Head Gasket Problem - 82 GS1100E

[Anonymous]

I have an 82 GS1100E with 64,000 miles on it. I had the head gasket replaced approximately two years when it had 54,000 miles on it. Now 10,000 miles later, it is leaking again at a different spot on the head. Are GS1100E's known for head gaskets leaks? I've ordered an OEM head gasket from Bikebandit.com and my latest mechanic says he will resurface the head if necessary. Do you think I'll have more success with this repair this time or will I continue to have problems with head gasket leaks?

[redliner1973]

More than likely it leaked on you because the head was slightly warped and needed to be resurfaced the first time. resurface the head, and it should be ok. Also make sure the head is/gets properly torqued. :twisted:

[Anonymous]

Thanks Tim for your quick response to my question. I feel better about the upcoming repair and cost if I know it should fix the problem for the long term.

Larry Woeshnick

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just would like to know, how do you know if the head is leaking?
Does it leak oil or can you hear the compression leaking? Do you see gray/black deposits like you would when an exhaust gasket is leaking?

[Hap Call]

One other thing Larry, it's a good idea to re-torque the head after you've gone through a few heat cycles on the motor.

Hap

[Anonymous]

Keith,

I have alot of oil leaking from the top of the head at the front of the engine area.

Hap,

Thanks for the tip on retorqueing the head.

Larry Woeshnick

[redliner1973]

Might be as simple as a valve cover gasket or tachometer cable o-ring causing it, as long as the power is good and compression checks out. :twisted:

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Keith,

I have alot of oil leaking from the top of the head at the front of the engine area.

Hap,

Thanks for the tip on retorqueing the head.

Larry Woeshnick

To add another tip you may not be aware of. When re-torquing the head, crack the bolts loose first (just a bit) then torque. Always torque the bolts starting in the middle and working your way out. "Stagger" your tightening sequence from front row of bolts to the back row.
For example, going left to right, the front row of bolts are number 1 through 6, the back row numbers 7 through 12. Torquing sequence would be: 4,9,3,10,5,8,2,11,6,7,1,12. (If you have 12 bolts like my bike).
Then torque the smaller bolts on each side, near the plugs, if similar to mine. Torque only a COLD motor.

[saaz]

If the leak is from the top of the head then it may be around the cam cover gasket, particularly the front tunnel. The tacho cable can also create a mess. If it is the head gasket it will only leak from below the head gasket line. A good clean and check will show up any problem.

[Hap Call]

If the leak is from the top of the head then it may be around the cam cover gasket, particularly the front tunnel. The tacho cable can also create a mess. If it is the head gasket it will only leak from below the head gasket line. A good clean and check will show up any problem.

Larry,

Saaz makes a good point here. I would wash the motor well, then ride it a little and see if it's leaking from the valve cover gasket or from when the taqch cable goes into the valve cover. They are notorious for leaking and are an easy fix...a lot easier than pulling the head and replacing the head gasket.

Your discription of the problem points more to these easy-to-fix problems than to the head gasket.

Hap

[Anonymous]

It could also be leaking from the o-rings on the two front center head bolts. A thorough cleaning and short ride will tell.

[Anonymous]

Guys,

The leak area is near the 6 mm cylinder head bolt at the front of the engine between the center exhaust ports, where the cam chain area protrudes outward; which is at the top of the cylinder head. The leak is definately coming from below the head gasket. I'll be taking it to the repair shop tomorrow for the head gasket repair.

Thanks for all your help.

[biker66]

I always use a thin layer of Hylomar or similar goo on the head gasket around the cam chain tunnel.
So, when my bike is messy, it's coming from the valve cover gasket.

[Joe Nardy]

Another thing to check. I remember having a leak on my '83 1100E after removing and re-installing the head that took me a while to figure out and ended up being a simple fix. You say it is leaking near a bolt on the head which is similar to what I was experiencing. My problem was that an o-ring on a head bolt was worn out and leaking. Check out the head schematic from BikeBandit. See items #14 and #17. The schematic shows this bolt to be on the intake side of the head but I am pretty sure there are a couple with o-rings on the exhaust side too. I believe my leak was on the exhaust side between cylinders #1 and #2. If this is where your leak is coming from it would be worth a try to do the o-ring instead of pulling the head.

http://www.bikebandit.com/partsbandit/oem_schematic_view.asp?schem_dept_id=725007&section_dept_id=1&section_dept_name=OEM+%28Stock+Parts%29&dept_type_id=2&model_dept_year=1983&model_dept_mfr=Suzuki&model_dept_id=703603&model_dept_name=GS1100ED

Good Luck,
Joe