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this top-end rebuild will be determined w/ your opinions

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by yamaman, Jul 14, 2011.

  1. yamaman

    yamaman Member

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    he guys, been a while. I've been procrasiniating for years repairing this head gasket leak and then convinced myself it's part of the reason my bike doesn't run absoutely perfect, very close, but not perfect. When I pulled the head I expected to see a pathway where the oil was escaping, but I didn't. Now, learning the prices of these gaskets, I want to do whats best while it's open, cause w/ these prices, I aint going back in! my compression checks are fine so I'm not worried about going deeper than this, besides, the service manual says the motor should be upside down when removing the cyl's, and if the motor is in the bike, then take it out and turn it upside down lol, anyway, I'm not worried about that, my base gasket is fine, and the cylinders are held to the crankcase w/ a stud and bolt.

    The oil leak was coming from cyl #4, which is the far right of the first 4 pics below

    So Please take a look at these pics and fire away your thoughts, Thanks guys.

    and oh, I have the timing chain guide for the forward part, it came out during the removal, any problem getting it back in?
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  2. moellear

    moellear Member

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    i've done it. with all the help from guys on here it was a nice project and learning experience. plus you're this far you may as well replace the gasket properly. also the chain guide should be able to slide right back into position as easy as it did when it came out. I "believe" its nothing more than preventing the chain from rubbing the aluminum motor but thats just my guess.. I'm just a newbie to mechanics in general so I could be wrong big time lol.

    i did it and I suggest you can do the upper engine rebuild as well. a valve job on the stem seals is kinda fun actually
     
  3. cds1984

    cds1984 Well-Known Member

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    I replaced the head gasket on mine twice because of a leak at number 4.

    The first time I did all the right things and a few extra bits and pieces also(valve stems seals, new cam chain) and after riding it for a few months in the dead of summer 38C ish the leak came back so bad I had oil all down the side of the bike, my leg and boots every time I hopped on the freeway!

    Second time around I realised that the 2 studs at number 4(oil channel studs) were both stretched and just soft really. Take a look at these pics.

    Just what happened to me... but it wouldn't hurt to take a few measurement from the top of the stud to the barrel face.
     
  4. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Do a Cleaning and a Valve Job.
    Have the Head "Planed" Flat.

    You can Out-source the Valve Job and Top-end Cleaning to a Machine Shop.
    Or.
    Do it yourself.

    Get a Manual to follow.
    Wire Brush all Carbon off Combustion Chambers, Ports, Valve Stems and Faces.
    Piston Crowns.

    Get a Spring Compressor.
    Remove Shims, Buckets. Clean: Label with Magic Marker.
    I- 1,2,3,4 -- X-1,2,3,4

    Compress Springs, Remove Valve Stem Keepers, Remove Valves, Springs, VALVE STEM OIL SEALS
    Wire Brush Valve Stems, Faces and Bottoms ... Mark Valve Bottoms for I.D.

    FLAT Check: Kiddy-corners. Straight across and width.
    Remove Warp as needed.

    VALVE LAPPING PRIMER / BASICS Videos:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmjOEQkLhsc

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp2lqPJR ... re=related

    Lap Valves, Clean Faces and Seats ... Wipe with Light Oil

    Install NEW Valve Stem Seals
    Re-assemble the Head.
     
  5. yamaman

    yamaman Member

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    Thanks Rick! I watched the video, pretty cool and do-able, as well as the cleaning and such. I have 2 questions about your comments above.

    1 - 'Mark valve bottoms for inner diameter'. you want me to measure what part of the valve and why should I care?

    2 - for the flat check, 'kiddy corners'. Huh? I could tell your referring to the cylinder top or the head bottom, but that's about it. If in fact there is a warped area, how would I make it flat again?
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Take it to a machine shop.
     

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