can you reuse a head gasket on xs1100

[mrbsyammy]

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?

its hardly noticeable and it was smoking externally that's how I noticed it, it looked like the plug was smoking or plug wire then I seen the oil so you tell me I'm clueless where else could it come from? there are only two places it could leak rocker cover n head gasket there is nothing else there???? left front corner right in front on #1 plug

[mrbsyammy]

its hardly noticeable and it was smoking externally that's how I noticed it, it looked like the plug was smoking or plug wire then I seen the oil so you tell me I'm clueless where else could it come from? there are only two places it could leak rocker cover n head gasket there is nothing else there???? left front corner right in front on #1 plug

let me back up, I bought this a few years ago dry engine and the last couple of years I noticed the corner was getting wet and when I got on it was smoking out the exh. so cleaned the engine and it was that corner and got to number 3 also but its hard to tell if it was one leak or more so that when I took it down it no longer smokes and thought I got the leak but guess not? I'll try n take some pics but the oil is new n very hard to see but I'll give it a shoot or two..lol

[BA80]

Well as I said before, the head gasket does not seal any oil other than around the cam chain and that oil isn't under pressure.

The smoke would be coming from the exhaust if you were getting oil past the rings and that's the ONLY way it could be pushed out a leaky head gasket.

The head gasket seals compression between the TOP of the piston (no oil if the rings aren't gone) and the combustion chamber in the head. You see my point?

The oil is coming from somewhere else and travelling to where you see it. You need to find where. You can change head gaskets until the cows come home and you'll still have a leak.

A method I use in automotive repair is adding an ounce or 2 of air conditioning oil with dye to the crank case and using a black light with the yellow glasses to see exactly where it's coming from. I know you may not have that equipment but that's probably the best way.

[mrbsyammy]

Well as I said before, the head gasket does not seal any oil other than around the cam chain and that oil isn't under pressure.

The smoke would be coming from the exhaust if you were getting oil past the rings and that's the ONLY way it could be pushed out a leaky head gasket.

The head gasket seals compression between the TOP of the piston (no oil if the rings aren't gone) and the combustion chamber in the head. You see my point?

The oil is coming from somewhere else and travelling to where you see it. You need to find where. You can change head gaskets until the cows come home and you'll still have a leak.

A method I use in automotive repair is adding an ounce or 2 of air conditioning oil with dye to the crank case and using a black light with the yellow glasses to see exactly where it's coming from. I know you may not have that equipment but that's probably the best way.

how do I post a pic didn't see any icons for it?

[BA80]

Do you have a Photobucket account? That's the easiest way.

If you do hover your cursor over the pic and click on the "share codes" under the tools icon and use the IMG code and paste it to your post.

[mrbsyammy]

Do you have a Photobucket account? That's the easiest way.

If you do hover your cursor over the pic and click on the "share codes" under the tools icon and use the IMG code and paste it to your post.

I would have to set it up again I changed isp n emails since on there some time ago. if u like heres my email n u can send me yours? seems like that would b easier? 70rtse(at)att.net ** editted in an attempt to prevent the SpamBots from harvesting email address, but it's probably too late! T.C. **

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Mr Bill,

Please take a few moments and RE-set up your photobucket account. Sharing photos and stories PUBLICLY is how We all learn from each other. I'm not saying don't send PM's, just realize that sharing problems in the forum is both what the forums are about and how the collective learns.

I'm surprised someone didn't suggest the baby powder or corn starch powder technique. Spray wash the bike clean and dry, then run engine for a few moments and spritz it with the powder it'll stick to the "invisible" oil, and show you the PATH!

T.C.

[BA80]

That is fresh clean oil. It's not being run through the combustion chamber. It really looks like a valve cover gasket leaking and running out the drain hole between the #1 and #2 exhaust port. Also could be a leak from the cam chain tensioner or, god forbid, the head or cylinders are cracked where that stud goes down and has a nut underneath at the cam chain tunnel.

Some of the best techs I know have cracked the aluminum right there when tightening the head. I hope that's not it.

[mrbsyammy]

Hey Mr Bill,

Please take a few moments and RE-set up your photobucket account. Sharing photos and stories PUBLICLY is how We all learn from each other. I'm not saying don't send PM's, just realize that sharing problems in the forum is both what the forums are about and how the collective learns.

I'm surprised someone didn't suggest the baby powder or corn starch powder technique. Spray wash the bike clean and dry, then run engine for a few moments and spritz it with the powder it'll stick to the "invisible" oil, and show you the PATH!

T.C.

engine is clean so I'll get that off n powder its bottom and try to figure out photo bucket?
Till then n thanks

[mrbsyammy]

That is fresh clean oil. It's not being run through the combustion chamber. It really looks like a valve cover gasket leaking and running out the drain hole between the #1 and #2 exhaust port. Also could be a leak from the cam chain tensioner or, god forbid, the head or cylinders are cracked where that stud goes down and has a nut underneath at the cam chain tunnel.

Some of the best techs I know have cracked the aluminum right there when tightening the head. I hope that's not it.

I torqued it in two tries being the torque is so low? the I'll check the cover again with hope that's where its leaking and hope to God your right? I'll get at that tomorrow and get back to you. Thank you, Till then

[IanDMacDonald]

Don't fret too much Bill. I have a base gasket leak on my bike. It'll require whole upper-end pull to fix. I believe Bob/Scott had a fix, consisting of cleaning the area, then sealing with some type of sealant. I fixed my oil case cover leak, but still have the base gasket leak despite my attempt to fix it.

[mrbsyammy]

Don't fret too much Bill. I have a base gasket leak on my bike. It'll require whole upper-end pull to fix. I believe Bob/Scott had a fix, consisting of cleaning the area, then sealing with some type of sealant. I fixed my oil case cover leak, but still have the base gasket leak despite my attempt to fix it.

There is one BIG PROBLEM ME I am a perfectionist and there is nothing I can do about I think it has something to do with having A.D.D. attention devacet disorder. (not spelled correct) I can't leave things alone its impossible it drives me nuts if its not perfect! so saying that means if you ever buy a bike from me you will know its perfect, better than new. So I won't stop till its right!
Till then But thanks, Mr.Bill

[mrbsyammy]

I torqued it in two tries being the torque is so low? the I'll check the cover again with hope that's where its leaking and hope to God your right? I'll get at that tomorrow and get back to you. Thank you, Till then

Ok cleaned it up checked everything that might leak the only thing that looked like it might be is right in front where there is a nut that is part of the head kinda looks like that might be the problem? now I didn't torque the head down but had to take it off and when I did I barfed that little part at that point and that looks like it might be it? since there isn't the slightest damp areas nowhere at all.. like I said the engine is clean. So is there oil there its right above the cam chain tensioner? 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?
Thanks again Till then

[BA80]

Yes, there is oil there. That's the cam chain tunnel and te area around that nut is where I was talking about it cracking easily. It could be that gasket though there or the tensiner also.

I think you have the area nailed down, just pinpoint it now.

[trbig]

Don't fret too much Bill. I have a base gasket leak on my bike. It'll require whole upper-end pull to fix. I believe Bob/Scott had a fix, consisting of cleaning the area, then sealing with some type of sealant. I fixed my oil case cover leak, but still have the base gasket leak despite my attempt to fix it.

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.