Head Gasket

[DavidZ1R]

When I rebuilt the engine on my kz550, I used all new gaskets and seals from Vesrah, all ok except the head gasket weeps oil from both sides, I have tightened the nuts to the recommended torque, any suggestions why the weeps?

[z1bman]

have you got the oil jets fitted to the cylinder with the oval shaped o ring either side of the cylinder ?

[pertonpc]

Hi Dave,

Dave Marsden gave me a tip to grease the gasket before fitting.

Seemed to work on mine.

Also fit the gasket. torque it up, run the bike for a 100 miles or so and then re-torque it. The gasket compresses with heat expansion and you may find you can get a bit more on the screws without going over the original torque setting.

If your leak is near cam caps use an rtv type sealant.

Hope that helps a bit.

from Mark

[DavidZ1R]

Yes Z1B Man, jets with seals fitted, all done by the book, never greased the gasket tho, never saw that tip, done 250 miles now, will check the tightness again, see how it goes then.

[z1bman]

did your oil jets look like these as they where modified to prevent the problem you are experiencing the old type where flat & oval these modified jets are oval but they protrude into the oil way in the head to prevent oil leaking from the head

new type



old type

[DavidZ1R]

Bugger, the old type.