Engine Just Blew??

I can't believe this just happened, but oil is pouring out of my engine on only the 3rd or 4th ride after a bare frame restoration.

It looks like it's coming out of the #2 exhaust and is leaking everywhere. What could have happened? I'm guessing bent valve??

Motor is brand new and includes 1260cc MTC, extensive headwork with oversize valves and cams, everything brand new.

Ran excellent last time out and would barely run right from the start this time. I pulled over to see if a plug wire was loose or something, and noticed the oil after about 3 miles of riding. Any ideas as to the cause of death??

OH! NO!
Did u over rev it?
have u readjusted the cam chain after riding? mine is stretching like the drive chain.I'm asuming u put in a new 1?

I think I might have found a much better problem, relatively speaking. I've never seen this, but I seem to have "blown" a valve cover gasket! After I calmed down, I wiped things down and restarted it. It doesn't sound like anything internal at all. I noticed some new oil literally flowing out of the valve cover gasket and down near the inside cylinder head nuts. I think it might have worked it's way out in front of the engine and down onto the #2 exhaust. I assumed the oil had blown all over, but it looks like it might be coming from there. Check out this picture:

i think you might have found your leak....hope thats all it is....good luck!!

THAT SUCKS!!!!

Seriously, our hearts bleed for you... Oh KZ GOD's, please let this just be a gasket....

Question, what kind of gasket is that?
I mean it almost looks like polymer based versus paper/metal or copper gaskets... Most likely the image is deceiving.

Question 2: Had you also replaced the cylinder studs with heavy duty studs as well?

Since you were able to re-start it with no apparent sounds (extensive/internal damages) I would think that major damage hasn't occurred. With extensive head damage (valves, CAM, timing components etc...) I would believe it would start (if lucky) and run like total crap.

Obviously it's not ceased but I'd be real careful before starting it again until further break down of the top end and investigation can take place.

This is a damn shame...

Sorry to hear of this our KZ brother...

OMR

Man that's a BUMMER. OK so you may have found the leak but why was it running poorly? Beautiful bike though, what's that swing arm from?

Mark

What Mark said.x 2
Dont forget to check that cam chain tension if u havent recently.
Good luck,keep us posted.

Things have been crazy here at home so I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to take off the cam cover. This weekend, I hope.

The gasket is from Z-1 enterprises. I've never seen the blue ones, and they seem a little thin, but I assumed it would be OK. I'm not sure how that could have happened, but I'll be looking into it ASAP.

There are heavy duty studs and I haven't checked my cam chain yet, but sure will. I think I only have about 50 miles total on this rebuild, but better safe than sorry.

Man I hope that's all it is. After I thought about it, if it were an internal problem, I think I would have seen some engine smoke too and I didn't. Oil was pouring onto the exhaust and I was afraid it was going to catch on fire. That would have been pretty bad, to say the least.

I'm not yet sure why it was running bad though. I have to look into that. I had rebuilt the gas cap since my last ride so maybe the vent is messed up?? I didn't hear a "sucking" sound when I opened it and it didn't seem to get better when opened, so I think it's OK, but still a possibility.

I'm hoping for a fouled plug since I'm still messing with the brand new carbs and it was really warm here today. One thing I have noticed is that the center cylinders seem to run leaner. Is that normal with a big engine? Maybe I'll have to compensate by jetting 2 & 3 differently?

I'll keep you guys posted - thanks.

Oh, almost forgot...

The swingarm is from Klasmo in Germany. I had them make a 6" over version and move the shock mounts back one inch. They now list it on their site. I bought it several years ago though when the dollar was still real money. It would cost about $900 right now, compared to about $650 when I bought it. Shipping has gone way up too. I'll post a link if I can find it.

Found it - here it is:

Swingarm Link

As much as I like stock, I'll have to say you've done a fabulous job there on the MKII. Hope it works out as an easy fix.

sand down the chrome on the gasket mating surface of valve cover to roughin it up when replacing gasket,chrome on gasket sealing surfaces sucks!:S

That is one beautiful machine.Best of luck.