86 250R head gasket woes

[dcreel]

Finally got a new head gasket on this 250r I got.. torqued in a cris cros to 21 ft lbs. Refilled radiator and went to the gym. Come back from the gym to find rad fluid on the floor of the garage.. Pushing rad fluid past almost the whole head gasket..

SOOO tired of fking with this 250r... Got any ideas before I run it til it blows.. Should have spent the money on another Tecate

[dcreel]

I had hoped that the leaky cylinder head gasket wasn't a symptom of a more serious problem. Apparently it is.. I guess the cylinder head is probably warped.. Yippeee!!!

[acidburn]

if u decide to run it till it blows, try putting red gasket maker on

[leviblue]

what gasket did you use?? i've never had a problem with the metal lined gaskets but the plain janes never work. I'LL send you a head out today if you want it...... you can still send her out this way

[dcreel]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/007-1.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/006.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/005.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/004-1.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/003-3.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/002-2.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/001-2.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/003-2.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/002-1.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/Tecate/001-1.jpg

[Dirtcrasher]

^ Same here. If it got real hot both the cylinder and head may need to resurfaced. Have you've checked for any high spots or burrs?? The studs have to come out if you want to try an oil stone on the mating surfaces.

3 bond/ Yamabond or a thin Honda bond coat may seal it up ( I would not use red silicone myself) if it's off a bit, but normally head gaskets are installed dry.

None of the studs have raised out of the jug or won't torque have they??

3 steps/criscross pattern; You can't do any better than that.

Edit - Can a copper headgasket be used in a LC motor? I never heard much about that.......

[dcreel]

The gasket I used was an oem 86 250r head gasket from service honda. It was 2 pieces of metal with a fiberboard or something center section. I honestly don't know what to do. I'd hate to throw more money at it.. Levi thank you.. I don't know whether it's the head or the cylinder. The cylinder head was torqued before the head stay was installed.

[dcreel]

I torqued it in 4 steps to final lb ft. The gasket surfaces looked great, no dings or burrs. I installed the gasket dry, it seemed more than thick enough to squish. I had thought about copper spray but didn't. The torque seemed equal per stud, no loose studs. Only thing left to do is pull it apart and check the mating surfaces.

[200XMichigan]

I really like the copper spray, and engine builder showed me that stuff. But that thing is really leaking. Its almost has to be warped for it to leak that much with a new OEM gasket. Not that hard to expensive to take out the warpage. But its a drag.

Maybe its just a sign that Kawasaki's are for you, even your Honda bleeds green.

[ceaserthethird]

23 lbs torque for the head nut's, flat surface with 600 grit wet/dry sand paper - use wd-40.

resurface process - it's on the Honda Service Manual.

I have used Threebond and works, just let it cure 24hrs.

[bkm]

Doug like others have said I use the 3-Bond as well on all of my 250r head gaskets. I personally liked the '89 cr250 gasket with a light coat of 3-Bond on both sides. If you don't get a head from Levi, I have a polished '89 head stock chamber you can have. Also did you use the copper washers under the nuts. I have had them leak before without them. The nuts bottom out of the top of the studs and you think your tourqueing the nuts down on the head, but its really just tightening on top of the stud.

[dcreel]

Doug like others have said I use the 3-Bond as well on all of my 250r head gaskets. I personally liked the '89 cr250 gasket with a light coat of 3-Bond on both sides. If you don't get a head from Levi, I have a polished '89 head stock chamber you can have. Also did you use the copper washers under the nuts. I have had them leak before without them. The nuts bottom out of the top of the studs and you think your tourqueing the nuts down on the head, but its really just tightening on top of the stud.

No, I didn't use any washers. There wasn't any there so I didn't know I needed some. Fingers crossed..

[dcreel]

Another question. Do you think the head gasket is bad now? Or can it be reused?

[bkm]

It wasn't ran so I would at least try it with some washers and see if it works. I have reused my CR gasket many times but its just flat steel with no fiber. I have reused headgaskets on a 460 ford that had been torqued but never ran and they held fine.

[bkm]

No, I didn't use any washers. There wasn't any there so I didn't know I needed some. Fingers crossed..

I don't think they used them from the factory but the thinner CR gasket needed them on my cylinder because of the gasket thickness and I had my head cut so it would bottom out. I hope this helps but if its all oem you might have a warped head or cylinder. Was the old gasket leaking also or is this just something the new one is doing?

[dcreel]

Yes, the old gasket was leaking.. I'm going to pull it back apart and check it for level. What do you use to check if the cylinder head is straight and level? I know how it is done, I was just checking what people use?

[fabiodriven]

if u decide to run it till it blows, try putting red gasket maker on

You must be the head-tech somewhere. That's pure genius.

[bkm]

I have always used a piece of flat glass or the top of a trued surface like a table saw or miter saw. Then I lay a piece of sandpaper down and lightly rub the head in a circle motion for just a few rotations. Then check the surface for any high spots. If there are any high spots then I use a lubricant to lap the surface until its flat. You can also spray a little spray paint on the surface kinda like a body man does and see the low and high spots better. I am sure there is a much more precise method of doing this but it has always worked for me.

[Dirtcrasher]

Even glass isn't really flat; but it can work.

I used a piece of machinist granite in the past with WD40 and 600 grit and you could watch the high spots disappear......

[bkm]

Even glass isn't really flat; but it can work.

I used a piece of machinist granite in the past with WD40 and 600 grit and you could watch the high spots disappear......

That would be the proper way to check. My way is more of the Hill-Billy, backyard way of doing it. I like yours much better.

