Aight well, I have had this damn engine leak for some time now, as some of you may know. Well, I was tightening the upside down bolt that is in between the headers and it broke off! I don't have a way to remove it so I know I have to get it to the shop, but I was planning on a ride this tonight, and this weekend! What exactly does this bolt do? Will it hurt my bike to run with it broke? Need to know ASAP!
Thanks,
Adam
Well apparently its was leaking with it, so...
I would say run it for a while and see if it leaks more, ride it around and see if it leaks more. If not, then it might hold together...
If that's the upside-down bolt that clamps the head to the cylinders, then the oil is leaking out the cam chain tunnel. It isn't gonna get any better with the bolt broken, but, yeah, if it's no worse then I guess it's still rideable. When you're ready to fix, you'll want to pull the head to get at the bolt with pliers and either replace the head gasket [since you likely have access to discounted parts :P ] or reseal with copper glue.
hell, if its leaking from there, here is what you do (no flames plz as this is a temp fix) get some carb cleaner and Hose the hole and the whole area just around the bolt, above it too. then, get some High temp RTV silicone and give it a squirt in the hole, then paste alittle across the gasket surface, if you use black RTV its not as noticeable. again, this is a temp thing, did you remove the cam box cover and retighten all 8 of the headNuts?
Well, I took JamesG's advice and just rode on! I didn't ride very hard and the oil didn't seem to leak anymore or less than has been already. Although, I have noticed that it has slowly began to increase, but that was even before I broke the bolt off. Since I work for the dealership, I am going to go ahead and get it fixed right now and replace the head gasket and valve cover and anything else that needs to be done. The tech told me he could put a new head gasket on without pulling the head somehow. He explained it to me, I forgot already, but he said it will have to come off now. So I figure, why not go ahead and get everything fixed right early in the riding season and enough the rest. They will probably take a week or two, but at least it will be fixed right and I'll be happy it's over with.
Since I was planning that ride this weekend, that I helped orcastrate I may take Bluekynt's advice only for the weekend though. It still won't help the valve cover leak's but I already knew about that one. So maybe I can get some time to try and tighten it down as well. I know it won't fix it, but it may slow it down at least. Anyways, Thanks to all for the tips.
:thumb:
Quote from: newbieoneThe tech told me he could put a new head gasket on without pulling the head somehow. He explained it to me, I forgot already, but he said it will have to come off now.
I would really like to see how to replace a head gasket without removing the head. :bs:
Quote from: dgyverQuote from: newbieoneThe tech told me he could put a new head gasket on without pulling the head somehow. He explained it to me, I forgot already, but he said it will have to come off now.
I would really like to see how to replace a head gasket without removing the head. :bs:
"Beam it in, Scotty!"
Is the only way I can imagine.
Its the old "pull the dining table cover out from under the dishes" trick, only in.. ah reverse.
Yeah thats tha' ticket!
:bs: :bs:
Replace it wihtout pulling the head... yes... will it be pressure tight after and not leak... um... no.
BTW I think the dodo mechanic is confusing the valve cover gasket with head gasket.
Cool.
Srinath.
Yea I think he goofed or I did one. Anyways, I have had the bike in the shop for two days now, and it isn't looking very promising on getting it fixed anytime soon, and I can't help it. I want it back! So, my buddy is going to help me do it. Hopefully we can get it done within the week on account I can get the parts in time.
Anyways, I was wondering if the bolt I broke off is is screwed into both sides of the head and the cyclinder head? Is the cyclinder head threadless? This is of huge importance to me, bc if both sides have theards it will be VERY difficult to seperate the two.
Let me know,
Thanks,
Adam
Only the cylinder head hole is threaded. If both sections of the hole were threaded, there would be no clamping force.
Here's where the GS's air-cooled simplicity pays off as removing the head really isn't that much work. :) Good time to check valve clearances while you're at it. :thumb:
if your going to change the gaskets, PUT IN NEW RINGS WHILE YOUR IN THERE.
Changing the head gasket is not too difficult. I can pull the whole top end to replace the base gasket in about 1 hour. Do you have a service manual? I learned by just following mine. Make sure the cam chain is set right before turning the engine, can be an expensive mistake with bent valves.