new head gasket = HAVE TO change out piston rings?

[1992GSX750FMAINE]

So i have a leaky engine, needs new gaskets. 1992 gsx750f, 22k miles. otherwise runs awesome. leak is big enough that I've got to do SOMEthing...it's not just weeping oil that i can wipe off with a rag.

shop told me that on a gasket job like that on an oil-only cooled engine you *HAVE TO* then change out the piston rings and hone the cylinders. no way around it. total cost about $2500.

is that true?---you can't just put in new gaskets and be done with it?? why would someone think that?

Any info you have on this is much appreciated, my knowledge level is pretty low, and thanks very much for your time.

--joe

[ZookRick]

Did you figure out where it is leaking from?
If a compression check shows the rings are sealing then I wouldnt even bother taking the jugs off unless its leaking from the base gasket. If you have to pull the jugs, then I would lightly hone it and reuse the rings if they are within spec and compression is good.

[steves]

The bike isn't worth $2500. Sounds like they didn't want to have anything to do with trying to fix it.

Where exactly does it leak from, and how much volume are we talking here?

You might just be able to re-torque everything.

[Kreylyn]

Pics where it's leaking.

Shop maybe trying to pull a fast one over, cause there is no reason to replace rings due to an external oil leak.

Krey

[92xjunker]

Haha, may just be the valve cover leaking. If it is the head gasket, retorque the head bolts.....if that doesn't fix it, just replace the gasket.

[1992GSX750FMAINE]

awesome thanks everyone. will get pics.

i'll tell you, when i take it on the highway, oil gets on the back of my front fender... if i just let it idle and rev it, it is hard to get the oil leak though.

the oil mainly comes from the top very center of the engine block.

using this diagram:

http://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40af5f8700230d8b4ffa1/cylinder-head-cover

oil comes from the area of the head gasket just under #6/pn 09106-07010.

i will try to tighten everything up also.


thanks for your time!
--joe

[ZookRick]

Thats not the head gasket, its the valve cover gasket. They have a bad habit of popping out of the groove in the back when you go to put it back on. One thing I do and I think the manual says so too is to put some threebond or gasket maker in the groove so that it sticks in place when you put it on. Just make sure to clean any oil off the rubber gasket and off the cover first.

[Seft]

Thats not the head gasket, its the valve cover gasket. They have a bad habit of popping out of the groove in the back when you go to put it back on. One thing I do and I think the manual says so too is to put some threebond or gasket maker in the groove so that it sticks in place when you put it on. Just make sure to clean any oil off the rubber gasket and off the cover first.

+1
Need to put the bond round the 4 semi circle bits of the gasket too, should replace the gasket washers round the banjo bolts as well. Keep an eye on the 2 little pins, part 12 on your diagram as they can pull out and fall into the engine if they lift out with the valve cover. While you have the cover off good idea to check the valve clearances and also the 4 other rubber gaskets there.

[1992GSX750FMAINE]

wow really? i've never been so happy to have no idea what i'm talking about. if it's only the valve cover gasket then that's not so bad.

do you have to pull the engine to work on the valve cover, or can i work on it as-is? (i have a manual too, sorry if that's a lazy question).

thanks again y'all.
--joe

[92xjunker]

Nope, just wiggle it out the top. Watch the bolt below and slightly behind of the oil cooler, often missed as it is hard to see it.

[Seft]

wow really? i've never been so happy to have no idea what i'm talking about. if it's only the valve cover gasket then that's not so bad.

do you have to pull the engine to work on the valve cover, or can i work on it as-is? (i have a manual too, sorry if that's a lazy question).

thanks again y'all.
--joe

I found the cover a pain to get out with the throttle and choke cables still attached. To get it past the frame once it was just higher than the two locating pins just keep it flat and move towards the back of the bike and it shouldn't catch on anything. Stuff I used to fix the gasket after cleaning it up was "THREE BOND SCHWARZ 1207B"

[maniac1886]

Tell that mechanic that $2500 better at least come with a case of beer, a steak dinner, and a reach around.


Thats a $60ish gasket and a couple hours of work.

[1992GSX750FMAINE]

took it to another shop, went well. turns out that it was just the valve cover gasket like you all said! should be back on the bike this week : )

i don't know how the heck people can do the valve cover gasket, work on valves, etc, on these 4cyl katana engines without pulling the whole darn engine, but OK.

thanks again for the info everyone!

--joe

[maniac1886]

Lol you should see the available working space for the top end of my gsxr.


Or lack there of.

You just gotta think "small hands, small hands, small hands"