head bolts leaking.

A couple head bolts are leaking. What's the fix? I tried to tighten them down a little, but I was afraid to crack something and I don't think I helped it. Are there gaskets in there?
Thanks for any help.
Rob
Kz1100 Spectre

Leaking oil or combustion by-products?
4 of the head bolts have oil running around them to lubricate the top end. They are sealed by copper crush gaskets at the top, and by o-rings where the head fits onto the cylinder.
If it is leaking exhaust gases you may need to replace the head gasket.

Its leaking oil. so I can just replace the bolt's gaskets?? That would be too easy!

You can even reuse the old ones, pull the head bolts then fish the washers out of there. Heat them up red hot with a torch, then drop them in a bucket of water. Then clean off any crud (a wire wheel works well for this) then reinstall them and re torque the head bolts, make sure to use a proper torque wrench and find the proper spec. in your service manual.


Are the crush washers all that seal the oil passages on the top of the head?

Strange. I just reuse mine, no big deal!

to Sears I go to get a torque wrench. I've been looking for excuse to buy one and this bike is a good reason. Everyone tells me to pay attention to the torque nspecs. thanks for your help.

spectrerob wrote:

to Sears I go to get a torque wrench. I've been looking for excuse to buy one and this bike is a good reason. Everyone tells me to pay attention to the torque nspecs. thanks for your help.

Wait, spectrerob! Forget Sears!

The original genuine Black Forest brand torque wrench has no equal, being scientifically calibrated to the precise German Virgin Standard, which in most applications should be set to Guttentite (as opposed to the more commonly recognized method of turn it until it strips, then back off 1/2 turn).

Hope this helps.