changing the cylinder head gasket

I have a 1982 xj650 maxim thats i bought two years ago. This summer I took it on a 11,000 mile journey from portland, me to portland, or and many places in between. Luckily, b/c i have very limited knowledge on bike maintenance she lasted the whole trip w/ only the headlight going out and the engine continuously flooding one cold morning in wyoming. However, near the end of the trip oil began to leak out of the left side where the cover of the cylinder head cover meets the gasket.

The question is... is there any trick or troubles that may arise if i take off the cylinder head cover and replace the gasket with a new one. I really dont know much aout mechanics so if this is a stupid question please forgive me.

Thanks

 

the trick will be resetting the timing when you put it back together. To take the head off, you have to take out the cams. When you put them back in you'll have to align the markings on the 2 cams, while aligning the markings on the driveshaft, then put the chain that connects them to the driveshaft back on the cam sprockets. It takes some time to get it all lined up. The haynes manual does a great job of giving step by step instructions though, so pick one up!

 

Also, search these forums for write-ups on installing a new head gasket, you'll get some good tips not in the manual.

 

I take it you mean part way down the side of where the fins are sticking out? that is the head gasket.

It's not a bad process to go through, just takes time to be thorough. Be sure to get the complete top end kit from chacal or similar in case you decide to lift off the cylinder bases or do any other gaskets nearby while you're at it.

Took me a while to get the job done because I did not have a solid spare amount of time, having a young baby to help care for prevented that.

 

"Head cover" do you simply mean the very top cover, the valve cover?

If so, you need a new gasket and new rubber "donuts" for the bolts (YICS motor) or just a new gasket (non-YICS motor.

On the YICS motors, the rubber donuts on the bolts are what press the cover down, as the bolts themselves have collars that limit how far they can be tightened.

If you mean the actual HEAD gasket, then the first thing you need is a book.

 

I'm voting for "Head cover"

shmangzy
Where on this picture is your leak?
Green = Gasket, head cover (Easy fix) you might just tighten it with a hex head wrench)

Red = head gasket (get a manual)

ab

 

WHOA UP there ab. DO NOT try to "tighten up" the valve cover bolts, they have STOP COLLARS on them (YICS motors) and cannot be "tightened up." Torque is 7.2 ft/lb, anything tighter is just stripping the holes. If it's a valve cover leak you need a new gasket and the rubber donuts.

If you don't have a YICS motor then you can try snugging them up a bit more...

 

^^^Ditto Fitz^^^

 

The leak is at the green. THanks for all the quick responses I just joined this site but it has already helped me a ton. I hope this messege comes out right b/c i tried using the "quote" thing.

 

I'm pretty sure I need to put the new gasket in b/c it looks like it has weathered away or degraded on the side its leaking but looks to be in good shape on the other side. I think that it might have started to melt or something like that during some of the longer days in very high heat this summer but im not sure why just one side. anyways i have a haynes manual ordered so hopefully that will help during the process but from what you all are saying as long as i have some time it shouldnt be too hard to handle.

 

[quote="bigfitz52]...so, you need a new gasket and new rubber "donuts" for the bolts (YICS motor) or just a new gasket (non-YICS motor.)
[/quote]

What you're looking for is the valve cover gasket. The head gasket is much more involved (and much less likely to need replacing.)

 

True BUT

I've had a little luck over the years on a few oil leaks if I touch up the bolts around the leak.
One time I found a bolt or two that the PO had obviously missed (finger tight).

ab

 

I want to hear more about this trip you took, any logs online, pics, etc?

 

i only have a few pictures as i kind of like to travel with as little technology as possible. no cell phone, or gps or anything, but ill write up a little thing about the trip and post a few of the picture i have. sometime soon, b/c this weekend i'm heading down to boston to pick up a xj 550 maxim with my roommate. its his first bike.

 

hey all. well finally have the bike out of storage from the montreal winter and the head cover gasket and head cover bolts have arrived and i'm ready to raplace but I was wondering if there were any other tips. I have read up and think i hav a good grasp on how to actually change the head cover gasket which doesnt seem too difficult but wondering...

do i need to drain all the oil before taking off the head cover to replace the gasket?

and any other advice. thanks

 

Nope you can take the valve cover off without draining the oil.

 

and while you're in there, you might as well check your valve clearances. there's a nice write up here that shows how to check valves and replace the valve cover gasket and donuts.

 

thanks for the tip