Thermagasket instead of used head gasket?

Has anyone tried THIS stuff?

I have a VF500 engine that I think has a failing head gasket and since new ones no longer seem to be available I thought I might give this (or something similar) a try instead of having a custom gasket made or using a used one...

 

Cometic will make you a set, or you can try your hand at making some from cereal boxes(Google it!).

 

i would use ducttape.

 

Those are some very uh, helpful suggestions.

So, I take it the answer is no...

 

ah the cereal box gasket is real alot of ol' timers did that back in the day.
copper works as well
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Head_gasket

 

Using additives to solve your problems only creates more problems...DON'T DO IT! Confirm you have a head gasket leak and then solve the problem the correct way.

-Jake

 

If you can get a copper one then get it!

 

give these guys a call they should be able to help you Cometic Gasket, Inc.

 

Dave Dodge says not to use copper gaskets on the V4 engines...I don't know the reasoning behind that. If you can I would get the gasket set from Parts-n-More. If they don't have any more sets then pony up and buy once from Cometic.

-Jake

 

Parts-n-more lists a set for the 83-85....anyone know why not the 86? What's the difference?

 

I would use the old head gasket, if it is not damaged, and spray it with that copper coat head gasket material.

 

I dont know what condition the gaskets are in. Was hoping to avoid disassembly. Left side exhaust can is putting out some white smoke on start up, but it goes away after the engine warms. Was thinking that the gaskets are not blown, just leaking...

 

Just do a compression check. White smoke on start up, is usually just a little oil going down a valve guide seal during the night into the combustion chamber. No big deal.

 

Do the job right, don't re-use a head gasket, not on a water-cooled bike.

They are designed to compress once and only once.

Before replacing gasket, cylinder head should be checked for warping.

 

Blue Smoke = Oil
White Smoke = Coolant

And exactly how much white smoke are we talking?

 

smoke on the water fire in the cylinder..

 

Yes it is basically true you should just use a head gasket once, BUT...
It used to be common practice to re use them. (Old school) It will work if you spray both sides with copper gasket sealer. Just torque to specifications.
If you are under 30 years of age you do not know this.

People used to change their own car tires too, and do it at home in the driveway believe it or not! I remember helping my dad do it. All car tires used to have tubes. That is where all the tubes came from for river rafting.
We did not have day-glo pink things!

Oh ...and not only did we re use head gaskets. Engines used to run much higher compression ratios than they do now, We had leaded gas. Do you remember that???
You used to see head gaskets hanging in peoples garages, because they saved them
for when they could not get a new one.

 

Deepdish - Deep Purple! hahahhahahha very good!!

 

The smoke is white and only lasts as long as the bike takes to warm up....and it only comes out of the left side.

 

There are THREE tests for checking for a blown head gasket.

Drain the oil and look for coolant ,sometimes if it is a blown head gasket you will see the coolant when the oil first comes out. Or empty the oil out of the pan and you will see the coolant on the bottom of the pan.

#2 Running hotter than normal??
#3 Remove a spark plug and look inside at TDC at the piston. If the left side piston is steam cleaned (silver) and the other piston or pistons look black that is another sign coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. and check the exhaust for coolant droplets.

And do not forget the compression check.
Also you can drain the coolant into a pan and check for oil(advanced signs).