wet base gasket

[thejackrabbit]

I just got my 200 back together added coolant and after about 3 hours of sitting i noticed that the base gasket in the ignition side towards the front of the bike was lightly damp, not dripping any coolant is this normal to happen after adding the coolant? i torqued all the base bolts to the right spec. I did not use any sealant on the gasket, just put it on dry.

 

[Jakobi]

Go any pictures? I'd have a hard time even seeing if a base gasket was damp.

Really no coolant should be coming out anywhere, at any rate. If possible to pressure test the cooling system things might become more noticable, otherwise when you first start it up take special notice and triple check everywhere for leaks. I generally use a little silicone gasket material over the areas where the cases join, and just a slight smear of grease on the gaskets to assist in removal later on.

 

[thejackrabbit]

It's honestly too small for a camera to see when I run my nail along the gasket in the front left of the cylinder (as if sitting on bike) i can get a little dampness on my finger.

I had this same problem on my KDX when I installed the gasket dry, with 19 hours on that bike it hasn't hurt the bike so I'm assuming that its okay because on the gasgas it it much less severe than the kdx where the whole base gasket was wet not just the one corner

 

[motopsycho87]

I fitted 3 0.5mm base gaskets dry, no leaking at all.

People always say to use grease to make 'gaskets easier to remove', but that is crap, it breaks down the gasket material as sticks it like **** to the mating components!

A blob of instant gasket at the crankcase join is always a good idea though!

 

[Jakobi]

It might depend on the grease you use. In my experience I've greased all my gaskets and never had any issues with them sticking. My last set of base gaskets came off so cleanly I could have reused them. Of course I didn't though.

 

[Coop]

It might depend on the grease you use. In my experience I've greased all my gaskets and never had any issues with them sticking. My last set of base gaskets came off so cleanly I could have reused them. Of course I didn't though.

Same here.

 

[thejackrabbit]

I've gone back and tightened the left front base nut (as if sitting on the bike) just enough for it to crack one little bit, after a few days of watching it i can't feel any dampness on the gasket and the coolant level is staying consistent, it was the whole time