How do you know if base gasket leaking on 2 stroke liquid

kneedown · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Karma :

Hello guys
Wanted to know if anyone would know how to tell if the base gasket is leaking on a single cylinder 2 stroke liquid cooled bike.

Couldn't get a base gasket so made one, bike seems fine but plug seems a little wet but starts and runs fine.

just wanted to know what to look out for if the base gasket was leaking what could I expect cheers guys

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

You could try posting in the"Workshop" section Wink

Just look all round where the cylinder meets the engine cases and look for leaks. Using home made gaskets for the base of the cylinder can be a bit dodgy as they need to be the right thickness.

Damon · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Karma :

do a compression test Thumbs Up

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Damon · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Karma :

Will it not? I was under the impression any slight airleak in the base gasket would lower compression.

My mistake. As you were Mr. Green

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Damon · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Karma :

Of course. I'm being a bit thick Laughing

It's all this sitting at work malarkey making me crazy Thumbs Up

iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

I assume you mean leaking cooling fluid.

Two options either you sump oil will turn really milky as the coolant leaks in there, or you will see wet patches round the outside of the cylinder.

Oh and the coolant level will drop in the radiator/expansion tank
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

The base gasket seals between the crankcase and the outside world.

If it was leaking, you'd see runny black petrol/oil mixture oozing round the join between the barrel and the cankcase. If the join is clean, it's not leaking.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

kneedown · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Karma :

Cheers for replies guys, to be honest my biggest concern is that coolant is leaking into the crankcase from the head seemed like a small amount of liquid was coming from exhaust but may just be paranoia and condensation

kneedown · Nova Slayer Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Karma :

Cheers for replies guys, to be honest my biggest concern is that coolant is leaking into the crankcase from the head seemed like a small amount of liquid was coming from exhaust but may just be paranoia and condensation

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

One thing that always used to be recommended and you don't hear so much these days is to re-torque the cylinder head nuts at 5, 50 and 500 miles post fitting. Gaskets squash and heads settle after a few heat cycles which can leave them loose.

I just did the ones on my Enfield. They were done up to 24ft/lb when I fitted the head. Five (probably nearer 10 the truth be told) miles later, I went to torque them up (in two stages, 15ft/lb then 24ft/lb). Two of them took a bit of a turn to get them up to 15. All of them needed tightening to 24.

A slight pain in the backside taking the tank and rocker covers off having only recently put them back on again but it definately needed doing.

It may be an older bike design, but the gaskets are made of exactly the same stuff as a modern bike.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.