Coolant leak

Aloha808 · October 21, 2023, 06:08:06 PM

Well, I filled the bike with coolant. Had two leaks. I fixed one by tightening the a hose clamp. You can see where the other leak is coming from.

Could you veterans give me any advice on how to fix the leak? I hoping I don't have to pull the head since I just put it on.

This is a o-ringed head and I used permatex Motoseal gasket maker-grey.

I hope the pic works

Thanks

m in sc · October 21, 2023, 07:31:15 PM

is that coming from the plug hole?

Aloha808 · October 21, 2023, 08:30:02 PM

Yep. Well, sort of.

To me, it looked like it is coming from the area where the machined piece is inserted into the head. Not where the spark plug screws into the machined piece. I hope that make sense.

I attached a picture of the head and how it looked before the install.

Thanks

m in sc · October 21, 2023, 09:08:20 PM

ah. that explains it.

I've heard lots of stories of this type of setup leaking over the years though. If it were ME, id take the head off and seal the boss the plug threads into on the outside with motoseal, then insert it into the head and reassemble and let sit overnight.

Aloha808 · October 22, 2023, 02:09:40 PM

Thanks Mark.

I think the hardest part is going to be getting the boss out of the head. The picture above is when I received it. It had somehow popped out in transit. I was unable to get it back in and had to send it back to the guy who worked on the motor. He put it back in. I am assuming he did not use any sealant. I will find out.

Anyway, thank you again.

rodneya · October 22, 2023, 03:08:10 PM

If that's machined like a coolhead or the heads Wicked makes it should have an oring to seal the boss area.
Pity he could not machine a groove for an oring around the outside as well. That would make removing and reinstalling the head soo much faster.

Aloha808 · October 22, 2023, 04:27:54 PM

Actually, these had an o-ring. If you look closely you can see a groove around the perimeter of the machined insert. This was first time doing this,so I may of messed something up.

rodneya · October 22, 2023, 07:14:58 PM

Quote from: Aloha808 on October 22, 2023, 04:27:54 PMActually, these had an o-ring. If you look closely you can see a groove around the perimeter of the machined insert. This was first time doing this,so I may of messed something up.

Coolheads use min 6 orings That oring around the dome insert only stops coolant getting into the combustion chamber. The second one would need go around the water passages in the head. The stock head does not look like there is enough material at the front bolt area.

85RZwade · October 25, 2023, 10:08:25 AM

Well, this is a new one for me; I haven't seen an OEM head modified for a removable dome before. I thought, from your first picture, that your head must be cracked! I think Mark's idea is on the money.
Who did the head mod?

Aloha808 · October 25, 2023, 10:58:39 PM

Quote from: 85RZwade on October 25, 2023, 10:08:25 AMWell, this is a new one for me; I haven't seen an OEM head modified for a removable dome before. I thought, from your first picture, that your head must be cracked! I think Mark's idea is on the money.
Who did the head mod?

I have never seen that either. To be honest I was surprised to see that mod when I got the motor back. I had no knowledge that was going to happen. (another story)

I agree. I plan to use Mark's idea to fix the leak.

Garrett did the work.

rodneya · October 25, 2023, 11:56:04 PM

That mod started on banshee heads so that guys could run different cc domes and 4 mil cranks and still keep the motor looking completely stock. Now stealth coolheads that look just like stockers are available that have orings to seal so you dont really see stock heads being cut up anymore.
There are a lot less choices for RZ's though. Wicked and the place in Spain are the only ones Ive seen lately.

rodneya · October 26, 2023, 12:01:00 AM

Banshee ones had an oring around the spark plug boss like this to seal.

Aloha808 · October 28, 2023, 12:59:54 PM

Quote from: rodneya on October 25, 2023, 11:56:04 PMThat mod started on banshee heads so that guys could run different cc domes and 4 mil cranks and still keep the motor looking completely stock. Now stealth coolheads that look just like stockers are available that have orings to seal so you dont really see stock heads being cut up anymore.
There are a lot less choices for RZ's though. Wicked and the place in Spain are the only ones Ive seen lately.

Thanks for the information. I may have to look into Wicked.

Aloha808 · October 28, 2023, 01:17:53 PM

I am thinking of using a bearing puller set up to pull the aluminum boss out for resealing. See pictures below.

The adapter screws into the spark plug threads. It tightens up well when I expand it. I am extremely worried that when I start slowly pulling on it, that it is going to strip the spark plug threads. I am really good at f**king things up.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

m in sc · October 28, 2023, 04:13:25 PM

probably not enough material for a timesert?

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Coolant leak