Head Gasket Leak?

[sledge]

After looking closely at the picture it looks like Hylomar or some other sort of sealing compund is in there, you can tell by the fact it appears to have seeped out when the head has been bolted up. Difficult to tell if there is a proper gasket in there. Either way it shouldnt look like it does in the pic. Sealant wont be a reliable option in this application due to the heat and pressure generated in the head when running. I would be taking the head off, cleaning off the apparent sealing compound, checking the mating faces for flatness, fitting the correct OEM gaskets and torquing the head down in accordance with Suzukis spec`.

[twowheeldreams]

when pulling the cylinder head off, i also pulled the lower part of the cylinder off of its gasket. Does this mean that I need to replace that gasket too?

[dgyver]

Yes or you can clean the gasket and spray copper coat on it.

[Bob Broussard]

If you pull the cylinders off to replace the base gasket, you'll need to put new rings and hone the cylinders.
You might be able to get away with just honing the cylinders and re-using the old rings.
But I would replace them.
If you just lift up the cylinder a little, you can clean the area and use coppercoat (brush on) instead of spray.
The area you need to really clean well is around the inner studs. These are exposed to dirt and grit. It gets built up at the base of the cylinders around the studs. Use a shop vac while brushing around the studs with a tooth brush or mini wire brush.

[Trwhouse]

Hi there twowheeldreams,
On replacing your head gasket...
I know at least one person suggested reusing the existing gasket, but I highly disagree.
Gaskets are for one time use, especially the head gasket.
Always replace o-rings also -- they crush and need to be replaced.
From the photos you posted, someone has already replaced the head gasket before on this engine because Suzuki NEVER would have had all the sealant pouring out from the joint.
Be sure to clean everything throughly with contact cleaner, then install the new gaskets DRY -- don't put sprays or sealants on it -- and reassemble.
Be sure to properly torque the cyliner head nuts, using an X pattern as in the manual.
Always RE-TORQUE the head nuts at every valve clearance check, too. To do that, you loosen each head nut one at a time, then re-torque it, and move on to the next one. SAee the Suzuki manual for the tightening torque and tightening pattern.
Take your time and do it all right. You can do this.
Also, try to disturb the cylinder base gasket as little as possible. You don't want to have to replace rings and rehone the cylinders at this point. Again, don't spray anything in there, you can clog oil passages.
Let us know how it's going.
yours,
Todd

[Bob Broussard]

Racers are always working on their motors. So instead of buying gaskets in bulk $$$, We just wash the factory coating off with laquer thinner and spray with coppercoat. I've never had the slightest problem on hundreds of rebuilds. Having said that. Since most peple won't be tearing the motor apart more than once (hopefully) it would be best to just buy a new gasket. No coppercoat is needed, since it comes with a black coating from Suzuki.

If the cylinder is raised up (even a little) I would raise it as much as possible to clean the area.
Grit gets built up around the base of the inner studs (especially the font 2). Some could get between the cylinder and gasket.
That would keep it from completely seating and cause oil leakage
If you use coppercoat liquid to brush (or the spray) on the gasket area, there won't be any danger of clogging anything.
Another type of sealent might though.