crusty head

[Anonymous]

is it necesary to take all the valves out to clean the head?


i have a feeling this is a stupid question:roll:

Ian

[Hap Call]

Re: crusty head

is it necesary to take all the valves out to clean the head?


i have a feeling this is a stupid question:roll:

Ian

Not a stupid question at all. If you are not showing signs of a stuck valve, I would not remove the valves. I would just get a soft metal brush (brass) and remove the carbon from the combustion chamber and valve surfaces. Use a small screwdrive or scribe to lightly clean around the valves. Make sure that you remove as much carbon as possible and do not leave any as it will have a tendency to heat up and cause pinging.

If you have a ton of miles on the bike you may just want to have a valve job done...I suggest you take it to a shop to have this done as it requires a lot of special tools.

Hap

[SqDancerLynn1]

Alot of people may disagree But having to go thru all of the work and expense of removing the head I would have a valve job done. Other wise you are only doing half the job.

[saaz]

Gaskets are exprensive, so I would do what work is needed when the head is off. If it all seems great, at least replace the valve stem seals. I think mine have hardened with age and a few periods when the bike was off the road.

[Anonymous]

Hap Call wrote:

Not a stupid question at all. If you are not showing signs of a stuck valve, I would not remove the valves. I would just get a soft metal brush (brass) and remove the carbon from the combustion chamber and valve surfaces. Use a small screwdrive or scribe to lightly clean around the valves. Make sure that you remove as much carbon as possible and do not leave any as it will have a tendency to heat up and cause pinging.

If you have a ton of miles on the bike you may just want to have a valve job done...I suggest you take it to a shop to have this done as it requires a lot of special tools.

Hap

Hap, thnks for the advice/...my #4 cylinder was pinging quite badly whe under a load, and i thought it was a carb problem, and when i took the head off, the #4 cyl. had lots of carbon build up. the enging has 35,000 miles on it, and i cant believe it runs as good as it does!!!


saaz wrote:
Gaskets are exprensive, so I would do what work is needed when the head is off. If it all seems great, at least replace the valve stem seals. I think mine have hardened with age and a few periods when the bike was off the road.

I got a topend gasket kit for 15 dollars off ebay!!!!


Ian