Mayt13
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 12, 2014 12:48 AM
New Guy, Blown Head Gasket (HELP)
Hi guys,
Well I just blew my head gasket and she's blowing smoke like a smoke machine. I had the good sense to shut her off and park her the second I notice it; then subsequently had her towed to my house.
There is about a 90% change I'll be doing this on my own, which isn't the end of the world since I have some pretty substantial mechanical experience. In addition to tons of other jobs, I have in the past installed lifters and a timing chain in my third gen Camaro and also completely disassembled a CM 400 engine (but have not yet got around to reassembling it haha). Because I'm poor as a church mouse due to college and the insurance on this beast, having it done at a shop is likely out of my price range (at least $500).
I have three predominant questions.
1) Should I go with a performance gasket? Since I'm in there and since gaskets are cheap, it seems prudent (although I'm a fervent believer in OEM equipment). If so, which brand. I was considering the Cometic Head Gasket for the Kawasaki ZX14 (06-11). Also, what thickness.
2) Is there anything I should know before I attempt this? I have the shop manual, but its not very explicit in its description and I often find myself scratching my head during unfamiliar projects. Removing the cam seems intimidating to me, as ensuring the correct timing is quintessential. Also I have heard allowing to much slack in the cam chain during this process can cause it to slip off the lower sprocket.
3) Is there anything else I will need besides a head gasket, an exhaust gasket and normal tools? (I have a rear stand)
Keep in mind I ride the hell out of this bike, I get knee down. I treat her like a supersport on almost every ride. I was shocked that I managed to blow her up, consider displacement usually guards against failures under extreme mechanical strain.
Thanks for the help guys!
  
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted June 12, 2014 03:34 AM
quote:
Well I just blew my head gasket and she's blowing smoke like a smoke machine.
What makes you think its a head gasket. "I'VE" never seen a blown head gasket smoke and I've blown a few head gaskets. One so bad that as soon as I went into boost it displaced all my water in a few seconds
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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Mayt13
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 14, 2014 04:29 PM
 Edited By: Mayt13 on 15 Jun 2014 00:31
Well, I assumed it was a blown head gasket because the smoke coming out of the exhaust pipes is more like steam them smoke large billowy and not acrid and oily like smoke from oil. Also, I have heard of cars having this issue, where a blown head gasket allows the coolant to leak from the blocks journals down into the cylinders and is subsequently burned off creating the smoke.
Actually my first thought was that I blew it up, meaning that I managed to somehow drop/bend a valve. But it ran smooth, without pinging, popping or grinding. I have also checked on other forums and this seems a likely culprit.
Regardless, I must do this job simply to diagnose the issue. As I must remove the head to examine/repair the vales and check the cylinder walls.
Thank your for the response! Any help is appreciated 
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted June 14, 2014 04:35 PM
quote:
Regardless, I must do this job simply to diagnose the issue. As I must remove the head to examine/repair the vales and check the cylinder walls.
we call it a post mortem
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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Mayt13
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 14, 2014 04:49 PM
Edited By: Mayt13 on 15 Jun 2014 00:59
It looks almost exactly like this (Youtube link). The car pictured had a blown head gasket, which makes me think that may be all that is wrong with my bike. Skip to about 4:20 in the video.
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted June 14, 2014 05:31 PM
Edited By: 1badzx12r on 15 Jun 2014 01:32
well we shall see when you get it apart . but if it smoke like that and you couldn't smell anti freeze or coolant .then I say rings ..cause I've had oil rings leak and do clouds like that . I hope that's all it is a gasket and a resurface .
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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Mayt13
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 14, 2014 07:16 PM
How do I know if Its the oil rings? It definitely had a smell I didn't recognize.
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1badzx12r
Needs a life
Posts: 8321
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posted June 15, 2014 04:26 AM
quote:
How do I know if Its the oil rings? It definitely had a smell I didn't recognize.
there be oil in the exhaust system sometime dripping out overnight on the floor .the plugs will be soaked .a huge cloud of smoke right off start up . a leak down test will blow into crank case. when you take the head off the piston tops will be soaked in oil.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S06nIz4scvI
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Meangreen14
Expert Class
Posts: 343
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posted June 15, 2014 05:05 PM
Rings, or hope it's not Damaged piston(s), is bike all stock "motor" no spray or boost?
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PCV, quick shifter, stock gearing,
fly's out, custom garrett gt28 stage1 turbo, JE pistons, 625cc inj, MTC lock up clutch,1:1 fuel pressure regulator...
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Oz Booster
Expert Class
Posts: 230
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posted June 18, 2014 02:23 PM
headgasket will pump the radiator with cyl pressure way before water goes into the cyl
lots of water out the overflow and overheating would be your main symptoms
start with leakdown or compression test
check your plugs for oil
replace your fuel ??
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Mayt13
Parking Attendant
Posts: 11
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posted June 18, 2014 05:38 PM
All stock bike, and I will check for all of the above.
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KZScott
Needs a life
high on speed
Posts: 7235
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posted June 23, 2014 03:38 AM
quote:
start with leakdown or compression test
check your plugs for oil
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01 ZX-12R 8.84 @ 156.3 no bars, DOT tires. Pump Gas, NA.... turbo 8.47 @ 164.
00 ZX-12R 8.62 @ 165.2 no bars, slicks, Pump Gas, 55 shot.... turbo 8.32 @173
00 ZX-12R Fastest NA Kawasaki in the world 1: 222.046 1.5: 226.390 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R street turbo 1: 227.9 1.5: 234.1 Loring AFB
00 ZX-12R LSR turbo 1: 263.1 1.5: 266.5 Loring AFB Worlds fastest ZX-12R
CMG Racing RCC Turbos
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted June 24, 2014 08:52 PM
Hmm just considering all possible causes but is the oil level correct?
Lately i've been draining overfilled crankcases at my shop cause clients manage to overfill their bikes.
Also is the air box interior clean and dry of oil?
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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