head gasket, cam chain and tensioner valves and clearances

[nitro_rhys]

As above what sort of price should i be looking at for this work including parts and labour?

had some big varies in price some as much as £450 others as low as £250.

I am not 100% sure on whether the head gasket will need doing however as it is droppin coolant but the oil is not milky the bike is on 18,000 so i figured it may be worth doing now as it is a little noisy?

i rang up one guy and he said it may be worth getting a new engine as it may be the cams that has worn and not the cam chain he says it is a common problem?

thanks

[Jeppo]

When you say dropping coolant? where is if dropping it from? If u can find out and you don't need head gasket replacin then you'll save alot of money, as thats the hardest thing in ure list to get to.

Never heard of cams wearing....I thought thats what shims were for, so they wear first and cost pennies, rather than the cams....

No idea on cost as I replaced my own headgasket, took me a day nd a bit but saved me a good lump of money i feel

[diesel]

When you say dropping coolant? where is if dropping it from? If u can find out and you don't need head gasket replacin then you'll save alot of money, as thats the hardest thing in ure list to get to.

Never heard of cams wearing....I thought thats what shims were for, so they wear first and cost pennies, rather than the cams....

No idea on cost as I replaced my own headgasket, took me a day nd a bit but saved me a good lump of money i feel

a day and a bit? what, did yer hands drop off

[nitro_rhys]

i cant see where its dropping from though, just need to top bottle up very often! hopefully if i get chance on the weekend then i will get fairing off and have a look. i can hear like an air pressure leak when i turn bike off really faint like a pshhhhhhhhhththhhhhhhhhhhhthhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[lewisdale]

could be the breather in youre fuel tank hissing mate,

[Jeppo]

what, did yer hands drop off

lol, nah i was just workin very slowly I was a little scared of breakin the thing as i'd only had it about 6 hours lol.

[steve87]

where are you in the country, as I will do the work for you.
ive done it all on my bike and im sure we can come to some sort of agreement if your near
steve (im rugby in the middle of the country)

[hatatfatcat]

cam chains are about £35, head gasket £20, shims about £7 each. Just done the same job, and took about 3 days in total including lapping the valves in. If you've changed the head gasket before then you can do it all yourself. It's the labour that makes it expensive. The bloke talking about worn cams is talking crap.

[diesel]

cam chains are about £35, head gasket £20, shims about £7 each. Just done the same job, and took about 3 days in total including lapping the valves in. If you've changed the head gasket before then you can do it all yourself. It's the labour that makes it expensive. The bloke talking about worn cams is talking crap.

shims are less than that. i got em for 3.50

[dickie]

My bike recently developed a ticking noise, was always there no matter what the rev's.
I've taken it to a local independent motorcycle mechanic & he tells me my cams & followers are worn out.

from what I read above are you suggesting cam's don't wear??

Bike: 1998 ZXR400 L8 - 24,000 miles.

[Scott221]

I'll be doing exactly the same job is a couple of weeks. I've never touched the inside of an engine before in my life (apart from the necessary oil and filter change). Just take it slow, note down things and take pictures. If you get stuck, people on here will help you out. Save yourself alot of money.

[bendog66]

The coolant leak is probably from the seal round the temperature sensor under the carbs. Undo the 2 bolts, dry the area and use silicone gasket. Works fine. The same thing happened to mine with regards to the noise.

[diesel]

I'll be doing exactly the same job is a couple of weeks. I've never touched the inside of an engine before in my life (apart from the necessary oil and filter change). Just take it slow, note down things and take pictures. If you get stuck, people on here will help you out. Save yourself alot of money.

f*** me you picked a hell of a first task. woo hoo. good luck