head gasket or fooked?????

[SINGATINI]

Hi all can anyone help?
I was out on a ride on my lonesome the other day when i saw my temp gauge rising,
i slowed down then the bike ed and spluttered like it was dying or starved of fuel!
it cut out so i waited for a few minutes freezing my unos off in the dark
i managed to get it going so i could get home
10 miles in 1 hour :smt013
by the time i got home all the water seemed to be gone in the rad and overflow
when i took the tank out to check for a thrown set of plugs or something simple they seemed wet with water including the supressor caps
darent start it now?
going to buy a 636 to tide me over till i can sort this mess help anyone
I am not a mechanic but know the basics of engine stripping can do scoots blindfolded

[RedexRobB]

What are the suppressor caps? you mean the plug caps? Not sure why they would be wet.

But sounds like the head gasket alright, its pressurised the system and pumped the coolant clean out.

[jake]

i would 'nt worry bout it if ya can buy yrself a 636 to tide you over!

[SINGATINI]

is the head gasket an easy job? and where do i get one from??

[RedexRobB]

Its a day or two of work if you know what you are doing. We dont have anything comprehensive on changing the head gasket but we do have the manuals!

http://www.zxrworld.co.uk/zxr400/manual.html

[SINGATINI]

where can i get the gaskets i need from?
engine in or out?
after i replace it timing or anything with carbs?
anything else whilst i am in there?
thanks Rob
john

[zimm]

it does sound like the head gasket has gone ..

its fairly easy to do if you know what you are doing.. as has been said, the manuals are on the site here ..

all parts available from .. errm a kawasaki dealership.. cradeley heath, bristol kawasaki, they all do mail order .. you'll need both head and base gaskets..

however, if you rode it that far with no water in it .. you've probably lunched it completely, rings knackered, pistons/barrels scored, cams shot ..

probably best to get a replacement engine.

course, it could be a burst hose .. but again, ridden that far with no water and already overhearting, its probably fecked.