Initial start Head Gasket leaking

I just got my engine on my Kz900Ltd ready for the initial start up. Everything seemed to check out fine. It's not like this is my first rebuild. Got it up and running with no problems. Runs great. However, I noticed that the Head gasket is leaking on the both outside ends. So I shut it off and retorqued the head . Started it again and it's still leaking. Will this heal up on it own or am I going to have to tear it back down and replace the Head gasket?

Doubtful it will stop on it's own (hope you let it cool before re-torquing). Sounds like oil from the outer rear studs that feed the head. Did you renew the 'o' rings in that area.

Yeah, I was going to say it sounds like the O rings that seal the oil passages going up into the top of the head.

did you check the head and block for square. also there aren't any o-rings between the oil galleries on the 900 or 1000 early models that didn't start until the j model

I assume when you say it's "leaking" you mean leaking oil? Or is it leaking air/gas?

To those who mentioned "o-rings", correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought this model does not use o-rings at the outside oil passages where the head meets the cyls. There is only that funny-shaped oblong o-ring around the cam chain passage.

I know the "J" engine has o-rings there, but not the KZ900.

Am I wrong?

just let it cool down and try retourquing the head nuts again.

Yea,there are no o-rings on this one. I did let it cool before I re torqued . It was chirping before I retorqued it. But It's not doing that now. I'll just keep an eye on it. If it persists on leaking (oil that is) I'll just have to change out the gaskets. I think I used the wrong torque spec at first (113 in. lbs)should have been 30 ft. lbs. My mistake. Damn!

Curious as to what you mean by "chirping"- did it make a sound like an exhaust leak ? Have a good reason to ask this ? Thanks.

dshelly wrote:

Yea,there are no o-rings on this one. I did let it cool before I re torqued . It was chirping before I retorqued it. But It's not doing that now. I'll just keep an eye on it. If it persists on leaking (oil that is) I'll just have to change out the gaskets. I think I used the wrong torque spec at first (113 in. lbs)should have been 30 ft. lbs. My mistake. Damn!

I would say that would make a difference, that is more than three times the torque. The problem you will have now is that once gasket gets oily it will persist on leaking.

Luck must be on my side today. Just checked the torque again. Started it up and low and behold I don't see any leaks. Had me scared there for a minute. Hopefully the oil on the gasket doesn't comprmise the seal. I'll Keep my fingers crossed. Thanks all.

Make you sure that you heat it up again and re-torque.

Will do, Thanks otakar.