Best way to get off a gasket?

[inv3ctiv3]

I am replacing the head gasket on my '85 200x since it was starting to leak and I am selling it, don't like selling things that are broken so I figured I would change it out. The old HG is stuck on both sides and is proving to be quite the trailprotrailprotrailprotrailprotrailpro to get off with a scraper. Can I spray something on it that is safe to spray around the piston/valves and will start to dissolve the gasket material?

[code200k]

engine cleaner?? or a rag soaked in gas

[85Tecate]

Get one of those wire wheels for a drill and go to town. Press pretty hard and you should have no problem taking the old off. This is what i always use, but usually i first scrape what i can with a gasket scraper or flat razr blade.

[daniel_250r]

i would let it soak for a couple hours with gas or gasket remover just to soften it and then a credit card and go to town

[inv3ctiv3]

Ok one last question, to do the "water" on the valves test can you use water? I've watched my mechanic do it but forgot to ask what it was....Or should I use gas?

[daniel_250r]

i would def use gas, water will sit in there and cause some rust, i would lap them to be on the safe side

[Yamada]

Did you never heard of Gasket remover by Permatex. It's some nasty stuff. It come in a spray can. Shoot, let the gasket bubble and scrap off. It will also remove the paint on the aluminium and the skin from you body...

[Thorpe]

Buy it a drink, talk dirty to it.... :lol: :lol: Try a heat gun and a scraper... The water trick, you can use water, just blow it off with compressed air when your done and give it a decent spray of wd40....

[RedRider_AK]

Be careful not to damage the flat surfaces, don't use a metal scraper... use a wooden or plastic one, like a stiff spatula or some chit like that.

[rdlsz24]

Permatex gasket remover is the stuff to get. I've used it to take off a Toyota head gasket, trike head gaskets, and the black paint off my 200x forks when I wanted them to be plain metal.

http://www.cbxmanmotorcycles.com/Motorcycle-Accessories/Motorcycle-Lubricants/4MA-Gasket-Remover.jpg

Rob

[Dirtcrasher]

I use a long EXTREMELY sharp gasket chisel, but you have to be very careful about how it's used. Wire wheels and scotch brite pads do remove aluminum so I avoid them.

But, just like this one I have and wood chisels, they are sharpened only on one side for a reason. They truly are meant to be used upside down from what you would think so that they don't bite in. The sharpened side should be against the work surface and the flat side away from it.

That gasket remover works real well on plain gaskets, it eats the glue and like someone said - your fingers, paint and everything else it touches. Some guys say engine cleaner works too.....

[bigred44]

Instead of a wire wheel on a drill i always use a small one on a dremel after i get what i can with a razor blade. This way you can be a lot more careful not to scratch up the aluminum.

[DeePa]

i prefer a dremel cutoff wheel

[pipeline triker]

The Permatex remover works great but becarful, it is as nasty as you can imagine. Brake cleaner works to.

[MonroeMike]

I've used carb cleaner, engine cleaner, starting fluid, gas, pretty much everything volatile, except gasket remover.

[nofear300zx]

they usually use rubbing alchohol instead of water works very well

[atc500x]

I use heat.I have a small electric oven,I use it to install bearing.But to remove gasket it help a lot.Habitually 5 minute in it and the gasket will be very very to remove.

[WIkid500]

Little tip for scraping get your self some plexy glass aka acrylic plastic and sharpen an edge on one side with a file or belt sander. The acrylic will hold a good sharp edge and won't dig into the aluminum like a razor blade or metal scraper will. Oh yeah and gasket remover kicks butt.

[85Tecate]

I've used water to check for leaky valves numerous times. Just make sure you blow it out when youre done. Ive also used wire wheels almost all of my life rebuilding engines from dirtbikes to cars and never had a problem with "taking aluminum off" as someone stated. Its not like you need to sit on the drill while you remove the gasket....Never had a problem at all doing it this way.