head gasket leak

[shibby_cbs]

just replaced the head gasket and base gasket on the bike and the head gasket is now leaking in the front right corner...i torqued all bolts to speck when i installed it. im gonna go in and try and tighten the bolts to see if that helps but if its tightend to spec shouldnt it not leak...i was also very careful to follow the tightening pttern when tightening the bolts...what else could be the problem?

[Nessism]

Did you retorque after the initial build and what brand of gaskets did you use? Also, when the head and cylinder were off did you verify the surfaces were flat and smooth?

[shibby_cbs]

Did you retorque after the initial build and what brand of gaskets did you use? Also, when the head and cylinder were off did you verify the surfaces were flat and smooth?

i only torqued once...i used motor gasket by athena...got the gasket kit at partsnmore.com as recommended by steve...as far as verifying that the surfaces were flat and smooth i took a razor to both surfaces to make sure all remaining gasket material was removed...it looked really good to me

[chef1366]

He was referring to the surfaces being true or not warped.

[shibby_cbs]

He was referring to the surfaces being true or not warped.

no idea...but i do know that it was not leaking before i replaced it

[shibby_cbs]

i guess the question is what should i do next...im at a loss

[Nessism]

Athena gaskets suck, particularly the base gasket - the gaskets crush down and clamp load in the studs drops off. I recommend that you retorque the head nuts. Nothing to loose at this point. If that doesn't work, you are going to have to replace the gaskets again, only this time have a machine shop verify the head and cylinder surfaces are flat to within the service manual spec (.008" I think), and get OE gaskets and seals.

[shibby_cbs]

Athena gaskets suck, particularly the base gasket - the gaskets crush down and clamp load in the studs drops off. I recommend that you retorque the head nuts. Nothing to loose at this point. If that doesn't work, you are going to have to replace the gaskets again, only this time have a machine shop verify the head and cylinder surfaces are flat to within the service manual spec (.008" I think), and get OE gaskets and seals.

ugh....alright thanks

[rapidray]

STOCK Suzuki gaskets don't give problems!!! Vesrah, Athena, & even some Cometics are nothing but PROBLEMS!!!! Stick to Suzuki gaskets to be leak free! Ray.

[shibby_cbs]

STOCK Suzuki gaskets don't give problems!!! Vesrah, Athena, & even some Cometics are nothing but PROBLEMS!!!! Stick to Suzuki gaskets to be leak free! Ray.

wheres the best place to get these?

[blowerbike]

wheres the best place to get these?

ummmm....
a suzuki dealership

[shibby_cbs]

ummmm....
a suzuki dealership

haha touche....just thought there may be a place cheaper than others...but i want to get the bike done by friday so dealership is probably my best option

[sparki]

suzuki dealer

to check if the head gasket surfaces are flat you just need a piece of thickish glass... then see if any light comes through. you may need a feeler guage to measue any gaps you see.

always use suzuki base gaskets come hell or high water. they are so much better quality than ANYTHING else available.

[waterman]

just replaced the head gasket and base gasket on the bike and the head gasket is now leaking in the front right corner...i torqued all bolts to speck when i installed it. im gonna go in and try and tighten the bolts to see if that helps but if its tightend to spec shouldnt it not leak...i was also very careful to follow the tightening pttern when tightening the bolts...what else could be the problem?

Did your head gasket have washers for the four corner studs? If it did, did you install them? If they are still in bag, disassemble and replace, you may still be able to salvage head gasket. If this doesn't work, OEM Suzuki gasket may be best bet. I forgot the corner washers once, leaked like a sieve.

[shibby_cbs]

Did your head gasket have washers for the four corner studs? If it did, did you install them? If they are still in bag, disassemble and replace, you may still be able to salvage head gasket. If this doesn't work, OEM Suzuki gasket may be best bet. I forgot the corner washers once, leaked like a sieve.

corner washers huh?....cant say i really know what the heck you are talkin about. but when i get home i will be sure to see what i got left in the bag...if anybody has pictures or anything to help me out that would be great...also had somethin on my mind that i have been thinking/worrying about...with my gasket kit came two o-rings in the shape of an egg. it looked to me as if they would go somewhere around the two what looked like oil ports/jets near cylander 1 and cylander 4 on the cases...but the clymer manual made no mention of them and i didnt see any on there when i first took the bike apart and didnt really even see where they could go...just wonderin if any of you guys know what they may be for