Sealant on head gasket?

[Tahey]

Hi all, thanks for your input on my previous bike issues if I didn't already say,
My xt has slight oil weep from where appears to be the head gasket at the front,
I just ordered a yamaha head gasket but thought I would ask if I should use a sealing compound along with it.
Sorry if this has been recently discussed, permatex was mentioned, but doesn't seem readily available in the uk,
If I do need a sealant would stag wellseal do the trick?

[Nuttynick]

I'm not familiar with the XT gasket, however, if the manual states a sealant use it, if not I personally wouldn't. Some gaskets come pre-coated with a sealant, others are designed to be fitted dry. It goes without saying, that if you do use sealant, be very careful around any oil ways, as once torqued down, any excess will be squeezed into passages and restrict or block flow.

[awolxt]

Hi Tahey!

I didnt use any sealant on my xt600e's head gasket during a rebuild. Make sure you use some on the rocker cover though. Sparingly of course.

Bill

[turboguzzi]

no sealant

[*Touring Ted*]

No sealant is going to stop the compression forces of your piston/cylinder so it's not worth the bother.

The gasket is a press gasket. They are not designed to need sealant or be re-used.

You need to buy a new gasket and closely inspect the mating surfaces between the head and the barrel and why it may have leaked.

Most of the time, it's just a gasket fail and a clean/replacement will sort it out.

The bike may have had some work on it and the gasket was re-used and that's why it's leaking. That's why they generally leak.

[Tahey]

Thanks for your response all, I've got all the rocker cover bolts loose, I hopefully get the job done at the weekend!