Base gasket woes

[Radioguylogs]

Go for it

Can't delete this accidental post, redundant with the message below.

[Radioguylogs]

Go for it

Ian:

Once you've bought a new head gasket, and you have the jugs off, it seems like a huge missed opportunity not to hone the cylinders and put in new rings....unless your engine has less than 20k miles.

Ball hone is easy and nearly fool-proof.

Kurt is pleased with the rings he bought from Cruzin' Image for $50.

I'd lap the valves an put in new valve seals too. I can loan the valve compression tool if you need it, since I know where to find you! I'll borrow your Color Tune for collateral.

However, I understand. Sometimes, you just want to get the job done and not get side tracked by extra effort and $$$. (Todd would rebuild the whole engine "while he was at it".)

I'm in the cheering section (Go for it, Ian!).

[IanDMacDonald]

My 2cents...

Concerning base gaskets...

My personal experience has been this-

There are a couple of choices for those gaskets... the "green" ones that come in a multi-gasket kit, or the individual base gasket from Yamaha.

Multi-gasket kit price= $50
Yamaha Base gasket = $50.

But, take it from me, cheaping out here may cost you big in the near future!
On the back side, at the center of the base, you will see a 2" section that juts out. Those green kit gaskets are thinner material, there seems to be a lack of head bolt sealing pressure in that area, and even though the oil's not under much pressure in that area, the green gaskets WILL blow out not long after you put it together, and you WILL have a huge, messy oil leak there!

The Yamaha gasket is thicker, and does seal much better.

Now, you might use 3bond with the green gasket and have luck, or you may just use 3bond ONLY and get lucky. But, after what I went through after using the green gasket, I'd spend the money and get the Yamaha gasket. In the end, it's cheap insurance.

I'll tell ya this much... oil leaks on a bike SUCKS! Lol...
YMMV, though... just advice from someone who's BTDT. (May only be worth 2 cents??)

Bob

Hey Bob-

I found a few sellers on eBay with "green" gaskets, and he claimed it's OEM. What do you say?

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/391575875892

[IanDMacDonald]

Ian:

Once you've bought a new head gasket, and you have the jugs off, it seems like a huge missed opportunity not to hone the cylinders and put in new rings....unless your engine has less than 20k miles.

Ball hone is easy and nearly fool-proof.

Kurt is pleased with the rings he bought from Cruzin' Image for $50.

I'd lap the valves an put in new valve seals too. I can loan the valve compression tool if you need it, since I know where to find you! I'll borrow your Color Tune for collateral.

However, I understand. Sometimes, you just want to get the job done and not get side tracked by extra effort and $$$. (Todd would rebuild the whole engine "while he was at it".)

I'm in the cheering section (Go for it, Ian!).

Hey Mike-

I just had headwork done on the bike the other year, so that takes care of that. Putting rings and honing the cylinders is not above my knowledge, just have not done it since high school. You got me thinking.

[IanDMacDonald]

Genuine Yamaha head gasket bought for $12.99. Rings are being contemplated . . .

[Radioguylogs]

Nice!

I'm used to $80-$100 for a NOS head gasket- nice find!

[IanDMacDonald]

I'm used to $80-$100 for a NOS head gasket- nice find!

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/381878407394

[Radioguylogs]

Ian:

I think that is a base gasket, not a head gasket?

Maybe that was what you were referring to. I was referring to the head gasket.

I was thinking about the incremental cost/work for honing&rings after the head and cylinders were already off.

[IanDMacDonald]

Ian:

I think that is a base gasket, not a head gasket?

Maybe that was what you were referring to. I was referring to the head gasket.

I was thinking about the incremental cost/work for honing&rings after the head and cylinders were already off.

Yup, base gasket. My leak is at the base gasket, which I believe is the most common leak besides the CCT leak.

When I pulled the cylinder head the other year for work, I put a new head gasket on (Vesrah). I don't have any leaks there. Come to think of it, I have an extra base gasket, lol. I guess it's okay to have spare

[Bonz]

Full disclosure: I have not worked on the XS1100 with regards to a base gasket.

With the XS1100, being there is a known point that typically leaks, I would simply put a bit thicker amount at that point, let it sit the correct amount of time after tightening it down and go ride. If it truly does not get compressed quite as much, the thicker sealant will make up that difference. As there is no real pressure down there, like has been said, I don't see how it could "blow out". I.E. sealing that area a bit thicker to start, should eliminate the problem.

My experiences with the ZRX 1200 and the base gasket removal is that it sealed up just fine, I am sure the XS1100 could benefit from .5 point compression bump with no problems on piston to valve or piston to head issues.

[IanDMacDonald]

Full disclosure: I have not worked on the XS1100 with regards to a base gasket.

With the XS1100, being there is a known point that typically leaks, I would simply put a bit thicker amount at that point, let it sit the correct amount of time after tightening it down and go ride. If it truly does not get compressed quite as much, the thicker sealant will make up that difference. As there is no real pressure down there, like has been said, I don't see how it could "blow out". I.E. sealing that area a bit thicker to start, should eliminate the problem.

My experiences with the ZRX 1200 and the base gasket removal is that it sealed up just fine, I am sure the XS1100 could benefit from .5 point compression bump with no problems on piston to valve or piston to head issues.

Yeah, I am contemplating on using sealant in-conjuction with the gasket.

[Bonz]

Anyone know the compression increase with deleting the base gasket?

[BA80]

Anyone know the compression increase with deleting the base gasket?

Not sure what the numbers would be on compression Howard but it would be like shaving about .010 off the surface of the head. That's quite an improvement over the top surface of the piston.

Just be sure you put new O rings around the bottom of the cylinders and a good coat of GOOD sealant at the mating surface.

[Bonz]

Thanks for the info Greg. Not looking to do it on my SG however having just done a bunch to my ZRX it's fun to know for comparison.

Hey, did your bike suffer performance issues after the rally? You mentioned that in another thread. When we were talking about the crazy engine heat.

[IanDMacDonald]

I took a returning rider MSF course last year with my Yammy. It was 70+ degrees, and muggy. I had to turn the bike off for an exercise due to it running so hot! It ran like it was on three cylinders. It did not run very well going home. The next day, it seemed okay.