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Message started by Dee on 09/23/08 at 17:40:57

Title: torque head gasket?
Post by Dee on 09/23/08 at 17:40:57

Hi, I have 9000 miles on my ls650. I am losing oil thru the heads. In my manuel it says that it is time to re torque the heads. Can I do this myself? Is there a link on here with directions that anyone can help me thru this.
I can & have changed the oil a few times & also tightened my belt using the little tool in the toolkit.

Thanks for any help, Dee

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by Digger on 11/27/08 at 21:10:35

Hi Dee,

You're off to a good start changing your own oil and adjusting your belt tension.

Your next step in the evolutionary process is to purchase a maintenance manual. I have a Suzuki factory manual for this bike, but some may say the Clymer manual is better for beginners.

Good luck!

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by mick on 11/27/08 at 22:39:08

Hello Dee,
You can do it,but do as Digger sugests get a manual.
Do you have a set of metric wrenches? if not drop a few hints, xmas is coming,and I'm guessing you've been a good girl.
Spend an evening reading the clymer manual,and give it a go,if you get stuck we are all here and willing to help.
good luck.

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 11/27/08 at 22:46:01

Has this bike been taken to a shop for a head retorque? If it has, thers a good chance the problem is a commonly occuring leak at a rubber plug.

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by FreeSpirit on 11/28/08 at 00:29:29

Dee,Is the manual you have a maintenance manual? I dont know of a link here but if I run across one,I'll come back and post it.

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by Toymaker on 11/28/08 at 02:48:40

Hi Dee. There was a manual here in the Tech section. But it does sound like the infamous seal leak. We have all had to deal with it so welcome to the club.

BTW...it isn't hard to fix. :)

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by Beaudreau on 11/28/08 at 05:11:12

I have the same issue with my '02 with only 2k miles. Oil is seeping out of the head around the cooling fins at the gasket. What is this about a rubber plug? I was gonna' torque the head bolts. JB

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by Beaudreau on 11/28/08 at 05:24:41

There is one more strange thing with my '02 with 2k miles.... I've read about the header pipe turning blue, so I did the mod for the carb mixture screw. I backed the screw off about 1/2-3/4 of a turn (which has NOT stopped the backfiring), but the exhaust pipe is (and always has been) blue at the header, and yellow/goldish on the muffler section. The bike sat for a while before I bought it, and does have a new carb. Runs great, doesn't smell rich, doesn't smell hot. The pictures I see of other bikes don't have any discoloration. Wondering if this is indicative of a problem. JB :-/

Title: Re: torque head gasket?
Post by photojoe on 11/28/08 at 07:26:00

Here's the head plug/cap fix and discussion: http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1099227295