Is it likely I have a blown head gasket?

sbklf · 09-03-2013, 01:24 PM

81 gas Marathon 244cc Robin. Got it going and rode it around for a little bit with an open pipe before purchasing a new muffler. Seemed to run good enough for me so I put a new muffler on it. It ran OK for about 30 minutes now huffs and puffs and wont start again. Sounds like a combination air leak/exhaust leak with an occasional backfire. Cant pinpoint where it is exactly coming from with all the air shields in place (cant even see the head). I figure that the added back pressure with a muffler installed may have finished off an already compromised head gasket, is that possible? Oh, I didn't mention that it had 90 psi compression before I rode it. Someone here told me to tighten the head bolts but I did not. I will check compression again when I have a chance.

jcchappy · 09-03-2013, 02:35 PM

90 psi is low. I would check the head bolt as stated before.

redcloud · 09-03-2013, 09:39 PM

90 #s low and do try to torque head bolts first but prob need either a new head gasket or rings or more. One more thing to check however. Watch your throttle linkage at the carb and see if the carb is opening and closing all the way as you peddle down and release. You should hear a click at about 1/2" peddle travel down and your carb should not open until the click has been completed. Very important also to have the carb close completely as if not when you peddle all the way up and no spark but still open carb, you will get fuel coming into cylinder and as soon as you hit peddle to spark it hits the already filed fuel and gives backfire or puffing.

racin161 · 09-04-2013, 07:12 AM

Check the HEAD BOLTS and also the BASE BOLTS where the jug meets the crank case they have been known to blow out. You may also have a crank seal blown out.

LOU

sbklf · 09-04-2013, 12:43 PM

Will a blown out crank seal effect the compression?

I have a top end gasket kit on the way. The cart is not at the house or I would already have it apart to confirm but I'm betting on a blown head gasket.

Thanks for the replies, Kevin

Quote:

Originally Posted by racin161

Check the HEAD BOLTS and also the BASE BOLTS where the jug meets the crank case they have been known to blow out. You may also have a crank seal blown out.

LOU

redcloud · 09-04-2013, 01:45 PM

No crank seal will not effect compression.

racin161 · 09-04-2013, 03:39 PM

But it will give you the huff and puffs.

LOU

09-03-2013, 01:24 PM	#1
sbklf Getting Wild Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 81	Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? 81 gas Marathon 244cc Robin. Got it going and rode it around for a little bit with an open pipe before purchasing a new muffler. Seemed to run good enough for me so I put a new muffler on it. It ran OK for about 30 minutes now huffs and puffs and wont start again. Sounds like a combination air leak/exhaust leak with an occasional backfire. Cant pinpoint where it is exactly coming from with all the air shields in place (cant even see the head). I figure that the added back pressure with a muffler installed may have finished off an already compromised head gasket, is that possible? Oh, I didn't mention that it had 90 psi compression before I rode it. Someone here told me to tighten the head bolts but I did not. I will check compression again when I have a chance.

09-03-2013, 02:35 PM	#2
jcchappy Not Yet Wild Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: s.e. oklahoma Posts: 20	Re: Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? 90 psi is low. I would check the head bolt as stated before.

09-03-2013, 09:39 PM	#3
redcloud Gone Wild Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 320	Re: Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? 90 #s low and do try to torque head bolts first but prob need either a new head gasket or rings or more. One more thing to check however. Watch your throttle linkage at the carb and see if the carb is opening and closing all the way as you peddle down and release. You should hear a click at about 1/2" peddle travel down and your carb should not open until the click has been completed. Very important also to have the carb close completely as if not when you peddle all the way up and no spark but still open carb, you will get fuel coming into cylinder and as soon as you hit peddle to spark it hits the already filed fuel and gives backfire or puffing.
redcloud Gone Wild Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 320

09-04-2013, 07:12 AM	#4
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? Check the HEAD BOLTS and also the BASE BOLTS where the jug meets the crank case they have been known to blow out. You may also have a crank seal blown out. LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

09-04-2013, 01:45 PM	#6
redcloud Gone Wild Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 320	Re: Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? No crank seal will not effect compression.
redcloud Gone Wild Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 320

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09-04-2013, 03:39 PM	#7
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515	Re: Is it likely I have a blown head gasket? But it will give you the huff and puffs. LOU
racin161 Gone Wild Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,515

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