Warped or cracked head?

[lwitter]

I've been working on my 1982 GS1100L that I bought for $750. PO said it needed a head gasket, but didn't hear it run becuase it was mid winter and below zero here in Minnesota. I have replaced head and base gaskets, oil seals, valve springs, changed the valve shims to get in spec, 4 into 1 mac exhaust, new brake pads and master cylinder, dipped carbs and all new jets and o rings, new o rings in the intake boots... anyway, I finally got it fired up and now I have oil leaking out on the head fin above the head gasket. It's back in the head between the fins and I can't really see where it is leaking from. The other symptom is a real intense popping or snapping sound when I rev the engine accompanied by a puff of oil? smoke that seems to be coming from between the head fins about where the oil leak seems to be coming from. I thought it was an exhaust leak from the number 2 header, but I took the header bolts all off and reseated the header (with new exhaust gaskets) and bolted them in keeping all bolts at equal lengths. Would the leak and popping sound be from a warped or cracked head or are there any other possibilities? -Lance

[Nessism]

Did you install the recommended copper sealing washers under the head nuts? Is the valve cover gasket sealing as it should?

As far as the popping/snapping noise is concern, I'd check the cam chain to make sure the tensioner is working properly. Did you remember to release the tensioner set screw after installing the tensioner?

[lwitter]

Did you install the recommended copper sealing washers under the head nuts? Is the valve cover gasket sealing as it should?

As far as the popping/snapping noise is concern, I'd check the cam chain to make sure the tensioner is working properly. Did you remember to release the tensioner set screw after installing the tensioner?

I did release the tensioner screw and I replaced the o ring(s) and spring on the cam chain tensioner, so I think it is working. As far as the washers, I did replace the flat copper washers under the four chrome cap nuts. The other ones I think had metal washers. I do have 4 copper what look like o-rings (round not flat) washers in my gasket set, but I didn't see anything like that when I had the head and jug off.

[chef1366]

What brand of gasket kit did you use?
I believe those o-rings are for the oil sending ports on the base gasket and head gasket.

[lwitter]

Uh oh. I will have to look into that. It was an Athena gasket set.

[brianedonovan]

me too

The other symptom is a real intense popping or snapping sound..........

I am getting the same sound, only I am turning the engine over by hand. I had an issue with the cam tensioner and it skipped a link or 2. So i took off the cam cover and aligned everything to TDC. I crank the motor over and at a certain point I hear that load snap or pop, possibly a valve spring or something.
If everything is TDC could I have screwed the timing more?
Any thoughts?

[chef1366]

Possibly hitting valves?

[Nessism]

Sounds like a tensioner issue. Time the engine per the service manual and make sure the tensioner plunger is springing out after you install it into the engine.

[brianedonovan]

Tensioner is good and chain is taut. Everything still at TDC:
Timing mark and 2 cam sprockets.
You think something could damaged?

[tatu]

Sounds like a tensioner issue. Time the engine per the service manual and make sure the tensioner plunger is springing out after you install it into the engine.

+1, thats what it sounds like to me.