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Author Topic: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**  (Read 29151 times)

Offline rush2112

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Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« on: December 15, 2012, 12:31:24 PM »
Took her in today because recently upon start-up it's been burning something off the headers if it sat for a couple days. Smelled somewhat like antifreeze but slightly different. No real change in fluid levels though. Finally saw a couple drops of antifreeze under it the other day.

Didn't see any sign of moisture/cloudiness in the oil. Dealer took the plastics off and found that it was leaking both antifreeze and oil onto the headers (hence the strange smell, oil and antifreeze). They've put in for the warranty work but can't get to it until after the first of the year.  :( Said they would need to take down the entire top-end to determine why it's happening.

Only has 7400 miles. Searched the site for similar problems and strangely, the two that I found similar to my problem were both 2009's. Issue here????

Figures, I'm off until the 8th, East Texas temps in the 70's, and no bike to ride!  :banghead:
« Last Edit: February 09, 2013, 11:40:53 AM by rush2112 »
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Offline vortex2

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2012, 02:30:27 PM »
I don't know about the oil leak, but my 09 had a problem with the radiator hose leaking, needed to replace some clamps and it was ok. I believe others had the same problem.
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Offline Tabarswaacky

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2012, 03:08:49 PM »

I was talking to the mechanic at our local dealership. He rides an 09 . He has the same problem.
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Offline lather

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2012, 04:24:45 PM »
It is probably NOT the head gasket leaking, more likely the valve cover gasket.
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Quote from: Conrad on December 11, 2012, 04:56:00 AM
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Offline feelergaugephil

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2012, 05:51:44 PM »
Quote from: lather on December 15, 2012, 04:24:45 PM
It is probably NOT the head gasket leaking, more likely the valve cover gasket.
Ill put money on it too, Ive done several zx14/conny motors all had valve cover issues.
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Offline Daytona_Mike

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2012, 05:54:51 PM »
Quote from: feelergaugephil on December 15, 2012, 05:51:44 PM
Ill put money on it too, Ive done several zx14/conny motors all had valve cover issues.

How much??  I will cover that bet.
 It most likely is the head gasket.
 You cannot leak coolant from a leaky valve cover gasket and he said coolant is leaking as well as oil.
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Offline lather

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2012, 07:28:11 PM »
If its a blown head gasket its the 1st I've read about here and I've been  since 2007. Lots of head gasket leaks posted.
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Quote from: Conrad on December 11, 2012, 04:56:00 AM
Nothing worse than having your balls go missing.

Offline Freddy

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #7 on: December 16, 2012, 05:42:21 AM »
Quote from: lather on December 15, 2012, 04:24:45 PM
It is probably NOT the head gasket leaking, more likely the valve cover gasket.

It may not be that either but the O ring on the exh cam sensor - drips right onto the cross pipe between cyls 2 & 3..  It's a whole lot easier to get to as a start.
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2012, 06:29:30 AM »
Quote from: lather on December 15, 2012, 07:28:11 PM
If its a blown head gasket its the 1st I've read about here and I've been  since 2007. Lots of head gasket leaks posted.

You mean valve cover leaks?
I thought so. ;)
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Offline tjpgi

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2012, 08:15:16 AM »
Quote from: Daytona_Mike on December 15, 2012, 05:54:51 PM
How much??  I will cover that bet.
 It most likely is the head gasket.
 You cannot leak coolant from a leaky valve cover gasket and he said coolant is leaking as well as oil.

 :thumbs:
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Offline PH14

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #10 on: December 16, 2012, 08:54:04 AM »
Quote from: Daytona_Mike on December 15, 2012, 05:54:51 PM
How much??  I will cover that bet.
 It most likely is the head gasket.
 You cannot leak coolant from a leaky valve cover gasket and he said coolant is leaking as well as oil.

If you will look at the original post, you will see that it is leaking antifreeze "onto the headers," that is most likely caused by a leaky hose and not a head gasket. Mine did that when I got it too. I sincerely doubt the head gasket is leaking. The oil leak is most likely the valve cover gasket which has also been fairly common. Anything is possible, but there are things that are more likely.
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Offline lather

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #11 on: December 16, 2012, 10:32:36 AM »
Quote from: jimmymac on December 16, 2012, 06:29:30 AM
You mean valve cover leaks?
I thought so. ;)
I'm a dumbass sometimes! :-[ Lot's of Valve cover leaks!
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Quote from: Conrad on December 11, 2012, 04:56:00 AM
Nothing worse than having your balls go missing.

Offline Pokey

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #12 on: December 16, 2012, 12:40:27 PM »
2 things going on IMHO, both should be easy fixes.
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Offline MGvaleri

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2012, 01:39:46 PM »
Quote from: Freddy on December 16, 2012, 05:42:21 AM
It may not be that either but the O ring on the exh cam sensor - drips right onto the cross pipe between cyls 2 & 3..  It's a whole lot easier to get to as a start.

Usual lost its oil from the sensor, but still insignificant and this happens more than 3 anni.Il my C14 MY 2007.

MGvalerio 8)
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Offline Daytona_Mike

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #14 on: December 16, 2012, 08:22:33 PM »
I sure hope  the dealer does not tear down the top end for a leaky coolant hose and an oil leak from a cam sensor seal, but then again they maybe looking for a little bail out money from mama Kaw.
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Offline Shoe

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #15 on: December 16, 2012, 09:14:50 PM »
Quote from: rush2112 on December 15, 2012, 12:31:24 PM
.................... Said they would need to take down the entire top-end to determine why it's happening.
........................

A number us on the forum have had similar issues. Its probably the valve cover gasket. What happens is a small amount of oil will leak onto the header when the bike is parked. When the bike is started smoke can be seen and smelled as the bike warms. After it burns off you don't see anymore until you park it for a couple of days. It could be the sensor seal.

The best time to have this issue corrected is when the valves are adjusted.

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Offline Glennn

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #16 on: December 27, 2012, 12:36:21 AM »
Fear I may have a similar issue on my almost year old 2012.  Had the fairing off for a new exhaust install and was greeted by this (lower fairing, left hand side).

Will be talking to the shop once Christmas break is over.
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Offline rush2112

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #17 on: December 27, 2012, 08:13:36 PM »
Read today in the latest Motorcyclist magazine, that Fred Harmon (technical editor of the Concours Owners Group) refers to this being one of the red flags when buying a used Connie:

"...some are prone to oil leaks from the valve cover gasket on the left front side...take special note with used C14's that might have oil dripping onto the exhaust system".
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #18 on: December 28, 2012, 03:28:29 PM »
A leaking valve cover gasket wouldn't scare me off. Just replace it and enjoy the savings after pointing it out to the seller.
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Offline Irish-14

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #19 on: December 28, 2012, 05:43:05 PM »
Have an '11 with 10,000 miles on it, just had my head gasket fail. Covered by warranty, I had them adjust the valves while they were in there for $250. Tech said that the gasket was faulty from the factory, "had a crease in it." Go Irish!
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