head gasket change...tips/tricks?

[Stillserving]

Haven't torn it down yet, but here's a pic from my other thread

 

[Joesmoe]

I second the question from @idk : Have you contacted Triumph ? That is a mighty unusual flaw - almost certainly a a function of poor workmanship. They might cover it anyway.

 

[Stillserving]

Haven't yet. Is only a couple weeks out of warranty, but nearest dealer is about 2 hrs away and I can't make it to one for another two weeks or so, plus don't know if they're gonna try and give me grief over mods. Anybody got a corporate POC I could call?

 

[Joesmoe]

You could try this:

Triumph America Headquarters

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

Since I hadn’t heard of an oil leak from the head gasket, I’m looking at my manual, and a photo I took. The oil leak isn’t exactly where I’d expect it, if there was a flaw in the gasket. (The slots are for coolant.)

.

Looks like you got some free head coolant passage swarf from Triumph too bro.
Got it in both my heads,,,

Haven't torn it down yet, but here's a pic from my other thread

Dude i don't think any oil goes through head gasket anywhere near your leak.
That being on the intake side, there's a chance it's not from the head gasket but the cam cover gasket.

If it don't seal good on the spark plug towers then oil can get out and dribble down the moisture escape channels to very very close to where your leak appears to start.

Edit: added pic - you could pull the HT leads and look down the plug towers to look for oil residue

 

[mully95]

Sure it's not the oil tank leaking.... where it connects to the block? My Roadster leaks there off and on. Got the O-rings to fix it but haven't installed them yet.

 

[Grumpy Ole Codger]

Looks like you got some free head coolant passage swarf from Triumph too bro.
Got it in both my heads,,,

Dude i don't think any oil goes through head gasket anywhere near your leak.
That being on the intake side, there's a chance it's not from the head gasket but the cam cover gasket.

If it don't seal good on the spark plug towers then oil can get out and dribble down the moisture escape channels to very very close to where your leak appears to start.

Edit: added pic -

Now that sounds like a 'Get out of jail free' card...good luck!

 

[Stillserving]

I think @R-III-R Turbo may just be the man! I'm gonna pull it back apart, but I think that's EXACTLY what the problem is. I didn't know about the moisture channels and when I pulled the plug wires I noticed a little oil, but not much so I ran my finger all around in the plug valleys. Probably broke loose the last little bit of sealing that was still being done. Also explains why the cam cover area was clean and dry on the outside.

Will report back soon...

 

[Stillserving]

#5 spark plug gasket was squashed out of round and allowing the leak. Changed out the cam cover gasket and ran it for about 30 minutes, no leaks. Balanced throttle bodies while I was in there #3 was about 40 off from 1 and 2. ISCV adjust/reset. 12 minute tune and still looks good. Haven't had a chance to go on a proper check ride yet, to busy wrenching on other things.

Thanks again @R-III-R Turbo .

 

[Claviger]

Fantastic outcome, and a million times better than having to swap the HG out only to find it wasn't necessary!