Head gasket question

[chuckycheese]

My 'new' 1980 1100E runs absolutely great! However.... I've noticed a pop and an occasional poof of smoke from the left side of the head gasket when I'm idling it, on choke, before I take off. After taking it off of the choke position, it runs like new and I've noticed nothing unusual. It performs perfectly!

The engine was entirely rebuilt less than 3000 miles ago and I'm thinking, perhaps, the head wasn't properly torqued...what do you guys think???

After my big, upcoming trip to SE Asia, I plan to adjust the valves. Can I check the bolt torque of the cylinder head gasket at that time without going further????? (I think so, but am not certain.)

My thinking is that if it torques correctly...I've got a problem and should continue to disassemble....if I notice that it's loose and tightens up, I should re-tighten and go from there. Does that make good sense??:-|

[Steve]

Sounds like a good idea to me, but if you DO check your head bolt/nut torque, do it before you adjust the valves.

My Suzuki manual does not specifically state to check the torque before checking the valves, but it is the section immediately preceeding, and they usually do stuff in order.


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[chef1366]

Bring it down to Bako and we'll get er done. \\/

[chuckycheese]

Thanks

Sounds like a good idea to me, but if you DO check your head bolt/nut torque, do it before you adjust the valves.

My Suzuki manual does not specifically state to check the torque before checking the valves, but it is the section immediately preceeding, and they usually do stuff in order.


.

Thanks, Steve!:-D But....can I check all necessary bolts by taking off the valve cover plate??

[chuckycheese]

Yeah!

Bring it down to Bako and we'll get er done. \\/

I'd love to take advantage of the offer, Bill. You know a lot more about these bikes than I do! I hope we CAN get together in the future!:-D

[RobGS850L]

If it's a gasket I think a compression test would be in order. Usually a bad gasket or tightening problem would end up with a miss or dead cylinder. Maybe the pop or puff of smoke came from one of the carbs? Or an exhaust port from a poorly seated header gasket? Wishful thinking maybe but I'd look at that stuff first.

[chuckycheese]

If it's a gasket I think a compression test would be in order. Usually a bad gasket or tightening problem would end up with a miss or dead cylinder. Maybe the pop or puff of smoke came from one of the carbs? Or an exhaust port from a poorly seated header gasket? Wishful thinking maybe but I'd look at that stuff first.

Those are great points! I'll do a compression test before I do anything else; should be interesting since the rebuilt engine only has 3000 miles on it. I'm sure it's coming from the gasket area away from the exhaust pipes...(In back between the head and the carbs).

[tkent02]

(In back between the head and the carbs).

Have you replaced the o-rings between the rubber boots and the head?
A little intake backfire could blow a little puff of smoke out there.

[chuckycheese]

None

Have you replaced the o-rings between the rubber boots and the head?
A little intake backfire could blow a little puff of smoke out there.

This model doesn't have "O" rings there but I have inspected that area pretty carefully while it's running.