/2 and airhead gasket problem, head, does it happen to newer airheads

[mrtnfischer]

I have acquired a rebuilt R69s with 30 miles on it. Bad compression and it would run and smoke, took off the head and the cylinder to find the head gasket was new but was deteriorated or eaten away down to the oil drain hole from the Valve cover oil drain hole and gases from firing were going into the crankcase.
Hence, the lower compression for a new engine rebuild (60lbs). This engine was rebuilt in 2001 at BOB's BMWS. IN going over the bike, all of the nuts, bolts were loose, from the electrical to the center stand including the head bolts. Wow, if you ever get a engine rebuilt by someone else,,,, better check it out first. PS it is for sale..

Did this ever happen to anyone on a later airhead or is this indicative of a /2..

 

[20774]

This is more of a vintage post, so I'll move this to the Vintage forum later on.

But as for your question, no this is not indicative of any period of /2 or Airhead. Just sounds like a bad overhaul job at Bob's. They're somewhat known for their vintage work but places like Max BMW and certainly Vech at Benchmark Works have better reputations.

Please note....selling bikes on the tech part of the forum is not allowed. So, best that you use the Marketplace to place an ad or try some of the other online markets.

 

[mrtnfischer]

R69s/2 more problems with head gasket, new set from Bob's

OK, well no real response from Bob's after sending detailed information on the head gaskets. Got another set of R60s gaskets from Bob,s, I put them in and they last 3 miles before deteriorating. So Same problem.

I sent info to Ted Porter from the Beemershop.com, he returned my info and more ASAP, said heads had to be milled. So will see.

 

[20774]

Have you done a leak down test? Usually that's done in order to isolate leakage past rings or the valves. But if you have head problems, seems like there would be leakage there and you should be able to hear it. That would certainly confirm bad heads and sealing surfaces.

 

[PGlaves]

I agree with Ted Porter. If the head surface is not perfectly flat combustion gasses can pass between the gasket and head, and this rapidly erodes the gasket.

 

[r1200rst]

head gasket blowing

OK, well no real response from Bob's after sending detailed information on the head gaskets. Got another set of R60s gaskets from Bob,s, I put them in and they last 3 miles before deteriorating. So Same problem.

I sent info to Ted Porter from the Beemershop.com, he returned my info and more ASAP, said heads had to be milled. So will see.

I'm having the same problem on my 1967 R50/2. The right side just let loose yesterday after less than 100 miles on a new gasket, same exact failure as yours. Did you come up with a solution?

 

[1074]

Agree with the surfacing of the heads. Seen this more than once!

 

[stevenrankin]

Different vehicle

I had a neighbor who had a leaking head gasket on his V6.
When I told him what work was involved to fix it correctly, his eyes crossed and his brain switched off.
Fast forward to a week later and a freezing day he is in the drive trying to start his now fixed car. There is a loud noise then, nothing. Blown engine.
Turns out he did not have the heads checked and one was warped. He only installed a new gasket, reused the head bolts even though it was not recommended.
The new head gasket leaked, water got into one cylinder, and froze.
Ice and water can't be compressed.

In a long stupid story, I guess I am saying, yep, check the heads for flatness.

Sorry, for the story, just thought something amusing would make you all's day. St.

 

[lkchris]

Retorqueing head gasket fasteners after a few miles is common practice ... sounds like that wasn't performed.

As a piece of information only, they've now invented head gaskets that don't require this (not for Airheads)

https://www.mbwholesaleparts.com/co...BST-Multi-Layer-Steel-Forever-Head-Gasket.pdf

 

[r1200rst]

I wish it was that simple but I did a 40 mile ride, let it sit overnight and did a retorque and a valve adjustment.