Any tricks?

I just put my top end back together on my 1000 and my base gasket is leaking. As for retorguing I know that trick, but the gasket got flipped up by the piston when I was putting it back together and it got torn half way, so I put some RTV sealer on it to keep it down. Now when I ride it the thing leaks. Do you guys know of any quick fixes, welds, something you have done in the past to prevent hard work, or is this gonna have to be a do over? And don't say do over, I know if this was a customers bike it would be one!

I dont think you have much choice, if you want it done right you need to redo it, I have seen a spray that is clear and dries hard just for this sort of thing, but never used it and dont remember what it is called

Dam!

The gasket probly split all the way after torqing it. I have put these gaskets on dry with the surface dry and had no problems. Everytime I use a sealer or any thing on the gasket they leak.
My advise would to replace as soon as it split in the first place.:pinch: . Now you have to take the top end back off and get another head gasket:sick:

katjbus wrote:

. . . I have seen a spray that is clear and dries hard just for this sort of thing, but never used it and dont remember what it is called

It's made by Permatex, and it's worth trying before a major teardown, especially since it's a seep leak, not a pressure fed leak.

The only place I have seen it for sale is at NAPA, and the stuff is about $6.00 for the can.

I have used it before and it worked.

Get the engine warm. Too hot to hold, but not too hot to touch.

Spray the area with BRAKE CLEANER, not carb cleaner, to flush out the oil.

Let it dry for a bit. The heat will help.

Spray a thin coat of sealer and let dry. You can wipe off overspray because the stuff flows into the seams where the leak is.

Spray a thin coat of sealer and let dry.

Spray a third layer and let dry.

Try using. Leak should be gone or very small.

If leak is still present, repeat process.

It may not look pretty, but it's worth a shot.

A trick I've used in the distant past is using a shop vac to pull a full vaccum on the crankcase and push your sealant into the leak and let the vac pull it in.

This brings up every bad mechanic story I know.
Just fix it correctly now, with a new gasket.
Everything suggested will not work, or will make the problem worse.

What were you thinking? If the gasket gets torn during assembly you replace it. There are no options.

Let's hear the story!

If it's not leaking badly, I would ride it and see if it stops. After a few miles it may stop. Be sure your breather is not restricted as well as that may make it leak more due to pressure in the crankcases.