cylinder head reattached leaks air
04-03-2009, 03:17 PM
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cylinder head reattached leaks air
I cleaned one of my engines and I removed the cylinder head then I put it together however when I spin the prop I can hear air leaking. What do you use guys to seal the cylinder head with the rest of the engine?
thanks for help.
04-03-2009, 03:36 PM
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RE: cylinder head reattached leaks air
First question, did you remove, completely or partially, The sleeve? If so, check to make sure that it is seated correctly back into the crankcase. Then make sure that the head gasket is in place and not bent and that there is nothing in the way of it seating. Finally, when you tighten the head bolts down, don't just go around the circle. Tighten them in a criss-cross pattern and in stages. i.e. First time around-just touching the head, second time-tighten slightly further, etc. it should take about four or five times around. It's VERY important that they are tightened evenly. Too bad nobody makes a little-bitty torque wrench for us.
04-03-2009, 04:32 PM
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RE: cylinder head reattached leaks air
ORIGINAL: dirtybird
High temperature silicon seal works good if you are careful.
High temperature silicon seal works good if you are careful.
When you say careful, what are the details to look for. I already use High temp silicone sealant on everything on my OS engines, but have never used it on the head. Always been afraid to try it.
04-03-2009, 07:31 PM
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RE: cylinder head reattached leaks air
I have found on some engines, that when you are about to tighten the head screws, you have to be careful and place the head in place holding it with a your fingers taking care that it does not move, then screw the bolts down just before they reach the head. Go screwing as crossman described.
It is very usual to have leaks on heads with 4 bolts when they sit only on the center of the cylinder.
There should be a thin metallic gasket, if not, look at the head (inside part) and if there is a flat part that looks like a ring and it sits on the cylinder, then you should get the gasket. (Do not use sealant as Villa said because its residues could cause a failure in your engine).
It is very usual to have leaks on heads with 4 bolts when they sit only on the center of the cylinder.
There should be a thin metallic gasket, if not, look at the head (inside part) and if there is a flat part that looks like a ring and it sits on the cylinder, then you should get the gasket. (Do not use sealant as Villa said because its residues could cause a failure in your engine).
