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Nobbylad · 20-06-11, 03:08 PM

I fitted a new front cam chain the other week and once everything was back together, the bike ran like a dream...very smooth.

However, after running the engine up to temp and then switching off, as I was clearing everything away, I noticed an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket just above the coolant pipe on the back of the front cylinder.

I went to re-torque the head bolts, even though they'd been done as per manual previously, however when I got to the 2 x bolts in the cam chain tunnel, the bottom one snapped. Now I deffo set the torque wrench correctly, it's a lot less for those 2 than the 4 x head bolts, however the bottom one still snapped.

So, off with the head again and luckily there was a few mill of thread sticking out and I was able to unwind it with my fingers.

I have a new gasket (and bolt) and will be fitting them tonight....any tips on ensuring the head is properly seated and I won't get any more leaks?

Apart from cleaning the surfaces completely (quite easy as they were spotless before and there's only a little of the tacky sealant from the new gasket on there...it was only on for all of 10 mins!), aligning it with the dowels and torquing to the right spec...is there anything else I should do?

20-06-11, 03:08 PM	#1
Nobbylad Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: West Lancs Posts: 4,055	Tips on fitting a new head gasket? I fitted a new front cam chain the other week and once everything was back together, the bike ran like a dream...very smooth. However, after running the engine up to temp and then switching off, as I was clearing everything away, I noticed an oil leak from the cylinder head gasket just above the coolant pipe on the back of the front cylinder. I went to re-torque the head bolts, even though they'd been done as per manual previously, however when I got to the 2 x bolts in the cam chain tunnel, the bottom one snapped. Now I deffo set the torque wrench correctly, it's a lot less for those 2 than the 4 x head bolts, however the bottom one still snapped. So, off with the head again and luckily there was a few mill of thread sticking out and I was able to unwind it with my fingers. I have a new gasket (and bolt) and will be fitting them tonight....any tips on ensuring the head is properly seated and I won't get any more leaks? Apart from cleaning the surfaces completely (quite easy as they were spotless before and there's only a little of the tacky sealant from the new gasket on there...it was only on for all of 10 mins!), aligning it with the dowels and torquing to the right spec...is there anything else I should do?