Can I cry now?

2315 Views 29 Replies 17 Participants Last post by clarkjh, Oct 10, 2009

clarkjh

Discussion Starter · Oct 3, 2009

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Can I cry now?

Samson has started to pump pressure into the coolant. There is no oil contamiants that I can see. #1 is 155lbs, #2 is 170lbs, #3 is 160lbs, and #4 170lbs. Boils the overflow full and more, but will suck out of the overflow as the engine cools.
Only thing I can think of is head gaskets or a cracked head.

James

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AZgl1800

· #2 · Oct 3, 2009

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I can offer you a towel for the tears, and or to soak up the overflow.

Your description sure sounds like a bad head gasket.

newbiker

· #3 · Oct 3, 2009

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I spent about $25 for aluminum level, checked it with engine guys- perfect for checking head and block surface. Processional straight edge is about $100 and 2 weeks wait time.

clarkjh

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 3, 2009

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I have straight edges; former saw filer, just ticks me off as this will be the third set. My machine shop said every thing was flat so I didn't check, but maybe I should have re-torqued after 500KM or so.

James

TrackT2411

· #5 · Oct 3, 2009

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Sorry for your gasket issues. I'm curious, have they all been OEM gaskets? There has been some discussion on another site suggesting that a couple of brands of NON OEM gaskets have some quality issues. Just a thought...

Good wrenchin,
Todd

Bike...and Dennis

· #6 · Oct 3, 2009

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OK, I've read some of your previous posts but can't remember everything. Can't remember where I live sometimes, either. Three sets of headgaskets? Something is wrong there.

Don't take offense but, are you sure you are installing them correctly? Have you got all the dowells and o-rings in the right place?

Another angle, as you said,could bea cracked head or block.

Also, I have heard of some aftermarket headgaskets that are absolutejunk.

One more thought is...maybe it's not the headgaskets but something wrong in the cooling system. A bad thermostat might cause similar problems.

Mostly James, as you can guess, I'm just guessing. And I guess I'd go through the cooling system first to make sure the problem is not there. Because it's easier than changing head gaskets.

At the very least, I'd have a leakdown test done before I tore the heads off again.

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clarkjh

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 3, 2009

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The first set of gaskets was because they where gone when I got the wing. The second set was because I had to completely rebuild the engine when it continued to burn oil. All where after market kits. I'm thinking of getting a couple of OEM or even copper gaskets made. It wouldn't surprise me if the gaskets fell apart from the way they looked when I put them in.
I plan on trying to find a leak down tester I can borrow to test.

This is the first liquid cooled engine I've rebuilt since about 20 years ago when I rebuilt my 1969 250 straight 6.

James

highcountry

· #8 · Oct 4, 2009

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Are you sure that the gauge is reading right? You might try taking it to ground and see if it goes all the way up?

clarkjh

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 4, 2009

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highcountry wrote:

Are you sure that the gauge is reading right? You might try taking it to ground and see if it goes all the way up?

The gauge is working. I'm getting pressure and boiling the coolant out the overflow. Plus the last ride I got extreme amounts of white smoke out the exhaust on startup after sitting off for about 5min at the bank.
Everything is screaming head gasket or cracked head to me. God, better not be a water jacket after all the money I put into this engine.

James

dirt devil

· #10 · Oct 4, 2009

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A simple way to test for bad head gaskets is to pull the rad. cap off and run the bike until it reaches operating temp then start watching for bubbles in the rad.. If there is bubbles then it's gasket time.

Bagmaster

· #11 · Oct 4, 2009

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Maybe the radiator finally needs a good rodding out?

dan filipi

· #12 · Oct 4, 2009

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I was going to suggest checking the thermostat isnt stuck until reading your last post,

"Plus the last ride I got extreme amounts of white smoke out the exhaust on startup after sitting off for about 5min at the bank."

Definately coolant getting into the combustion chamber.

Wingle

· #13 · Oct 4, 2009

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clarkjh wrote:

Can I cry now?

Samson has started to pump pressure into the coolant. There is no oil contamiants that I can see. #1 is 155lbs, #2 is 170lbs, #3 is 160lbs, and #4 170lbs. Boils the overflow full and more, but will suck out of the overflow as the engine cools.
Only thing I can think of is head gaskets or a cracked head.

James

When you checked the compression did you examine the plugs?

exavid

· #14 · Oct 4, 2009

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Your symptoms says head gasket to me too. I've installed head gaskets in four 'Wings and after a problem with the first one decided it's worth the extra dollars to use Honda gaskets. I did put is a set of aftermarket gaskets that the owner of one bike had already purchased and as far as I know they held okay but they weren't as good looking as the OEM ones. I always like to retorque the head bolts after the engine has run a few hours and usually can find one or two bolts that have eased up a bit. I don't back them off and retorque them then, just set the wrench on the proper torque and see if it will break before the bolt moves. One other recommendation is never to install the bolts dry. Clean them up well with a wire wheel and give the threads and under the heads a light coat of moly paste. That will result in higher clamping pressure than using them dry or with an oil or grease lube.

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dan filipi

· #15 · Oct 4, 2009

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Agreed, Honda gaskets only, until the supply runs out.

Also, if you want to make sure you dont have this problem again have the heads surfaced. I just had a 1200 done and was surprised how warped the head was even though it looked good with a straight edge and feeler gauge.

Broke Winger

· #16 · Oct 5, 2009

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I used a gasket kit I got from georgefix on eBay. I have a little over 4k miles on them now with no problems.

In fact I've bought several gaskets from him with good results every time.

knowbuddy

· #17 · Oct 5, 2009

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whatever you do ? by all means.. Stay away from gaskets offered by "Saber Cycle".... knowbuddy

GSMacLean

· #18 · Oct 5, 2009

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Have a look at the plugs, and see if one (or more) is steam-cleaned, and then you'll have your answer.

Cookie

· #19 · Oct 5, 2009

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I imagine he has his answer now. I can't recall,is there any issue with headbolts bottoming out in these engines?
On British bikes I've heard of skimmed heads causing gasket failure for that reason.

rayworx

· #20 · Oct 5, 2009

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Back in the days of the CB750 (the SINGLE cam model) I worked in a Honda dealership. Hell... I worked on Hondas till 2007... but who's counting.

Once and only once I had a problem that was something like your discribing and I was using OEM gaskets... but they continued to blow. The 3rd time I found a dowel pin that was tweeked and kept the head from sitting flat on the engine block. I replaced the dowel pin and had the head resurfaced and all was well.

Just a thought.

Ray

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