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1998 gsxr overhearing

866 views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  Bryzan3 
#1 ·
So I bought this bike a couple of weeks ago and notice it’s was overheating did a compression check one cylinder was low pulled the head and think it’s the head gasket I will try to post some pics and if someone could tell by the condition of the pics I would like some input on if the head gasket was indeed the problem also what else should I be checking or doing why I have the motor out thanks also bike has 12 k miles on it haha
 

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#2 ·
So was cylinder #1 (the far left side opposite the cam chain) the cylinder with the low compression?

That is the only strange looking indication on the gasket. It is hard to tell from a picture.

Was cylinder #1 piston also scrubbed clean compared to the other pistons? That would be an indication of water getting into the cylinder.

Overall, you provide only one symptom, overheating, for which there can be many causes.
 
#3 ·
Far left is the low compression cylinder I will take some pics of all 4 pistons seem the same cylinders seem really good I can still see cross hatching marks not sure if that’s what there called I am pretty sure I was getting exhaust pressure in the radiator compression test on cylinder 1 was low also pressure tested coolant system and that seemed good held pressure also did a leak down test that’s also seemed fine I was thinking it was just a small head gasket leak that built pressure up after riding for a while if I pulled over when it got to around 230 degrees I could undo radiator cap slowly and let pressure out ( I was thinking exhaust pressure out ) it would cool right down I had already tested,cleaned, and bleed coolant hoping it fixed the problem which it did not that’s how I found out it had low compression I should oil seems fine and not eating the coolant maybe just a little low after a bunch of riding and that probably because I use gloves and open radiator slowly to let the pressure out so I can keep riding also when I just took the pics I notice all cylinders have a black soot line around the top of the cylinders in the pic of that cylinder ( # 1 ) it seems the line is missing right where the gasket is a little messed up I am hoping this is the problem
 

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#4 ·
I don't see anything of note.

230 degrees is not abnormal in warm weather and why would you open the radiator cap to let the pressure out? That makes no sense.

It does look like there are some deposits in the cooling system from what I see. A good flush and coolant change should have improved the situation.

Unless there were some other significant symptoms, my guess is that you took the engine apart for on good reason.
 
#5 ·
As saying in the beginning because I ruled out the coolant system I tested cleaned and replaced everything that was not is spec and 1 cylinder was 30 psi less then the other 3 and the pressure because I could continue to ride I did it at 230 because if I didn’t it would continue all the way to 250 and beyond if I allowed it seems as soon as I let the pressure out ( which seemed to smell like exhaust not coolant vapor ) it would drop from 230 to 190 in seconds of allowing the pressure out regardless the drop in psi pressure between cylinders needs to be addressed I am just hoping head gasket fixing my problems
 
#6 ·
It looks to me that that cylinder is burning oil. The other 3 pistons look much cleaner. There are a number of tests you should have done before pulling the engine apart. Now, after you put new rings and gaskets in it, you still don't know if you will be cooling efficiently.

A few things you can do now... Take a hose, and make sure the radiator is flowing well. Test and\or replace your t-stat. Make sure the coolant pump is doing it's job. Just my 2 cents on your situation...
 
#7 ·
Not burning oil and no performance issues all four 4 plugs were perfect color just over heats I ran the engine threw all the flowing test including a clear house only thing I found is 1 cylinder 30 psi low and that the coolant system is being over pressurized
 
#8 ·
Wild guess...John bail me out if I am wrong. If you had coolant entering and burning in the combustion chamber you should see a change in your exhaust gas color, you may also have residue inside the exhaust tip. My only way to explain any of this would be IF this leak is actually raising the pressure in the cooling system above the head pressure of the pump. Releasing the pressure would lower the head pressure and allow it to move coolant again cooling the bike quite quickly once circulation is restored.

My concern is why is your rad cap not releasing this pressure automatically into the reservoir or overflow tube. I would check for a plugged overflow tube.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for all the replies I figured I would post a update in case this happens to anyone else after replacing the head gasket
No more problems So a simple head gasket was the problem I know am worried why it went bad in the 1st place I was thinking maybe the other owners let it overheat a lot not sure what else would cause it to blow cause the head and block had no issues the were flat as the come
 
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