the crack well where the base gasket is. Smooth off with a final sweep of your finger, let it dry, then you'll be good to go. No oil pressure at that gasket to speak of, so all you have to do is make a seal.

This same method will probably work for you as well Mr B around the valve cover gasket surface and the cylinder. If it's cracked there, the silicone will probably still work for you there. No oil pressure at the cam chain galley either.

You know damn well I won't be happy till I replace it don't you?
Till then

[TopCatGr58]

Mr Bill,

Something you said was a red flag to me. The OEM set up was the head gasket AND the cam chain galley gasket. The newer head gaskets incorporate both, so the cam chain galley separate gasket is NOT to be used, just the head gasket. IF you put the NEW gasket on WITH the old cam chain galley gasket, that could have also allow the head to be uneven and let oil leak from the galley!?

Tod and Greg(not Gred :P ) will either confirm or disclaim what I've said regarding newer head gaskets vs the OEM's.

T.C.

[BA80]

I saw that in the post too TC but dismissed it as a inaccurate description of the gasket itself.

[trbig]

TC, I kind of scrolled by that the first time, but excellent catch!

Another question I bought a complete gasket set per say but that center gasket that is around the cam chain wasn't there? it didn't look bad and they don't exist so I had to reuse it might that be a problem?

Just as TC pointed out.. The center cam chain galley gasket does not get used. Sorry... I have honestly never seen one of those galley area gaskets, so don't know for sure, but would assume that would make a high point in the center of the head, and when torqued, you're holding it in a warped state. I would be concerned with not only an oil leak, but an actual head gasket leak with exhaust gasses blowing by those steel rings on those 2 center cylinders.

[mrbsyammy]

Mr Bill,

Something you said was a red flag to me. The OEM set up was the head gasket AND the cam chain galley gasket. The newer head gaskets incorporate both, so the cam chain galley separate gasket is NOT to be used, just the head gasket. IF you put the NEW gasket on WITH the old cam chain galley gasket, that could have also allow the head to be uneven and let oil leak from the galley!?

Tod and Greg(not Gred :P ) will either confirm or disclaim what I've said regarding newer head gaskets vs the OEM's.

T.C.

Well WTH? and nowhere in the gasket set did it say one word about that? The leak is from a damaged head gasket, the very very tip of that area was tore about 1/4 in. I reset the piece that was tore and put some gasket glue on that is a grey 1164 not sure of any other name but it stays pliable and is an excellent product, looks like I should have used a bit more so I really don't think the head is warped at all? but I won't know until I replace the gasket it which should be here by Monday? I do thank you for letting me know about that center gasket is no longer needed maybe that's why you can no longer find it?
Thanks guys.. Till then

[mrbsyammy]

Well WTH? and nowhere in the gasket set did it say one word about that? The leak is from a damaged head gasket, the very very tip of that area was tore about 1/4 in. I reset the piece that was tore and put some gasket glue on that is a grey 1164 not sure of any other name but it stays pliable and is an excellent product, looks like I should have used a bit more so I really don't think the head is warped at all? but I won't know until I replace the gasket it which should be here by Monday? I do thank you for letting me know about that center gasket is no longer needed maybe that's why you can no longer find it?
Thanks guys.. Till then

so do I use sealant on the cam chain opening when I put the new head gasket on or no?

[BA80]

OK, not sure what y'all are talking about I guess. As far as I know the cam chain galley gasket is itegral with the head gasket. What center cam chain galley gasket are you talking about?

[CaptonZap]

OK, not sure what y'all are talking about I guess. As far as I know the cam chain galley gasket is itegral with the head gasket. What center cam chain galley gasket are you talking about?

Part #4

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/partviewer/default.aspx?ls=sport#/Yamaha/XS1100E_-_1978/CYLINDER/XS1100E_(1978_MOTORCYCLE)/CYLINDER_(XS1100E_-_1978)

[mrbsyammy]

OK, not sure what y'all are talking about I guess. As far as I know the cam chain galley gasket is itegral with the head gasket. What center cam chain galley gasket are you talking about?

from 79xs1100 original

[BA80]

Part #4
http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/par...S1100E_-_1978)

That link won't let me in CZ.

[trbig]

How about this one Greg.. As stated, part #4

http://www.yamahapart.com/oemparts/a...85bbb/cylinder

[mrbsyammy]

That link won't let me in CZ.

I got in, it took a little while but that's the part that goes around the cam chain valley or whatever its called. I reused it so is it suppose to be used or not? so when I get my new head gasket do I reuse it again???
Till then

[mrbsyammy]

I got in, it took a little while but that's the part that goes around the cam chain valley or whatever its called. I reused it so is it suppose to be used or not? so when I get my new head gasket do I reuse it again???
Till then

I just called the local Yamaha mech n hes hard core Yamaha and he said if its still in good condition reuse it if not put a coat of copper coat sealer not spray on the paste type or silicone type, so I hope this is some help?
Till then

[BA80]

How about this one Greg.. As stated, part #4

http://www.yamahapart.com/oemparts/a...85bbb/cylinder

Yeah, I can see that one Tod. I don't remember seeing one on any of the heads I removed. I'll pay more attention to it next one.

The part says N/A so I guess the engineers decided it wasn't necessary.

[red bandit]

[QUOTE=mrbsyammy;448930] so when I get my new head gasket do I reuse it again???

No, don't use it, just use the head gasket.