Real Gasket Users...

[Mysuzyq]

Installed my 'Real Gasket' after checking/adjusting my valves last weekend...it works great so far. I have'nt washed the engine in two years, and would like to do so now, to make it easier to detect any leak from the new gasket. Is it safe to use 'Gunk' to clean the engine now, or would it affect the silicone gasket in any way....wondered if anyone has done this. Maybe I need to pick up some 'Simple Green' (I hear its gentler than 'Gunk'), but I happen to have a full can of Gunk handy.
Btw, thanks to the member who posted the tip about rolling the gasket in a sheet of paper towel to install...worked really well, and stayed completely dry as required (I had cleaned both metal surfaces with solvent prior to installation).....also, using small Allen keys in the corner holes to locate the gasket seemed to help with the 'squirming' issue.

Tony.

[t3rmin]

Yeah, you'll be fine with just about anything as long as it doesn't sit on the gasket for too long.

[BassCliff]

Use it full strength

Mr. Mysuzyq,

Here's a shot before Simple Green:



And here's a shot after Simple Green:



I think Simple Green works pret-ty dang good.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Mysuzyq]

Sure I know it works well, I have used it for other applications besides automotive....diluting it as prescribed before use is a bit of a pain, as I wash the bike at the coin car-wash.....this time around, I think I will use the Gunk to try and use it up before buying the S.G......will just have to be careful about not spraying too much directly on the 'Real Gasket', in case it creates a problem. Thanks!

Edit: O.K, I see now you just used it full strength, with good results!

Tony.

[Nessism]

Gunk shouldn't hurt the silicone gasket. Just don't spray it on a hot engine. Works much better than Simple Green, but smells much worse. There are some citris based engine cleaners that smell much better than Gunk, but cost more. It's worth the difference in cost if you don't have an out of the way place to wash the bike.

[SPARKSS]

Holy Smokers Bass! I'd be happy if I could get mine as clean as your "dirty" picture!

VERY impressive

[bwringer]

Gunk and many other engine cleaners smell horrible, like diesel fuel, and are probably environmental disasters in a can. The stuff works, but your driveway smells like you blew up an 18 wheeler for weeks.

Much as I hate to go there, Wal*Mart's engine cleaner is based on a foaming detergent. It's cheap ($1/can), works well, and seems to not hang around forever and kill your grass.

Simple green also works quite well, as long as you rinse thoroughly. It also smells like a urinal cake, which you may or may not consider an improvement.

[duaneage]

Wet the engine before using sim0lpe green , it needs water to be activated.

[Planecrazy]

I bought some "Castrol Superclean Tough Task" spray degreaser a few years ago and was amazed at how well it cuts through even tough grease ... if you leave it on the dirt for even a short moment it dissolves it away without damaging the surrounding material. My best friend borrowed my bike when his car broke down last year and he scuffed both the gas tank and hard bags with his dress shoes. Simple Green and other cleaners wouldn't take it off, and I thought it was permanent, but after spraying on the Superclean I was astonished at how easily the marks cleaned off without any damage to the paint. I even used it successfully to clean the plexiglass on my fairing. It seemed to reduce the fine scratches a bit too.

I DID follow the Superclean with Windex, "just in case" so that the residue wouldn't damage the windscreen.

That stuff WORKS!! White and Purple spray bottle...

Regards,

[Mysuzyq]

Did you ask him how his dress shoes managed to scuff the gas tank?:shock:
Anyway. I just sprayed the Gunk sparingly to avoid permeating the gasket...with only 15 in/lbs of pressure against it, my main concern was the Gunk getting in between the gasket and metal and causing slip/leak problems, or the chemical reacting with the silicone itself and causing the gasket to fail....I thought the S.G. would be a bit gentler in this regard, but I'm told it is just as nasty.....I did'nt have a whole lot of baked on grease and grime, as the bike didnt leak much oil even with the paper gasket, so I made out ok with a little bit of Gunk followed by some bushing with a paint brush , followed by warm soapy water and then a rinse....all done at the local coin-op car-wash....not enough light now for a decent pic....tomorrow perhaps.

Tony.

[Mysuzyq]

Took a couple pics at a coffee stop on my short ride today...the sunset caused a reddish tinge, but you get the idea....



Tony.

[Mysuzyq]

Looking closely, I see where I missed a few nooks & crannies, but not too bad for a one-hour job....also had to wait like 15 mins before spraying the Gunk to allow the engine to cool a little....did the rims during that time....no ill effect suffered by the silicone gasket, it appears.

Tony.

[79-GS550-L]

beautiful! ...wish my bike looked that nice