Author Topic: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**  (Read 29194 times)

Offline jonathan

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #40 on: February 11, 2013, 08:09:01 AM »
This is the exact same head cover gasket crap over and over that compelled me to dump my ZX14

Was your head warped?

Offline ZG

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #41 on: February 11, 2013, 09:49:27 AM »
Was your head warped?

We've always known that about Steve...  ;D

Offline rush2112

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #42 on: February 11, 2013, 11:30:53 AM »
Sounding like a possible known issue! If anyone else here has had the similar problem or know/heard of this issue elsewhere please let me know. I'd like to have examples/numbers/solutions that I can take in when talking with Kawasaki.
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Offline Rhino

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #43 on: February 11, 2013, 11:39:20 AM »
Man this bites! How many miles on the bike before it started showing symptoms? Sure looks like a manufacturing defect. Kawi ought to do the right thing and replace the engine or the entire bike.

Offline russell420

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #44 on: February 11, 2013, 11:47:50 AM »
How long did it take to get your ride back?

IIRC, it was over a month, probably closer to two before it was done.  Never had a problem with it afterward.  At the time, I remember others having similar problems.

Russell420

Offline dolomoto

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Re: **UPDATE** Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009)
« Reply #45 on: February 11, 2013, 04:10:29 PM »
....snipped...and you might see some photos of what the bike looks without all the dressing.

Glad it came out okay.

For reference, here's what comes off to do a valve inspection. The tank would probably come off for head work:





Offline Shoe

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #46 on: February 11, 2013, 04:24:32 PM »
I remember the old C10's had problems with cam pitting. Some riders ignored it and rode on for many miles, while some complained and had it fixed and others sold their bikes. Of course it was not something that was as visible as a leak. It was a known issue. Mine had pitted cams.

The ZZR 1200 had the same problems with cam pitting. And some owners had an issue with porous heads. Mine had pitted cams and one of my valve cover sparkplug hole gaskets was misaligned from the factory which resulted in a lot of oil leaking into the air box.

My C14 developed a leaky valve cover gasket at around 11k. I am keeping my fingers crossed on that issue.
Eat corn. Drill for oil.

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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #47 on: February 11, 2013, 04:48:51 PM »
$548 to replace a head gasket?  That seems awful low for the amount of labor involved in pulling the head. 
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #48 on: February 11, 2013, 04:57:56 PM »
I remember the old C10's had problems with cam pitting. Some riders ignored it and rode on for many miles, while some complained and had it fixed and others sold their bikes. Of course it was not something that was as visible as a leak. It was a known issue. Mine had pitted cams.


So did mine.  It didn't affect it that I could tell.  It was just disappointing to look at every 6k miles... :-[
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #49 on: February 11, 2013, 04:58:43 PM »
$548 to replace a head gasket?  That seems awful low for the amount of labor involved in pulling the head.

Slumming? ;)    Glad to see you back!
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Offline Jeremy Mitchell

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #50 on: February 11, 2013, 05:13:38 PM »
Slumming? ;)    Glad to see you back!

Been busy looking for a job.  I am officially unemployed at midnight tonight after 13 years in the Army.
I have several strong possibilities but nothing definite yet.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.   ;)
Keeping the economy going, one tank of fuel and two tires at a time.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #51 on: February 11, 2013, 05:24:48 PM »
Thanks for the update!  Nothing but the best in your job searching and to your service!  :thumbs:    And stop by a bit more, we miss you.
"LOCTITE®"  The original thread locker...  #11  2020 Indian Roadmaster, ABS, Cruise control, heated grips and seats/w/AC 46 Monitoring with cutting edge technology U.N.I.T is Back! Member in good standing with the Knights of MEH.

Offline ZG

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #52 on: February 11, 2013, 07:15:20 PM »
Thanks for the update!  Nothing but the best in your job searching and to your service!  :thumbs:    And stop by a bit more, we miss you.

+1
 
I too miss seeing ya around lately JM!  :chugbeer:

Offline MGvaleri

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #53 on: February 12, 2013, 02:49:16 AM »
Inspected by low oil leak from the head gasket or rocker, or bulb, do not presume any excessive loss from these departments, although after 4/5 days of downtime motion to turn it on I smell of burnt oil



You are the most beautiful in the "WORLD" other than dried figs!


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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #54 on: February 12, 2013, 03:01:12 AM »
I smell 'burnt' leaves at times but not enough to be concerned about it.  I'm assuming that smell might be a trace of oil hitting something hot.  It doesn't happen all the time, though.  And the oil level doesn't change.
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Offline gPink

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #55 on: February 12, 2013, 03:53:04 AM »
dried figs ?

Offline Rhino

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #56 on: February 12, 2013, 09:26:03 AM »
dried figs ?

wondering the same thing

Offline rush2112

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #57 on: February 12, 2013, 07:35:05 PM »
DRIED FIGS RULE!!!!   8)

 :o :o :o
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Offline ZG

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #58 on: February 12, 2013, 07:58:54 PM »
 :o
 
Hmmmm.... Well I did a search for "good fig pics" and came up empty, but I did come across this bacon pic?  :-\ :feedback:
 

 

Offline redzgrider

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Re: Head Gasket Leaking! (2009) **UPDATE AGAIN 1/9**
« Reply #59 on: February 12, 2013, 08:29:36 PM »
"I am officially unemployed at midnight tonight after 13 years in the Army."
Another Jack Reacher in the making...