• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

old stubborn gaskets

  • Thread starter Thread starter scottsgs
  • Start date Start date
S

scottsgs

Guest
Hi all,

Well I am right up to my arse in this gasket and o-ring job on my 81 GS850G. I am having a time with removing the remnants of the old base gasket. I have tried penetrating oil and a bladed scraper. However I have gouged the aluminum in a couple of spots with the scraper. Will I have any problems with leaks later on? Is there an easier way? Could I use a Dremel with a wire brush to clean up rough edges? Do the mating surfaces need to be spotless? Sorry about all the questions. I just don't want to miss the needed details.

Thanks,

Scott
 
get permatex gasket remover, its like liquid magic. spray it on, wait like 10-15 minutes, come back and scrap it off. its awesome. i used it on my base gasket. they dont need to be PERFECT but PERfECT is okay.

ps. make sure you remove the orings around the cylinder sleeves and mask any paint on the engine.
 
Last edited:
Take care!!

Take care!!

You will want to be very, very careful that you don't 'score' the surface. Don't do anything that will compromise the integrity. Scraping gasket material is good...scraping away metal is a 'no no'.:|
 
catbed said:
get permatex gasket remover, its like liquid magic.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the Permatex gasket remover, on any aluminum gasket surface with stuck-on remnants.

Be sure to mask off anything you don't want harmed, like paint & engine covers / alternator covers, because it'll eat the plastic coating. (Hmm.... actually, I haven't tested this. OK, because it's possible it'll eat the plastic coating.)
 
In my experience, even with permatex it takes time. A good gasket scraper used carefully and patiently worked the best for me. Even scotch-brite pads can be too aggresive if you aren't careful.

Use the permatex, wait for it to bubble up, take what you can get, and then use a little more.

It doesn't need to be "spotless" from my experience, but pretty close....the dark spots should be more like stains than anything else.

If you have gouged the surface enough to have protruding metal burrs, remove those. I had a "burr" on my cylinder head when I pulled it. The guy at the machine shop had a nice high quality flat file. Just a couple of minor passes and it was perfect. Your gasket should fill in minor scratches that have occured.

Hope it goes well.
 
Last edited:
Gasket Removal Tool

Gasket Removal Tool

Take a small piece (6-8") of copper tubing (1/4 - 1/2" diameter). Flatten one end completely with a hammer. Using a file or grinder, sharpen the flat end until its like a knife edge. Will loosen old gaskets without gouging aluminum.

rickt
 
Valve cover gasket on my recently purchased 850 is hard as a ROCK. Never seen anything like it; hope it's not a bad omen. Bought some gasket remover spray and going to try dabbing it on after spraying some in a cup. Do you guys think it will help on a full thickness gasket? I realize it will take several applications so no worry there.
 
Stanley knife blade used gingerly and a little acetone. Scotchbrite and lacquer thinner to finish up.

Works good, don't sniff too much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top