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[bdas2]

Whats the easiest way to tell if you have a blown head gasket?  It seems I have fumes coming right up in front of me and I here a ticking noise.  I though I'd check to see whats going on. Any ideas?

[vagabond6542]

Whats the easiest way to tell if you have a blown head gasket?  It seems I have fumes coming right up in front of me and I here a ticking noise.  I though I'd check to see whats going on. Any ideas?

What year is the bike? The 2007's and the 2008's have been creating a history with blown head gaskets.
You can do a search of this forum and find countless posts on your question.
The quickest way to find a blown head gasket is to look for oil leaks from the heads.
The ticking noise could be the rocker boxes need to be cleared. Hope this helps.

[Chief]

Whats the easiest way to tell if you have a blown head gasket?  It seems I have fumes coming right up in front of me and I here a ticking noise.  I though I'd check to see whats going on. Any ideas?

The symptom you're looking for is oil leaking from between the head and the cylinder. This is the line just under where the exhaust pipe leaves the head. If you look at the area right under the exhaust pipe, you can see the edge of the gasket. If it is leaking there, you'll be able to see the oil. In some advanced cases, the oil will be leaking enough for the oil to actually run out across the fins of the cylinder and drip, normally onto the top of the transmission.

The other area you can look at is the base of the cylinder, where it meets the case. You can experience oil seeping out from under the cylinder and down onto the side of the crankcase.

The ticking you hear is either normal valve train noise or it could be the edge of the valve spring retainers hitting the side of the rocker box. This was a common problem with the 07's and some of the 08's.

Good luck,

[DCFIREMANN]

You either have a blown head gasket or a bad exhaust gasket. You need to look very closely. If you have a compression tester or a leak down tester you will know for sure.

Hope this helps.

OH and BTW it really doesn't matter what year bike or model you own. It can happen on any and all. One word of advice. LET THE MOTOR WARM UP BEFORE CRACKING THE THROTTLE!!!!! The cylinders and heads need to expand to tighten everything up. If I remember correctly the cylinder/head assy expands .125 thous. when fully warmed up

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[ccr]

...OH and BTW it really doesn't matter what year bike or model you own. It can happen on any and all. One word of advice. LET THE MOTOR WARM UP BEFORE CRACKING THE THROTTLE!!!!! The cylinders and heads need to expand to tighten everything up. If I remember correctly the cylinder/head assy expands .125 thous. when fully warmed up
...

Thanks for the reminder. 

[bdas2]

yes the bike is an 07 that were talking about.  thanks for the info I will look close to see whats going on


thanks

[Chief]

yes the bike is an 07 that were talking about.  thanks for the info I will look close to see whats going on


thanks

My first post was made because you mentioned a head gasket problem, not because of the symptoms you mentioned. DC Fireman's post is a more accurate diagnosis than mine.

When you say you hear a ticking, are you talking about a mechanical ticking like metal pieces hitting together or could it be an exhaust leak from a bad exhaust gasket? If it's the latter and you say you're smelling fumes, then I would say DC's on the money with a bad exhaust gasket. If it's a metal to metal contact then you may be experiencing the valve spring contacting the rocker box so many of us 07 owners experienced.

Since the bike is still in warranty, I'd definitely take it by the dealer to see if they can narrow down the problem for you.

[old wrench]

You either have a blown head gasket or a bad exhaust gasket. You need to look very closely. If you have a compression tester or a leak down tester you will know for sure.

Hope this helps.

OH and BTW it really doesn't matter what year bike or model you own. It can happen on any and all. One word of advice. LET THE MOTOR WARM UP BEFORE CRACKING THE THROTTLE!!!!! The cylinders and heads need to expand to tighten everything up. If I remember correctly the cylinder/head assy expands .125 thous. when fully warmed up

Be Safe

THE DAWG

I like to be able to feel the warmth on the back of my hand about 1 inch form the cyl before I open the throttle or ride.

[kojak]

Whats the easiest way to tell if you have a blown head gasket?  It seems I have fumes coming right up in front of me and I here a ticking noise.  I though I'd check to see whats going on. Any ideas?

I took my stock mufflers off on my 08 SERK and removed the baffles. I then cut off the catalytic converter and repacked the screen around the baffles, then replaced them on the bike.
If you are smelling gas fumes, try putting your other pipes on and see if it helps with how your bike is running.

[bdas2]

this is not the bike I did this to
I took my stock mufflers off on my 08 SERK and removed the baffles. I then cut off the catalytic converter and repacked the screen around the baffles, then replaced them on the bike.

This is an 07 ultra  the other one runs fine.....I did check and there is no signs of a blown head gasket......so now I will check flange gasket

thanks

[DCFIREMANN]

I like to be able to feel the warmth on the back of my hand about 1 inch form the cyl before I open the throttle or ride.

OLDWRENCH I actually like to touch the top of the rocker box on the rear cylinder. If it is warm then it is usually OK. I like your idea though.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

[old wrench]

OLDWRENCH I actually like to touch the top of the rocker box on the rear cylinder. If it is warm then it is usually OK. I like your idea though.

Be Safe

THE DAWG

WHAT touch the top of my rocker box and get a finger print on my chrome  ha that works too just funnin ya 

[TimBone]

Don't forget to look at the area where the cylinders meet the cases.
Mines was leaking nicely from there for the second repair of
Head Gaskets and then them.  I bet they didn't replace them during
the first set of head gaskets and hence the leak 3K miles later.
GooD Luck,
TimBone

[skreminegul07]

Don't forget to look at the area where the cylinders meet the cases.
Mines was leaking nicely from there for the second repair of
Head Gaskets and then them.  I bet they didn't replace them during
the first set of head gaskets and hence the leak 3K miles later.
GooD Luck,
TimBone

If they replaced the head gaskets w/o pulling the cylinders then yes, the oil is still in the stud holes and its going to seep out even if the new head gaskets are holding up.