Help! Valve gasket or Cylinder Gasket?

FC450
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OH US
6/7/2020 6:09am Edited Date/Time 6/8/2020 4:23pm
Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I've got a '17 FC 450 with 22hrs. It has recently started to run hot (203F) and feels like the bike loses power. According to the Factory Effex temp stickers on the Cylinder. The oil is clear as it should be, and the coolant also appears normal. I do notice a bit of coolant smell but it comes and goes. Here is what I found when looking over the bike. I did noticed one valve cover bolt was a touch out of spec (in-ftlbs). There appears to be a leak, but not exactly sure... thoughts?




Thanks again!
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kb228
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6/7/2020 7:05am
That is a blown headgasket.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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6/7/2020 7:24am
You could do a leak down test fo confirm if the gasket needs to get replaced.

FC450
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6/7/2020 7:28am
Thanks KB228 & CarlinoJoeVideo,

The question becomes, how difficult would this be to replace. I have the service manual, and have replaced top-ends and such on 2s trokes, but have not really dove into the 4strokes yet, other than clutches etc.
Cary Kellum
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6/7/2020 9:30am
If it is a micro leak on the head gasket, get some bars leak and put a couple tablespoons in the radiator, I’ve used it on water cooled four strokes before and it’s done the job. If it is a coolant leak. It could buy you some time. And it lubricates the water pump!

The Shop

kb228
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6/8/2020 8:22am
FC450 wrote:
Thanks KB228 & CarlinoJoeVideo, The question becomes, how difficult would this be to replace. I have the service manual, and have replaced top-ends and such on...
Thanks KB228 & CarlinoJoeVideo,

The question becomes, how difficult would this be to replace. I have the service manual, and have replaced top-ends and such on 2s trokes, but have not really dove into the 4strokes yet, other than clutches etc.
I take back my first post..

Id replace your valve cover gasket. Oil is what makes the dirt stick like that. And oil doesnt travel upwards, and oil shouldnt be coming out of the head gasket. I dont know why i said head gasket, sorry.

The valve gasket is easy. Take the bolts off the top of the valve gasket, take the old one off, scrape off the old silicone and put new silocone on, then the new gasket, then tighten it up and ride.
1
mx317
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6/8/2020 8:54am
I'm with kb228, it looks like it is coming from the valve cover gasket. Clean it up and watch where it is coming from on your next ride. It's not leaking enough to get low on oil, but still keep a check on it.
mx317
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6/8/2020 8:57am Edited Date/Time 6/8/2020 8:59am
Also check your intake boot for cracks and the bands for tightness. I've seen some of those leak and when dirt sticks to it, it looks like the photo. It might also explain it running warmer if it is leaning out with an air leak.
Paul_Pitzonka
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6/8/2020 9:25am
Definitely valve cover gasket... easiest thing to remember when chasing a leak “sh*t runs downhill” not up... please don’t use bars leak either if you ever have a small leak or blown head gasket... fix it the correct way...
526
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6/8/2020 9:36am
The Valve cover gasket leaking isn't making it run hot and lose power FYI you have something deeper going on
Paul_Pitzonka
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6/8/2020 9:41am
526 wrote:
The Valve cover gasket leaking isn't making it run hot and lose power FYI you have something deeper going on
X2
kb228
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6/8/2020 2:33pm
526 wrote:
The Valve cover gasket leaking isn't making it run hot and lose power FYI you have something deeper going on
Could be both for all we know
FC450
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6/8/2020 4:23pm
Thanks everyone. Your feed back is/was appreciated! I've dropped the bike off at a local shop to be looked at.

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