[hang&rattle]

:idea:Here's what happened since everyone has such useless advice. It's time to look at the obvious right under your nose Doug. You put that R in a room with a Tecate and now it's piss!ng it's self, it's not it's fault, happens to any run of the mill Honda when in company of the big dog. Keep Tecate's away from it and it may be o.k..:naughty::twisted::lol:

[3Razors]

Is your torque wrench accurate, make sure its calibrated. If it gets left set on higher torque and put in the tool box for a couple weeks it looses accuracy. Always reset the torque wrench back to zero before putting back on the shelf.

[leviblue]

:idea:Here's what happened since everyone has such useless advice. It's time to look at the obvious right under your nose Doug. You put that R in a room with a Tecate and now it's piss!ng it's self, it's not it's fault, happens to any run of the mill Honda when in company of the big dog. Keep Tecate's away from it and it may be o.k..:naughty::twisted::lol:
you sir are just not that funny..........................................lol
doug let me know if you want that head or grab bkm's, he's closer to ya. either or but their both free

[ironchop]

Is your torque wrench accurate, make sure its calibrated. If it gets left set on higher torque and put in the tool box for a couple weeks it looses accuracy. Always reset the torque wrench back to zero before putting back on the shelf.

wow...there's another thing i did not know. I had to run out to the garage and set them both but the damage is done...3 months in the toolbox...time to get new torkers.

[NINJA]

Don't even bother with that head, Doug. One true one is on it's way.

[ceaserthethird]

Don't add coolant till it cure's 24 hrs.

[dcreel]

Don't add coolant till it cure's 24 hrs.

I had thought about this as well, I followed the manual though. :lol:

[hang&rattle]

you sir are just not that funny..........................................lol
doug let me know if you want that head or grab bkm's, he's closer to ya. either or but their both free
Lol, but I crack myself up, lol. Ahh, I could just as easily ride a 250R as a Tecate. I am impartial to brand. Just that a Tecate(s) found me & I've had good luck with them.....And the fact that I'm cocky and wanted to stir the pot....didn't work, lol. Really don't matter what brand, just so happens Doug's got a problem child and it's a Honda. Know of a guy with a Tri-Z that can't keep it runnin'. And a dude with a Tecate that has a nightmare for a trike, they're all the same.

[dcreel]

While I'm thinking about it I wanted to say Thank You to you guys.. I can't think of a better group of guys to sit around a campfire and bs with.. Trikefest anyone?? :lol:

[hang&rattle]

While I'm thinking about it I wanted to say Thank You to you guys.. I can't think of a better group of guys to sit around a campfire and bs with.. Trikefest anyone?? :lol:
Central Trike-a-Rama maybe....your house? You're nearly smack-dab in the middle of the U.S. Doug (sorta). It can be done close to your location. And people like you (well...sorta). So where's a spot for us to camp with ya? I'm sick of geography keeping me from my buddies. And no Montanan's in my area to ride with. I really want to be around my friends too. Are you gonna take the R? Lol.

[dcreel]

I may just save it and use it to get the campfire going.. :twisted::lol:

[110 atc]

Hey dcreel, did you ever solve your head gasket problem? I just did a top end on my 86 a couple of days ago and filled it with coolant tonight to find it leaking badly like yours. Thanks, Karl

[dcreel]

I just got the cylinder head from Ninja and I used my new oem gasket that I sprayed copper seal on. I also used a little yamabond as well. It's been torqued in 4 steps, and it's going to sit for 24 hours.. The cylinder head has a blue and pink splatter paint job on it. It looks awesome.. I may have to paint the whole motor that way.. Thanks again, Trace..

I'll let you know tomorrow night whether it held or not.. All appendages are crossed as we speak..

[dcreel]

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/056.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/055.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/058.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w182/dcreel/057.jpg

[mohadib]

haha nice. Those foot pegs are gnarly. Nice looking R. Where is the front sprocket guard?!!

[dcreel]

Where is the front sprocket guard?!!

Sitting on the workbench. I haven't decided on whether I will replace it with a chrome one with a brace for the shift shaft. No worries man, I've been around the block a time or two..

[mohadib]

i figured as much ;)

[NINJA]

That cylinder head is the best! You don't need to worry though, that head is perfectly straight. I don't know about Yamabond combined with copper spray though. The copper spray always suffices.

[hang&rattle]

That head is cool, lol, looks like the neon musclecar designs from the 80's. I'm such a throwback lately, everything I see is 80's, even a custom head from NINJA on dcreels R, lol.

[dcreel]

Ninja, I was rolling for 7's.. Momma wants to ride this bad boy.. I may start looking for a cheap motor to send you to paint up.. The splatter paint looks awesome. I love it.. It's fairly inconspicuous until you get up close..

[ceaserthethird]

wow thats a sweet low hour 250R, That paint job is sick !

[NINJA]

I have a mildly ported cylinder that matches that head. The cylinder is going to need a fresh bore and some new studs, but it looks sweet! I didn't do the paint job, the cylinder and head came to me that way.

[dcreel]

Kendra taking her 250R for a ride for the first time.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0yTLU2g1M&feature=share

[bkm]

Sweet!!! How does the Boss like her new ride?

[dcreel]

Sweet!!! How does the Boss like her new ride?

She really likes it.. She had a real nice 200x. But she is a 2 stroke girl, and very happy with her 250r

[bkm]

Very cool. BTW the Tecate hasn't seen you riding the R has it? I can see a jealous lovers triangle in your future.:lol:

[dcreel]

Very cool. BTW the Tecate hasn't seen you riding the R has it? I can see a jealous lovers triangle in your future.:lol:

I work very hard not to bruise any egos around here.. :lol:

[dcreel]

Here is a video of the wife riding her 86 250r. The leak is fixed thanks to Ninja..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv0yTLU2g1M