POP goes the gasket?

[Tabasco Powered]

About 3 months ago, I'm driving in 1st gear on my '09 C14 (and because I follow all you guys, I added a juice box, K&N air filter and Two Bros Racing exhaust). I wind the bike into the high RPMs and just before shifting to 2nd gear, the bike lurches, a hear a "POP" and then about two weeks later, I start seeing and smelling oil burning (least, that's what I thought). 

Two trips to the dealer found nothing but I continued smelling and seeing smoke on start-up and at idle.  About a week later, a gasket (sorry don't know which one exactly) blows on the freeway and I'm driving on one less cylnder. The dealer repaces the gasket under warranty and life goes on.   

Last night, same thing: high revs in first, then a lurch and pop. I'm planning a 1,200 mile ride through Ave. of The Giants soon and don't want to take any risks.

Does the C14 have some sort of protection mechanism if you rev too high?

Are there known issues with gaskets blowing?

I diconnected the juice box due to mileage and dealer concerns over warranty repairs the first time.  Any ideas would be helpful.  Thanks.

[gPink]

Not enough info.

[VirginiaJim]

To compute.  We need to know which gasket went.  I would think you would have some sort of paperwork on what gasket they replaced such as a part number. 

Your issue is totally uncommon with us.  Sorry.

[Tabasco Powered]

To compute.  We need to know which gasket went.  I would think you would have some sort of paperwork on what gasket they replaced such as a part number. 

Your issue is totally uncommon with us.  Sorry.

Fair enough. I'll dig up the repair order to flesh out the details, but it's reassuring to know this isn't commonplace.

[Breaker19]

Does the C14 have some sort of protection mechanism if you rev too high?

Yea, you'll know it activated when a rod comes through the block... 

On a serious note, like the others said, we have no clue without knowing which gasket was replaced. Too many variables otherwise.

[maxtog]

Fair enough. I'll dig up the repair order to flesh out the details, but it's reassuring to know this isn't commonplace.

Oh, it is definitely not common.  Yours is the first post I have ever seen about blowing a gasket.

[gonzosc1]

I would think that any oil related gasket blowing out problem would be something big. 
how is it building that much pressure in the oil system to blow a gasket out?

[C1xRider]

I would think the only gasket you could blow that would cause a cylinder to go away would be the head gasket.  There are oil passages that run through that gasket, which would also explain the oil leaking.

As for the protection from over revving, the rev limiter does that.  However, I test mine almost every time I ride, and after 24K miles, it still works great.   

[gonzosc1]

I would think the only gasket you could blow that would cause a cylinder to go away would be the head gasket.  There are oil passages that run through that gasket, which would also explain the oil leaking.

As for the protection from over revving, the rev limiter does that.  However, I test mine almost every time I ride, and after 24K miles, it still works great.   

thats what i'm thinking, head gasket!  maybe a clogged oil passage???

[Tabasco Powered]

To compute.  We need to know which gasket went.  I would think you would have some sort of paperwork on what gasket they replaced such as a part number. 

Your issue is totally uncommon with us.  Sorry.

Ok, I just spoke with the mechanic. They had to replace two gaskets: the "head cover gasket" and the "valve cover gasket." I don't have the part numbers because they have different staff on the weekends then they do during the weekdays. Does that help? Either way, I guess I'll know if the problem occurs again if I start smelling burning oil. And I just finished a farkle-fest (Corbin seat, HeliBars, Clearwater Lights, Givi LEDs, etc...)

[gPink]

Damn, lot of high end farkles just to have the engine go south.

[VirginiaJim]

Hi revs pop the valve cover gasket?  Something else is wrong with that engine.  That ain't normal.  What kind of pressure would blow a valve cover gasket me wonders?  And a head gasket as well?  Maybe they just replaced the valve cover gasket cause they had to take it off to get to the other one?

[McJunkie]

That's what I'm thinking. They replaced the valve cover gasket since they had to take it off to get to the head. Definitely not common. Since it happened twice, I would think that you have a bad head or worse, the mating surface on the engine itself. I would think that the warranty would call for an engine replacement if it happens again. 

[jjsC6]

BTW, I've never heard of a head gasket referred to as a head cover gasket.  Is that what they told you, or are you just paraphrasing what they said?

BTW, replacing a head gasket is not a simple task on these bikes.  I'd be curious as to how many hours of labor they charged to the warranty.  You should have a receipt that details everything they did, including labor.

[stevewfl]

Also, perhaps check the battery in your KiPass

[Breaker19]

Absolutely. I just looked at the parts fiche. That's a head gasket blowout. WTF! There's usually one reason for a BHG (blown head gasket) and that's overheating. I bet that motor is toast. Sorry to say.

[basmntdweller]

Sorry for what sounds like possible bad news on your engine but what's a juice box?

Matt

[rtarp1]

yes i hit my rev limiter the other day racing some kids on their 750 gsxr's .  I bet they were wondering what bike with bags just toasted them.   

[McJunkie]

I've bounced mine off the limiter several times. That's what it's there for. To protect the engine.

[Awaz]

I wonder what this 'juice box' is. I wonder if it is a PC5 or something of that sort that lets you defeat the rev limiter, which ultimately killed the engine.