Head Gasket Problems Please Help

[YT125H]

my head gasket has leaked for a while and now a head bolt stripped out and so i put a helicoil in it so it should have stopped leaking since it is tight but i went to go buy a new gasket and the guy told me to paint both side with silver spray paint and it seemed to work(MY HEAD GASKET IS COPPER BY THE WAY) but afer a while it started leaking again so do you think that the gasket got wore from it leaking for a while or do you have any other tricks to stop it from leaking or should i just get a new gasket its only $10

81 yt125 tri moto

[J.D.]

I would say just buy the new gasket instead of d!cking around with this old one.

[250Rstud]

save yourself the hassle and buy a new one

[TimSr]

For trying to save $10, you are risking melting a hole in your piston. Copper gaskets compress when you torque the head down which is why youre not supposed to reuse them. If you vere use a sealer, dont use paint! Use Copper Coat gasket sealer, which is a spray on copper film specially made for metallic head gaskets.

[samster143]

What kind of witchcraft is using silver paint on a head gasket? Use a fresh gasket so you can get all the compression yer engine can make. This is just my opinion.

[YamaChuck]

If the copper sealant doesn't work, you may have a warped head.

[Howdy]

If the copper sealant doesn't work, you may have a warped head.

I agree 100% there. I use the coper spray all the time and it seals almost all the time. But once in a while it won't because of warpage.
Howdy

[200x Basket]

especially if the head is warped and i would do this anyway.. take a peice of thick flat glass and lay a peice of 600 grit sand paper on it. put a dab of dawn soap on it and some water. now lap the bottom of the head in it in a figure "8" motion. do this until all of the seating surface on the head is shiny. it may take several sheets of paper to do this. i usualy stop at the 600 grit but going on up to 1000 grit would be better. now you are sure you have a flat head.

[tony_250r]

This is what I would do.

If the copper gasket doesn’t have visible sings of damaged, try this. Use a torch to heat the copper gasket up to the point that it is glowing, this will expand the gasket to its original size. Not now you can install it; I use Paratex High Tack Gasket Sealer to help insure a complete seal.

[olive123]

THIS IS REDICULOUS!
BUY A NEW HEADGASKET ALREADY!!!
(please)

[G-MAN-1]

really just go buy a damn gasket and stop f---ing with it. i hate people who try to save 10 buxx. and end up messing up 200 bux plus worth of other sh-t. up. geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. dont be a cheapo. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :evil: :evil: :evil: :idea:

[tony_250r]

Just for information, copper head gaskets are made to be reused, just heat them up and they will expand.

[FullBore]

You may be able to reuse them, but why when a new one is only $10??
Its better off with a new one, If you’re doing something that’s worth the effort, its worth doing Right!
If its right the first time there should be no second time!

[YamaChuck]

Just for everyone's info, I had the exact same problem with my head when I rebuilt my YT125 motor. I bought a new gasket 3 times and used the copper sealant with no luck. Then I finally did as basket said and sanded the head using sandpaper and a thick piece of glass. That did the trick. Heck, I got the idea right out of my service manual. It works!

[YT125H]

I just ordered a new gasket yesterday and if it doesnt seal ill try the cleaning method or if the head is warped i have another one so ill try that

thanks for all your help 8)

[200x Basket]

you better sand the haed and do it right the fisrt time, well unless you want to do it again.

[YamaChuck]

Agreed. It won't hurt a thing.