Base gasket leak

mgentz · October 4th, 2016, 07:09 PM

I think my base gasket may be leaking as I can smell some oil burning when the engine gets hot and there is only one dirty spot on the engine, on the front side nearest the chain bump out in the cylinder.

If this turns out to be the case, what do you guys recommend for sealing it back up without removing the cylinder? I was thinking I could spray in some copper gasket maker.....

I'm a little shocked that it is leaking considering the ability to reuse these base gaskets.....but unless I see signs of oil on the plugs, this is my only lead.

Triple Jim · October 4th, 2016, 09:32 PM

If it's really leaking, I'd make sure the bolts are torqued to spec before doing anything else. A leaking gasket like that can't be sealed from the outside.

cuong-nutz · October 4th, 2016, 10:00 PM

What he said. If you're not anal, lol, prep and job weld.

mgentz · October 5th, 2016, 04:04 AM

Yea...that's my plan right now when I check the valve clearances again. I will Crack loose the head bolts and retourque them. If that doesn't work, I was going to lift the cylinder and spray copper gasket sealant on both sides.

Not sure how this happened considering how anal I was in cleaning everything and in using new gaskets.

Triple Jim · October 5th, 2016, 07:27 AM

I don't know about this engine and its gaskets in particular yet, but most require one or more re-torqueings after the initial assembly.

mgentz · October 5th, 2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

What he said. If you're not anal, lol, prep and job weld.

that was my initial thought, but then my anal retentive side took over....

mgentz · October 5th, 2016, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

I don't know about this engine and its gaskets in particular yet, but most require one or more re-torqueings after the initial assembly.

I will have to check the manual again, but I didn't think this was needed.

bruce71198 · October 5th, 2016, 10:55 AM

Isn't there a 6mm bolt that you get at from the bottom right there? With all the assembly and disassembly I have done most of mine are stripped out and I don't even put a bolt back in. How many miles on it now?

mgentz · October 5th, 2016, 11:16 AM

There is a bolt that size but that is for the head to cylinder. My base gasket is leaking so the problem would be due to the 7 larger bolts or debris or blowout.

She has 1500 or so miles on her now.

bruce71198 · October 6th, 2016, 03:08 PM

I don't think it "blew out". There just isn't that much pressure in the crank case. I could see the cylinder block shifting around if the dowels were absent. How much oil is coming out. Picture?

mgentz · October 6th, 2016, 03:17 PM

Seems like a slow weep. About .2 to .3 liters in 1000 miles. I will be investigating it more the next time I ride it as I have thoroughly cleaned everything so that I could see a leak easier.

mgentz · October 18th, 2016, 07:36 PM

After much searching, I believe I found the real cause. The spark plug hole/valve cover gaskets had teeny weeNY leaks. I found this during a clearance check by plugging and filling the holes with brake cleaner. Once full, I noticed bubbles and traced those to the gaskets.

Odd though, considering everything was new just a few months ago...oh well a little rtv and we are good for now.

October 4th, 2016, 07:09 PM	#1
mgentz Board Member Name: ... Location: WI Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250R (street), 250R (dirt) Posts: A lot.	Base gasket leak I think my base gasket may be leaking as I can smell some oil burning when the engine gets hot and there is only one dirty spot on the engine, on the front side nearest the chain bump out in the cylinder. If this turns out to be the case, what do you guys recommend for sealing it back up without removing the cylinder? I was thinking I could spray in some copper gasket maker..... I'm a little shocked that it is leaking considering the ability to reuse these base gaskets.....but unless I see signs of oil on the plugs, this is my only lead.

October 4th, 2016, 10:00 PM	#3
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	What he said. If you're not anal, lol, prep and job weld. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days

October 18th, 2016, 07:36 PM	#12
mgentz Board Member Name: ... Location: WI Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250R (street), 250R (dirt) Posts: A lot.	After much searching, I believe I found the real cause. The spark plug hole/valve cover gaskets had teeny weeNY leaks. I found this during a clearance check by plugging and filling the holes with brake cleaner. Once full, I noticed bubbles and traced those to the gaskets. Odd though, considering everything was new just a few months ago...oh well a little rtv and we are good for now.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

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October 4th, 2016, 09:32 PM	#2
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	If it's really leaking, I'd make sure the bolts are torqued to spec before doing anything else. A leaking gasket like that can't be sealed from the outside.

October 5th, 2016, 04:04 AM	#4
mgentz Board Member Name: ... Location: WI Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250R (street), 250R (dirt) Posts: A lot.	Yea...that's my plan right now when I check the valve clearances again. I will Crack loose the head bolts and retourque them. If that doesn't work, I was going to lift the cylinder and spray copper gasket sealant on both sides. Not sure how this happened considering how anal I was in cleaning everything and in using new gaskets.

October 5th, 2016, 07:27 AM	#5
Triple Jim Guy Who Enjoys Riding Name: Jim Location: North Carolina Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16	I don't know about this engine and its gaskets in particular yet, but most require one or more re-torqueings after the initial assembly.

October 5th, 2016, 10:55 AM	#8
bruce71198 ninjette.org sage Name: bruce Location: northern illinois Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999	Isn't there a 6mm bolt that you get at from the bottom right there? With all the assembly and disassembly I have done most of mine are stripped out and I don't even put a bolt back in. How many miles on it now?

October 5th, 2016, 11:16 AM	#9
mgentz Board Member Name: ... Location: WI Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250R (street), 250R (dirt) Posts: A lot.	There is a bolt that size but that is for the head to cylinder. My base gasket is leaking so the problem would be due to the 7 larger bolts or debris or blowout. She has 1500 or so miles on her now.

October 6th, 2016, 03:08 PM	#10
bruce71198 ninjette.org sage Name: bruce Location: northern illinois Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Race bikes:08 Ninja 250,11 R6,16 ZX6,SV650.3 HD-1947,2-2003,2010. 1946 Indian and a lot of dirt bikes.2 Posts: 999	I don't think it "blew out". There just isn't that much pressure in the crank case. I could see the cylinder block shifting around if the dowels were absent. How much oil is coming out. Picture?

October 6th, 2016, 03:17 PM	#11
mgentz Board Member Name: ... Location: WI Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250R (street), 250R (dirt) Posts: A lot.	Seems like a slow weep. About .2 to .3 liters in 1000 miles. I will be investigating it more the next time I ride it as I have thoroughly cleaned everything so that I could see a leak easier.