Base gasket replacement

I have the jugs off and want to put a new base gasket on, but the old one is really stuck to the case. I tried scraping it with a steel chisel, but there's no way I would be able to get it off without damaging the aluminum. I'm also worried about getting pieces of the gasket into the crankcase.

So I was thinking about just putting the new gasket over the old one, which is squished really flat to begin with. Is this a terrible idea? Is there an easier way to get the gasket loose?

Thanks,
Chris

Go get a spray can of Gasket Remover at the Parts store, it will eat it off quite easily.

I had a feeling there would be something super easy like that! Thanks!

I've used the permatex gasket remover. Low VOC kind. I let it set over night and then used a razor blade. The gasket remover stuff really softened up the gasket.

chrispysaki wrote:

So I was thinking about just putting the new gasket over the old one, which is squished really flat to begin with. Is this a terrible idea?

Absolutely horrible, don't even think about it.

chrispysaki wrote:

I have the jugs off and want to put a new base gasket on, but the old one is really stuck to the case. I tried scraping it with a steel chisel, but there's no way I would be able to get it off without damaging the aluminum.

you can soften it with brake fluid. The factory seals that gasket with super glue like 3 bond (I already went through this). Pack shop rags in to prevent the stuff from falling down. Use a single sided razor, hold it straight up to scrape it. Go slow, figure on spending a couple of hours. vacuum the crud up after a little bit and work around.

Motor Head wrote:

Go get a spray can of Gasket Remover at the Parts store, it will eat it off quite easily.

That works on gasket material but my base gasket was held on with permanent sealer similar to three bond. You have to scrape it off.

bountyhunter wrote:

Motor Head wrote:

Go get a spray can of Gasket Remover at the Parts store, it will eat it off quite easily.

That works on gasket material but my base gasket was held on with permanent sealer similar to three bond. You have to scrape it off.

I just went threw this and bountyhunter is rite. I tryed the gasket remover and it softened the gasket a little,mostly scrapeing is what got mine off. Alot of scrapeing. :blink:
Tom

Wow, I guess I know what I'm doing for the next couple nights!

yeah, took me a while. I probably spent 3 hours total of scraping, not counting the time waiting for the remover to do its stuff.

a good putty knife works well.bj

The secret to not gouging the metal is to always keep the scraping tool straight vertical.

After you get the stuff scraped off, I recommend going over the surface with scotchbrite pad and then wiping with acetone. It will be super clean then.

I used a thin bead of black sealer on my base gasket. 3-bond or similar is good. It makes it harder to remove but you hardly ever change that gasket, and it will absolutely never leak..

Got it scraped off last night. Took about 2.5 hours and a total PITA. Definitely not a project I'd like to repeat anytime soon. That scotch brite pad is a good idea, I'll give that a shot tonight.

I did get a couple small schnibbles of the gasket into the crank case - will that cause problems later on? I'm not sure how I'd get them out.