Base Gasket re-use?

[motogroove]

Well, I'm catching up on that pesky reality stuff in my life, so I can start paying attention to my bike again.

As much as I hate to pull the jug, I think I'd better verify that I didn't fry my ring gap during that lean rev incident. I have inspected the bore and piston crown, but I'm not digging the 140ish PSI compression test. I suppose that could be low because I didn't even finish seating the rings...
I dunno.

I could just run it and hope for the best, but it's a losing battle trying to jet a weak top end methinks. And the giant question marks will swirl in my head every night which will only drive me futher insane. So, I'd better take a peek at the ring gap.

Any chance I'll be able to reuse the base gasket that has maybe an hour on it?

I guess I'd better order a couple anyway, and a set of rings...
but if it looks good, I'd like to just throw it right back together before a gremlin climbs in.

***********

This is much my own fault. Somehow I had checked off the carb cleaning on all my lists, but it was spider webs and dust bunnies in there. Damned pilot jet was almost clogged solid, and that might explain the lean rev from Hell.

Time's a-wastin' and I need to ride!
My goal is next weekend.

thanks,
dean
2001xc300

 

[einsteingarage]

I would say you could reuse it if it's fully intact.

I have reused head and base gaskets before, and other ones for that matter.

They key is that you only have an hour on it.

 

[Keg]

I think the important question you should as is "What if it doesn't work?"

For the sake of a $10 gasket, I wouldn't risk a base gasket sucking air and leaning out my motor.

 

[Jakobi]

Agree with kegs.. If it works you've saved 10 minutes and $10.. If it doesn't at minimum you're putting in the time to tear it right back down again, then the cost of gaskets, and this is assuming nothing bad happens as a result..

While on the topic though.. Whats everyones opinions in regards to installing gaskets? Touch of grease on the faces? Dry?? Gasket sealant??

I'll be looking at a stack of approx 1.3mm 2 x 0.5mm and 1 x 0.3mm.. My logic tells me to put the thin one between the 2 thicker ones.. whats everyone elses thoughts?

 

[bchatt]

I recently did my top end and re assembled with a .3 (green) and a .15 (brown paper). I used no sealant any where, and found the paper gasket weeped dampness. I don't think it was "leaking" as such. I think you need some kind cement if you use the thin paper gasket. The 2 times .3 that I have in there now seems fine without anything.

 

[motogroove]

Agree with kegs.. If it works you've saved 10 minutes and $10.. If it doesn't at minimum you're putting in the time to tear it right back down again, then the cost of gaskets, and this is assuming nothing bad happens as a result...

I agree that the risk outwieghs any savings of time or money.
It's mostly the shipping time that bugs me. It conspires with my own procrastination to really slow down progress. By the time the gasket gets here, some darned emergency will have popped up. From now on, I order two of any gasket.

But yes,
penny wise and pound foolish...
haste makes waste...
anything worth doing is worth doing right...

and my favorite,
don't be a dumbass.

Thanks folks.