top head gasket leaking.

Gonna replace the top head gasket on my bike,its leaking. Any tips one the type of gasket to buy? I never replaced a head gasket on a kz but am very mechanical so i think i'll be ok,that and i have a repair book:) Any advice feel free:)

kzmarvo wrote:

Gonna replace the top head gasket on my bike,its leaking. Any tips one the type of gasket to buy? I never replaced a head gasket on a kz but am very mechanical so i think i'll be ok,that and i have a repair book:) Any advice feel free:)

top head gasket -- the head gasket lies between the head and cylinder block. The valve cover gasket lies between the valve cover and head. Am wondering if top head gasket is actually referring to the valve cover gasket.



If not already done, before replacing head gasket, would first - - -

Torque all head nuts to specs, and perform leak-down test to confirm source of leak.

Double-check other possible common leak sources:
Tach drive;
Valve cover gasket;
Half-moon cam plugs;
Exhaust ports;
Oil cooler hose connections.

Clean and thoroughly dry engine without starting it. Next, start engine and use flashlight to closely inspect and determine exact source of leak.

Z1E probably carries the head gasket. Where applicable, would use the oem style two piece gasket (not copper).

Good Luck!

P.S. If only concerned with the valve cover gasket, Z1E may also have it available. Same for the half-moon cam end plugs.

Patton wrote:

kzmarvo wrote:

Gonna replace the top head gasket on my bike,its leaking. Any tips one the type of gasket to buy? I never replaced a head gasket on a kz but am very mechanical so i think i'll be ok,that and i have a repair book:) Any advice feel free:)

top head gasket -- the head gasket lies between the head and cylinder block. The valve cover gasket lies between the valve cover and head. Am wondering if top head gasket is actually referring to the valve cover gasket.



If not already done, before replacing head gasket, would first - - -

Torque all head nuts to specs, and perform leak-down test to confirm source of leak.

Double-check other possible common leak sources:
Tach drive;
Valve cover gasket;
Half-moon cam plugs;
Exhaust ports;
Oil cooler hose connections.

Clean and thoroughly dry engine without starting it. Next, start engine and use flashlight to closely inspect and determine exact source of leak.

Z1E probably carries the head gasket. Where applicable, would use the oem style two piece gasket (not copper).

Good Luck!

P.S. If only concerned with the valve cover gasket, Z1E may also have it available. Same for the half-moon cam end plugs.

what patton said.......my bike was leaking from all of the above when i got it!!!lol
if its really smeg covered, simple green motor cold and try to find the source....good luck....

To locate a suspected oil leak I first throughly degrease the engine,wash again with some liquid clothes soap in a high concentrate, rinse well,dry using low pressure air, and then spray the aeresol foot powder and start the engine.

The foot powder will reveal where the oil leak is and is easy washed off with soap and water afterwards.

MFolks wrote:

To locate a suspected oil leak I first throughly degrease the engine,wash again with some liquid clothes soap in a high concentrate, rinse well,dry using low pressure air, and then spray the aeresol foot powder and start the engine.

The foot powder will reveal where the oil leak is and is easy washed off with soap and water afterwards.

Good call, and thanks for that info!

In the past I've suggested using underarm spray deodorant with powder, believed since discontinued due to health concerns. But had not thought about the powdered foot spray.

thanks for the advice,its for sure the top head gasket. What is the labor on this,shop told me 6 hours.

kzmarvo wrote:

thanks for the advice,its for sure the top head gasket. What is the labor on this,shop told me 6 hours.

What year and model KZ?

kzmarvo wrote:

thanks for the advice,its for sure the top head gasket. What is the labor on this,shop told me 6 hours.

Six hours sounds pretty reasonable. You have to R+R the gas tank, carburetors, coils, exhaust pipes, head, camshafts, cam chain, etc. You will want to lap the valves and replace the valve guide seals while the head is off, the added cost to do it is minimal if you are pulling the head.

If you are new at this and going to do it yourself. First, get a manual. Unless you already have one. They are worth every penny. especially the factory ones.

So while I'm at it. What does everybody think of spraying a head gasket with Permatex High Tack? You know ,the red sticky stuff. We used to use it on our dirt bike when we were kids. It worked great! Never had a leak.

Ok, well this is good timing, I'm also going to replace my 650's head gasket, so the info provided above is great. I'm guessing using baby powder would have the same result in trying to pinpoint the leak?

Now onto a related question (without hijacking this thread): how complicated of a job is it to do it myself? I have some mechanical skills, I have a Clymer manual, and I'm pretty patient!

Cannot afford the shop's labour costs, hence the reason to try it myself.

bike is a 1973 kz900 engine is a 1977kz 1000.

SebRain77 wrote:

Ok, well this is good timing, I'm also going to replace my 650's head gasket, so the info provided above is great. I'm guessing using baby powder would have the same result in trying to pinpoint the leak?

Now onto a related question (without hijacking this thread): how complicated of a job is it to do it myself? I have some mechanical skills, I have a Clymer manual, and I'm pretty patient!

Cannot afford the shop's labour costs, hence the reason to try it myself.

I can tell you for sure it would be impossible to do mine without the factory service manual. I don't think Clymers are worth much.