blown head gasket

[yingding]

hello people, now i've only had this l2 for a couple of months, 1st thing i did was to give her an oil+filter change put in fully synthetic 10/40w
approx 1000 miles later a misfire started, i replaced plugs hey presto misfire goes, 500 miles more misfire is back with a vengence, checking over i see milky residue in sump now i've always had a coolant problem, been flushing rusty crap through so i decide enough, investigate further and yes its leaking from the lowest exhaust joint. it is my fault but i have to treat her better so please people, i ask cause it will be a first four stroke header for me, can any one help ? p.s. yes i have a manual

[cargo]

might not be a head gasket

There is a little drain hole just below each exhaust outlet that comes from each spark plug recess. Could just be an oil leak from one of the rubber seals on the sprk plug recess

[RedexRobB]

As cargo said the oil is more than likely the plug well seals.

I had a head gasket go on my first ZXR and had the exact same symptoms, mainly with starting where coolant has let itself in and fouled the plugs. Sometimes it would start on a couple of cylinders but with a couple of handfuls of throttle it would usually clear out and be ok. Had cooling issues too, try and get a compression test done that will confirm it for sure, and dont leave it too long either. I left mine and eventually it overheated and ruined the cams from overheating, result was one knackered engine

Where did you see the milky residue? If it was on the cap thats usually normal, if in the oil window thats also normal but usually only when the bike is used for short journeys.

[yingding]

might not be a head gasket

There is a little drain hole just below each exhaust outlet that comes from each spark plug recess. Could just be an oil leak from one of the rubber seals on the sprk plug recess

the cylinder drain plugs right ? two of them ? they look fine i'll replace seals any how as loads of air getting into coolant system somehow

[yingding]

As cargo said the oil is more than likely the plug well seals.

I had a head gasket go on my first ZXR and had the exact same symptoms, mainly with starting where coolant has let itself in and fouled the plugs. Sometimes it would start on a couple of cylinders but with a couple of handfuls of throttle it would usually clear out and be ok. Had cooling issues too, try and get a compression test done that will confirm it for sure, and dont leave it too long either. I left mine and eventually it overheated and ruined the cams from overheating, result was one knackered engine

Where did you see the milky residue? If it was on the cap thats usually normal, if in the oil window thats also normal but usually only when the bike is used for short journeys.

gonna get a compression test done asap,
first i saw the milky dread on the cap, then crept up to the window and is now trying to take over the sump.
my usual trip would be the fifteen miles to work, city and counrty twisties so should be plenty warmed up and settled eh, cheers

[cargo]

might not be a head gasket

There is a little drain hole just below each exhaust outlet that comes from each spark plug recess. Could just be an oil leak from one of the rubber seals on the sprk plug recess

the cylinder drain plugs right ? two of them ? they look fine i'll replace seals any how as loads of air getting into coolant system somehow

In a word NO

I'm talking about the 4 little drain holes for the spark plug recess....read the post.
If oil is seeping from the ruber seals in the sprk plug recess then it will appear at the drain holes give it a few days and some wind blast and it can look very much like a blown head gasket

[yingding]

sorry i'm with you now,they are little eh. But they do appear to be clean externally. I do apologise as i am just learning about my motor right now, bike is now off the road and with all my spare time devoted to fixing my pride and . Proceeding to get engine out and investigate further, booked motor into dealership on 21st july so if i cant suss it by then i'll just have to pay up. airbox has milky congealed crap on left hand side, rocker cover off to see more milky gunk everywhere. more work tomorrow

[RedexRobB]

airbox has milky congealed crap on left hand side, rocker cover off to see more milky gunk everywhere. more work tomorrow

Thats definately not normal. Obviously water in there somewhere!

[yingding]

well motor out of bike now, got the head and base gaskets locally plan to take the little sneezer to barton motors in bath who were recommended and very helpfull on phone, to do the deed of which i aint got the confidence to... yet
keep you posted.

[yingding]

ok, gaskets fitted, barrels honed, cam chain timed by barton motors of bath who although took a few days gave me good service, pretty happy as they only charged for 4 hours labour.
motor fitted, every thing back together fired her up, nice but after test drive she is mainly running on three cylinders at mid range it clears very suddenly and if the road allows i can open the throttle running cleanly to higher end of revs. change gear or ease of throttle and back to three cylinders
i don't know if this is electric or feul related so tomorrow its out wid plugs to see if they can give clues, at least now she's no longer overheating

1 l2 28k i think the ht leads and plug caps are the originals too old ?

2 bike had been stood for prolonged periods b4 i bought her blocked jet ?

3 anyone got a crystal ball ?

[cargo]

Which cylinder is off ?

[yingding]

Which cylinder is off ?

sorry for the delay, had the kids last week and for being a wanabe mechanic
its 1st cylinder, left to right, very weak intermittent spark resting it on rocker cover, i snipped and refreshed end of ht lead now no spark so obviously i will replace the lead.
now time for another silly question;
the right hand side coils left bolt was missing upon dismantling, i have bought a bolt and flanged type spacer (genuine part) but i will be f**ked if i can locate the bugger, i can see a thread within a rubber gromet but it seems to be 'floating' inbetween the coil housing and frame too much or needs to be squeezed back into position (aint got a garage and i run out of sunlight) havent got my head around these particular fixings yet obviously but judging by the rubber gromets my guess is that the coils should not be earthed to frame ?

apologies to all now as this thread has come away from 'blown head gascket'

blimey, amateurs eh ?

[RedexRobB]

Coils dont need to be earthed to the frame at all. Those fixings are called 'well nuts', you can keep them in place by using a bit of superglue, iirc those particular ones need pressing into place.

[yingding]

ok sorted sparking probs, took her out for a test ride and it went ping, then knocking so investigated further 1st cyl plug has been 'hit', metal bits in airbox
so engine back out and i find this;



now bearing in mind that i havent managed to do 50 miles since garage rebuilt the motor i think they are to blame but what is it cam chain tension/position wrong ?

[extonyg]

looks possible that they have overtightened the cam caps causing it to brake off and then brake the valve,also could be a problem with valve clearances.i would leave it as it is and take it straight back to that garage!