Think it's head gasket time? Need help!

[djs2k2]

Think my head gaskets gone, just rotated engine out thinking it was rocker gaskets. Can I replace the head gaskets in the bike. I have done the rocker gaskets before but never the head gasket what would I need and how would I do it? Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Cooter]

It would be much easier to use the manual for that procedure than explaining it post by post.

Buelmods.com or Buelltooth.com should have a .pdf for you for free.

 

[djs2k2]

Have the shop manual just didn't know if y'all had any advice because the manual doesn't give as much detail as someone who has done it.

 

[djs2k2]

Cooter does that look like the head gasket and rocker gasket to you?

 

[Silverrider]

My 2 cents, When my rear rocker was leaking it looked the same. So I cleaned it up with gas and a brush, then watched closely to see were it was coming from. Looking at your pic it appears from your rocker and down your head but not below your gasket and on your not cylinder. But Cooter will know. It does look like its clean at the gasket ,like maybe not blown out.

 

[Silverrider]

sorry about the double click .

 

[Cooter]

The rocker gasket will leak oil just like that and flow down the fins in all sorts of hard to find ways. That said, it's pretty rare that a head gasket will still seal compression, but leak oil.

If you've got the rocker boxes off (that are definitely leaking on your bike), the head gaskets aren't much harder to do at all.

If I had to clean my crystal ball really well and guess, I'd say the rocker boxes are leaking and that's all.

Test it like Silver did:up:

 

[djs2k2]

Thanks.

 

[mosquito]

Never, EVER use gasoline as a solvent! It's highly flammable and explosive! VERY risky! An acquaintance of mine was burnt so badly with gasoline that he begged his wife to shoot him but she didn't have to, he died the next day and I knew another guy whose face and hands were badly disfigured in a gasoline explosion. Not recommended...

 

[neilrl79]

If you are rotating the motor already anyway, it's like five more minutes of work to separate the frame from the motor and swingarm. It's well worth the little bit of extra effort to work on something in the open.


(****ty pic)

 

[Silverrider]

Never, EVER use gasoline as a solvent! It's highly flammable and explosive! VERY risky! An acquaintance of mine was burnt so badly with gasoline that he begged his wife to shoot him but she didn't have to, he died the next day and I knew another guy whose face and hands were badly disfigured in a gasoline explosion. Not recommended...

Sorry to hear about your friends, Most good stuff is flammable, One must be very careful to say the least!!!!

 

[djs2k2]

Been seeing online people using oven cleaner as a engine degreaser anyone have a reason I shouldn't give that a try? Because the Buell does act like a oven to our inner thighs and then some...

 

[Silverrider]

What ever you use, make sure it does not mark up your plastics or frame, Test it first on unseen places. Dont ask How I know. :black_eyed:

 

[TPEHAK]

Try Maxima CleanUp chain cleaner, it is O-ring safe, so at least it will not eat rubber parts. Just spray it, brush it and rinse with water.

 

[djs2k2]

Nice have to see where I can pick some up.

 

[TPEHAK]

https://www.amazon.com/Maxima-75920...99398839&sr=8-1&keywords=maxima+chain+cleaner

I use it on motorcycle chain and bicycle chain and have good result. Once I sprayed it everywhere on my bicycle around chain and sprockets to cleat it from oil and dirt and I have not noticed any paint damage or discoloration with this product, but anyway be careful with painted surfaces and plastic. Also you have to rinse this product with water, it is will not dry by itself.

 

[BuellyBagger]

I use neutragena acne wash... takes the oils right off.

 

[djs2k2]

With micro scrubbing beads lol.

 

[mosquito]

Sorry to hear about your friends, Most good stuff is flammable, One must be very careful to say the least!!!!

I imagine most solvents are flammable but as the Buell Service Manual states: "Gasoline is EXTREMELY flammable and highly explosive, which could lead to death or serious injury."
Taking care does not prevent accidents and why take risks that have possible dire consequences? Paint thinner, Varsol, even diesel fuel do not have the risks associated with gasoline so I'll say again, never, EVER use gasoline as a solvent!

 

[BuellyBagger]

If you are rotating the motor already anyway, it's like five more minutes of work to separate the frame from the motor and swingarm. It's well worth the little bit of extra effort to work on something in the open.


(****ty pic)

wish i'd seen your pic before i put the motor back up in the ulysses. I would've painted my rocker box covers, i like that look!