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Gasket removal

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by DaveXJ, Jan 9, 2012.

  1. DaveXJ

    DaveXJ Member

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    Guys i took off most of my engine side covers to clean and polish. What is the best way to remove the paper gaskets? They all are stuck on the covers, not the engine. I dont want to mess up the sealing surface seeing its aluminum.
     
  2. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    I only had one gasket that didn't come off easy. I just used a razor blade scraper for paint.

    As long as you're careful you won't gouge the aluminum.
     
  3. BluesBass

    BluesBass Member

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    I was wary about using a razor blade, so I got a sheetrock inch-wide knife and used that to scrape. The dull flexible blade helped make sure I didn't gouge or scrape into the machined surfaces and allowed me to get the gaskets off.
     
  4. DaveXJ

    DaveXJ Member

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    I did find a post on here where a guy used airplane stripper to help loosen the gasket and said it worked well. I need to get some anyway to get the old sealant off the aluminum covers. i will try that first and see how it goes.
     
  5. BluesBass

    BluesBass Member

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    Aircraft stripper is insanely powerful and very strong. Make sure to invest in a good pair of THICK rubber gloves, not just latex gloves. The overspray from my first can ate right through a pair of latex gloves and required me to stop with paint removal and deal with immediate intense skin irritation. That stuff works insanely well on paint. It successfully stripped 30 year old paint off of every part I applied it to. Never thought to try it on stuck-on paper gaskets..
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Airplane stripper is GREAT for removing the original clearcoat on these bikes;

    but when it won't even work, you need Permatex/NAPA SPRAY gasket remover. NOT the new, odorless, politically correct stuff in the non-aerosol bottle with the applicator tip. The old school spray gasket remover; it's even nastier than Aircraft Paint Remover.

    I use a dull chisel-blade X-Acto knife CAREFULLY to peel off old gaskets. You can use a razor blade, a box knife-- as long as you're careful not to remove aluminum.

    I'd say use a real gasket scraper, but the one I have (a very common one) is way too big to be effective on 1/4" wide gasket surfaces.
     
  7. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  8. dmccoach

    dmccoach Member

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    If you've already removed the clear -- try a propane torch to warm up then heat up the part, along, just under the gasket -- a few inches at a time -- get it to "just the right temp" and NOT any hotter and the gaskets come right up

     
  9. DaveXJ

    DaveXJ Member

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    I have them all checked and ready to order shims. I am just holding off for a little bit because i am ordering alot of stuff from Chacal. Nice write up too.
     
  10. slowboattochina

    slowboattochina Member

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    Just wait until you have to scrape the gasket off after you remove a valve cover. Fun, fun, fun!
     

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