Help! Trying to remove the vertical head!!

desmodoktor · November 24, 2010, 06:33:43 PM

hello.
its time for the valve adjustment on my monster. decided to do it myself since the dealer is asking for a lot of money.
yesterday i removed the tank, battery ect and got to the valves. removed the valve covers. im planning on checking the clearance when my feeler gages arrive, replace the belts , spark plugs+ wires, battery , brakes , ect.
my biggest problem is : somebody was working on the bike before i bought it and i guess they had to open the head.. when that person put it back , he didnt put the gasket the right way .. from what i see now it looks like the gasket shifted its possition towards the left when they were putting the screws so they close the head. offcourse it leaks oil from the head. so i figured since i opened up everything might as well replace the gasket so everything is nice and neat.
im scared to start removing the head bcoz i dont really know what i have to do ... or if im going to mess up the timing or the valve possition or smth that might cause problems later on.
please if somebody knows the procedure let me know .. it would be really great. as many details as you can . thank you !

greenmonster · November 25, 2010, 03:48:07 AM

Year & model?

desmodoktor · November 25, 2010, 07:19:57 AM

2002 monster 750 dark.

ducpainter · November 25, 2010, 08:15:09 AM

Where is this gasket that looks out of position.

There is no head 'gasket', and the base gasket is located by the cylinder studs.

booger · November 25, 2010, 09:06:02 AM

Can you provide photographic proof of your suspicion that someone had removed a cylinder head and reinstalled it incorrectly?
For you, I'm thinking the dealer would be money well spent. You know how the old saying goes, 'if it ain't broke, don't break it'. You need to be certain that you know exactly what you are doing, and it doesn't seem to me that you do. Just sayin'. And what's the poll for? Don't quite understand what you are asking with it.

battlecry · November 25, 2010, 10:21:30 AM

I'm confused, it (almost) sounds like he could be talking about the valve cover and its gasket.

greenmonster · November 25, 2010, 05:39:28 PM

QuoteI'm confused, it (almost) sounds like he could be talking about the valve cover and its gasket.

Rereading first post, +1,
and I don`t get the poll either.

Pics of your problem would help.

ducatiz · November 25, 2010, 07:34:58 PM

Quote from: battlecry on November 25, 2010, 10:21:30 AM
I'm confused, it (almost) sounds like he could be talking about the valve cover and its gasket.

yeah, same 'ere. gotta be the cover, not the whole head

desmodoktor · November 25, 2010, 08:36:10 PM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs980.snc4/75373_10150332415870113_579190112_16118239_1409790_n.jpg

thats the gasket im talking abt.
i dont think if i take a pic would help , bcoz you are not going to be able to see how it shifted. you have to see it physically.
what i want to know is: if i remove those 4 nuts that hold the head in place, and pull out the head remove the old gasket , put a new one in; is it going to be hard to put the head back on???
is that going to mess up anything? is there anything i need to know? any tips? it could be anything.. i need all the infos i can get from you guys so i dont mess up my engine.
and no i cant bring it to the dealer. those guys here are straight up rip offs . they would charge me 700 us dollars just to inspect the valves!!! and it took me 2 hours to get to the valves!!
please if you know something let me know. i have all the time in the world to work on the bike!

desmodoktor · November 25, 2010, 08:37:33 PM

idk why the poll is there. how do i get rid of it???

Speeddog · November 25, 2010, 09:00:07 PM

That's the base gasket, it's underneath the cylinder.

desmodoktor · November 25, 2010, 09:09:54 PM

Yes! thats what kinda shifted! and it leaks oil from the space btw.
to get to that gasket im gona have to remove the head. if i remove the head, when i put it back on after i replaced the gasket, am i going to have any problems?
do u know any website where i can get the that gasket? i tried the Ducati OEM , but cant find it. the cacycleworks doesnt have it .

Howie · November 26, 2010, 04:09:39 AM

I just reread your whole thread. I don't see how the base gasket can move since it is held in place by the cylinder studs. I suspect what you are seeing is gasket sealer at the joint. The gasket itself is steel. Cylinder base gasket leaks were common in '01 but rare in '02 The leak could be from above, as others suggested or the oil breather, a common source of leakage. Clean the area real well, ride, inspect. Spraying the suspect area with aerosol foot powder will help lead you to the origin of the leak.

Assuming your bike is operating I would suggest you to out and see Steve at ECS. http://www.europeancycleservices.com
They will charge less and run a fantastic shop. I would trust my first born with those guys. Do not take offense, but, from your posts, I think you should start with some more simple tasks on the bike.

ducatiz · November 26, 2010, 05:02:45 AM

Quote from: svp88 on November 25, 2010, 09:09:54 PM
Yes! thats what kinda shifted! and it leaks oil from the space btw.
to get to that gasket im gona have to remove the head. if i remove the head, when i put it back on after i replaced the gasket, am i going to have any problems?
do u know any website where i can get the that gasket? i tried the Ducati OEM , but cant find it. the cacycleworks doesnt have it .

It comes in a kit, I don't know if you can buy them separately. I know Athena stocks them in a kit, the kits run about $50 for the top-end gaskets.

desmodoktor · November 26, 2010, 06:43:52 AM

Quote from: howie on November 26, 2010, 04:09:39 AM
I just reread your whole thread. I don't see how the base gasket can move since it is held in place by the cylinder studs. I suspect what you are seeing is gasket sealer at the joint. The gasket itself is steel. Cylinder base gasket leaks were common in '01 but rare in '02 The leak could be from above, as others suggested or the oil breather, a common source of leakage. Clean the area real well, ride, inspect. Spraying the suspect area with aerosol foot powder will help lead you to the origin of the leak.

Assuming your bike is operating I would suggest you to out and see Steve at ECS. http://www.europeancycleservices.com
They will charge less and run a fantastic shop. I would trust my first born with those guys. Do not take offense, but, from your posts, I think you should start with some more simple tasks on the bike.

i remove the tank , battery , bracket for battery, opened up the valve covers. nothing leaks from the top.
yeah i know the gasket is steal... i can touch it with a screwdriver and bend it up and down.. i was surprised when i saw it too... i dont know how it shifted like that.
ive cleaned the area back in july and rode it .. it leaks from the head 100%. i appreciate everything you said. but what i really wanted to know is:1) if i remove those 4 nuts that hold the head
and slide it out .. am i going to be able to put it back in with no problems? 2) is there a website out there i can buy the gasket from?

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Help! Trying to remove the vertical head!!