Re-using Head gasket

[Suzuki_Don]

Is it permissible to reuse the head gasket on my 650. It has only done 100 miles and the head has to come off again. They cost $190+ here in OZ.

The gasket that is on there now is a genuine Suzuki part. Will it reseal?

Comments please.

 

[DanTheMan]

The only time I've been able to use a head gasket over again has been on a low hp lawnmower engine. I really don't think it will seal again as it has already been compressed. Not the answer you want to hear, I know.

 

[blowerbike]

if the gasket is layered sheet metal then yes you can.
wipe it with carb cleaner and spray it with silver high heat paint.
if its fiber then i would pass.

 

[Suzuki_Don]

if the gasket is layered sheet metal then yes you can.
wipe it with carb cleaner and spray it with silver high heat paint.
if its fiber then i would pass.

Terry I think this is composite, what do you think?

.

 

[hampshirehog]

If that's it after you've taken it off you'll probably be ok Don. I've done it before and been fine. The trick is to make sure it comes off 100% clean and undamaged (which they usually don't).

 

[Suzuki_Don]

If that's it after you've taken it off you'll probably be ok Don. I've done it before and been fine. The trick is to make sure it comes off 100% clean and undamaged (which they usually don't).

Thanks Wally, these pics were before I put the gasket on originally. I have yet to pull the head. I pulled the carbs, cam tensioner last night. Probably pull the cams and head tonight. Hope to then see what is going on.

 

[blowerbike]

i would normally say no to re using a fiber gasket but that one looks new still.
bottom line is..
all you'll be out is labor...if you don't mind then go for it and save the cash of buying another new one.

 

[Suzuki_Don]

i would normally say no to re using a fiber gasket but that one looks new still.
bottom line is..
all you'll be out is labor...if you don't mind then go for it and save the cash of buying another new one.

OK. Thanks.

 

[Nessism]

If it comes off clean, I'd reuse it. Contrary to blower, I would not reuse a MLS head gasket but would if it was single layer steel.

 

[rustybronco]

My opinion...

the surface for sealing compression is the metal rings around the cylinders. if the gasket comes off "mostly" in one piece, I would re-coat it with one of the those spray on head gasket sealers (copper~silver) and reinstall it.

I just removed my 850's head, re-installed and re-torqued the same head gasket for the third time. (no heat cycles)

 

[blowerbike]

If it comes off clean, I'd reuse it. Contrary to blower, I would not reuse a MLS head gasket but would if it was single layer steel.

single layer steel head gasket...never seen one of those.

i have never had an issue with the multi layers..
carb clean/wipe/paint install.
this has been on street bikes...no leaks so far.

 

[Nessism]

single layer steel head gasket...never seen one of those.

i have never had an issue with the multi layers..
carb clean/wipe/paint install.
this has been on street bikes...no leaks so far.

Some Kawasaki's use sheet metal head gaskets. Rebuilt an EX500 engine and there it was.

 

[tkent02]

In this case it's merely to test a wayward engine, if it leaks so what?
It will allow you to find out about your engine making metal, and your knocking noise, and if it is all OK you can get a new head gasket and fix it later if it leaks.
Chances are it may need to come apart again anyway, why waste a new gasket?

Go for it.

 

[49er]

Don, your head gasket should come off cleanly without sticking to either surface, after so few heat cycles. If so, I'd use it again.

The spare head I'm working on came off an engine that a PO had recently installed. The composite gasket came cleanly off the head and block. I could have re-used it again if I wasn't going so radially over sized. It'll be a MLS gasket for this baby.

You may be able to remove that rear tensioner without completely removing the jugs off the pistons, but I doubt that you can re-fit the new one from that position. You'll probably just end up damaging the base gasket, in the process. Probably safer to lift the jugs.

Good luck with the dis-assembly.

 

[Suzuki_Don]

WELL I did get the head off OK without damaging the head gasket. See pic below.

I also tracked down a new head gasket (OEM) for $60 instead of the $181 that the local Suzuki dealer wanted. So the old gasket is in good enough condition to reuse in my opinion and Ian's (49ER), my mentor. My other thread has details of what I found when I pulled the head and cylinders. And i will keep the new head gasket as a spare for the future.