I have an Irvine .53 and I think I may have hosed it all up. I was running it and saw fuel foaming up and coming out between the head and the case. Can anybody help? I really love this motor.

Make sure the head is not screwed down unevenly and the screws are tight. Mine doesn't have a head shim/gasket..if yours has one you might make sure it isn't damaged.

I know it's the obvious but have you checked the head screws for tightness? Have you hydro-locked it? Take the head off and look at the shim (gasket). It's all metal (copper?)and may have a bit of metal stuck in it.

I have a .40 and it did the same thing. I took head off, inspected shim, reassembled, tightening alternately, like wheel lug nuts, opposite sides, and it works fine. Checked screws after running and was still tight. You can possibly get more shims where Irvines are sold if yours is damaged.

Anyone else have any ideas?

PT

...and after a break-in run, tighten the head screws down again. Getting them tight with the engine hot will REALLY make it tight when it cools back down...or so I've been told... :spinnyeye

Thanks for the responses, everyone!

PT, what do you mean by hydro-lock?

I will try all you suggestions tonight after work and report back.

-Dave

You can fill the cylinder with fuel if you let it flood when trying to start by improper fuel tank location, a bad glow plug or wrong needle valve setting. If you use a starter whern the cylinder is full the fuel will not compress and needs somewhere to go. This can bend conn rod, break stuff, etc.

Search RCU and you wil find more info.

PT

How easy is this to do. If you think you've flooded an engine how do you first unlock it before using the starter?

Remove the glo-plug and let the pooled up fuel drain out.... The re-insert and go!