What to do head gasket

My 2004 Vfr is in need of the dreaded 16k service. However in the past month it appears that it has a leaking head gasket. Oil is clear but the coolant level and exhaust smell is showing bad head gasket. Any way the two closest dealers are quoting $1,200 to $1,500 for the service and the gasket. I can't believe this thing needs a head gasket at 14000 miles. The bike is in good shape overall and runs well but, I hate to spend that kind of money on a motor if its just going to break again. The other option is to unload it on some unsuspecting dealer or consumer (bad karma). BTW while its in the shop they can do two "product updates" on what is supposed to be one of Honda's top shelf units.

 

Why do you fear that the motor is just going to break again? It's a Honda! Ever check out the service intervals and charges for a Ducati?

 

wow, I'm also shocked the head gasket would go at 14k. Are you absolutely sure that's the problem, maybe get a second opinion?

I'm curious about those "product updates", what are they specifically? My initial thougth on that was, "sounds like typical dealer BS to get more $$."

I definitely wouldn't screw someone over and unload it w/o disclosure (even a dealer), just not cool man.

 

I am guessing on the head gasket: after a couple of weeks the coolant tank level starts to go up and when I open the radiator cap the level is way down. Some mornings I get a sweet coolant smell from the exhaust when it starts. So at this point its just an uneducated guess. The product updates are recalls covering a leaking pcv valve and a faulty wiring harness done n/c. I wish they could work some of the labor into the recalls.

 

Don't tell me that. A Ducati was going to be my next bike!

 

Head gasket problems at 14,000 seems kinda odd. Sure it happens, but its rare. I would buy a book and do it myself, and not worry about it breaking again. If you're still worried, fix it, sell it and buy another. These are great bikes and everything has problems. Try owning one of the old, 500, 750, 1000s, they almost all had cam problems. As for product updates, well Honda rarely recalls anything, doesn't mean they don't have problems just that they update things as opposed to recalling them. Last recall I remember on a Honda bike was on the original 1984 VF500Fs, the crank would crack... Honda said overfill the oil and it will be just fine, they did recall them and replace motors, so the vin on the engines had an X in the replacement motor. I'm sure something else has been recalled but it doesn't happen very often.

 

I'd replace the radiator cap before doing anything.

 

That good advice, keep it simple right? I will try that and since the dealer can't take the bike for two weeks it will give me time to try it. Would the cap leak coolant if it were bad? I have no external leakage at all. Just a coolant tank that fills itself and a strong odor when I start it after it sits for several hours.

 

A bad radiator cap can cause tons of wierd problems. It's easy to change and worth a shot.