Head Gasket

[Jrod]

Well she's gone!

I've had a quote of £166 to fit a new one including the gasket and also to do the valve clearances whilst I'm there. I think thats pretty cheap! Anyone on here do it cheaper?

Kawasaki sunday.

[Sparks!]

Indeed... told ya ZXR400's weren't great bikes to try and wheely
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Current Toys: 06 Yamaha WR250F | Nissan 350Z GT | Tech 4 Homes

[Jrod]

I blame Yams . Last time we went wheelieng I blew my fork seals, this time the head gasket next time.....? Frame snappage?

[instigator]

Is getting a haynes manual not an option? Head gasket shouldn't be that hard I would have though. ???

How much is it just for the head gasket itself? Or do you have to buy the full top end set?

[Jrod]

I've got a workshop manual but It's alot of work and tbh I CBA. I Don't have all the tools and it's a big job to do. Ah well better luck next time.

[M1ke]

Whats big about it? All you have to do is drain the coolant, undo the 8 or so bolts on the head then insert a new gasket?

Am I missing something?

[Jrod]

No, I'm missing something....mechanical skill. If you wanna do it for me feel free.....

[M1ke]

Thats a good quote for the valve clearances as well, I say go for it if you cant do the gasket your self.

[Jrod]

Not up to it then eh......

[M1ke]

Neah I don't think so

What ever you do, dont ride it far with it in that state, it will overheat once all the coolants evapourated into the engine and cause you a hell of a lot more trouble than a gasket.

If you must ride it, make sure the coolants nicely topped up, and keep checking the level. If the gaskets gone badly, coolant can find its way into your gear box causing the clutch to slip also.

[instigator]

[Jrod]

It's more work than just a few bolts....

[gimpy limp]

shouldn't be hard, just a little more involved than this engine :

this is a DT50 engine but the principal's the same just abit more time consuming as those DT50 engines are very simple mechanically.

https://www.pre-auto.com/images/misc/dt-50-engine12headgasket.jpg

the thought of it is probably putting you off more than anything - you don't need any mechanical knowledge and you'll probably get away with one or two socket bits to take it all apart.
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-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - sam.barwick@ntlworld.com
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[Jrod]

But you need to set the timing when you take the head off? All this is a bit confusing.

[gimpy limp]

shouldn't be, just mark the timing as it is before you take it all apart, line it up how it was then. (btw i've never timed a bike engine just suggesting it)
____________________
-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - sam.barwick@ntlworld.com
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[Kickstart]

Hi

Given that a new gasket is probably £30 that is probably a fairly good deal.

It is not a 5 minute job to change the gasket. At a guess, take the bodywork off, remove the carbs, remove the exhaust, drain the coolant, remove a crank end cover, set the engine to TDC, remove the rocker cover, remove the camshaft caps, remove the cam chain tensioner, tie the cam chain up so it doesn't drop into the engine, remove the cams, undo the head bolts and then remove the head. Check the head is flat (and if not get it skimmed), clean it all up and reassemble.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Jrod]

What cylinder would you put TDC? Or would you just set the crank pully to 0 degrees (does it have one going by cars here.)

[gimpy limp]

lol i'm just going by cars too
____________________
-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - sam.barwick@ntlworld.com
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[mchaggis]

Starting off with a 125 single is a nice way to get used to mechanical maintenance. Everything is nuts and bolts at the end of the day, it is all a giant metal lego set.

Things get complicated when fabricating or specialist tools become issues, but most maintenance really doesn't need those.

I hate to be rude, but you need to take better care of your bike. Less tart, more basic maintenance. If nothing else, it's far far far cheaper.

Blown gaskets and seals, knackered sprockets and snapping chains can really ruin your day, if not depositing you into a hedge along the way and chewing bits out of your engine.

Take care.
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I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[gimpy limp]

if it were me i'd give it ago - i've tought myself far more complicated things in my time that once you learn will save you a fortune in the long run as you can fix it yourself once you've dun it once.

is it the same with bikes as it is with cars in regard to using the right torque settings when doing it back up? do you have to take the bolts off and put them back on in sequence the same as you do with cars?
____________________
-=[Sam/b]=- cx500's the only way to travel, we do it in style just like jimmy saville
msn addy - sam.barwick@ntlworld.com
https://pre-auto.com/cx500/rat_and_survival_gallery_2006

[binge]

[Jrod]

[mchaggis]

I might be confusing you slightly with another tart with the same bike. As such, accept my apologies.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[Jrod]

I'm confused. If i said I will just ride the bike with a blown head gasket becuase I need more anodised bits Then fair enough. The bike IS being fixed BEFORE I buy ANYTHING else.

[Claud 14.7 to 1]