Remove an old gasket - how?

**CookMySock** · 29th May 2009, 17:14

I have the stator cover off my GT650R and since I wrecked the old gasket I bought a new one for it.

BUT the old gasket is stuck REAL TIGHT to the cover. I started slicing it off with a stanley knife, but its just way too easy to take a slice of aluminium with it.

How do I remove the gasket without harming the alloy cover ?

Thanks,
Steve

**robinm** · 29th May 2009, 17:17

CRC gasket stripper or a rotary wire brush, or a glass scraper. The choice is yours.

**tri boy** · 29th May 2009, 17:21

Dribble petrol onto the paper, and let it soften the gasket bit by bit.
An old fork oil bottle, with the plastic tube from a chain oil spray can through the bottle cap makes a great "dribbler".
Some gaskets can be hard as hell. A keenly sharpened broken hacksaw blade is a better scraper than a stanley blade.
Good luck.

**YellowDog** · 29th May 2009, 17:27

The last time I did one of these I used a fine chisel head that would fit inside the groove. It was really tough getting the last small bits off. I then gave it a good clean with white spirit.

I suspect that the first soaking it in petrol (or white spirit) suggestion is a good one.

**cs363** · 29th May 2009, 18:57

Originally Posted by robinm

CRC gasket stripper or a rotary wire brush, or a glass scraper. The choice is yours.

What he said, no need to reinvent the wheel. Gasket stripper makes the job really easy, especially with a proper gasket scraper. Both handy items to keep in the shed.

**CookMySock** · 29th May 2009, 19:06

Cool, I've never heard of gasket stripper. Will get some. I gave it a squirt with engine degreaser.. dunno what that will do..

Thanks heaps.
Steve

**Skunk** · 29th May 2009, 19:08

I soak mine in a bath of white spirits/petrol/kero overnight.

**cs363** · 29th May 2009, 19:12

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Cool, I've never heard of gasket stripper. Will get some. I gave it a squirt with engine degreaser.. dunno what that will do..

Thanks heaps.
Steve

This is what you're looking for: http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.n...r?openDocument

Supercheap or Repco should have it.

Not saying some of the other methods mentioned won't work after a fashion, but this stuff works straight away and without risk of damaging soft aluminium cases and the like. Mechanics use it because they want to get the job done quickly and efficiently with minimum hassle.

**CookMySock** · 29th May 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by cs363

This is what you're looking for: http://www.crcind.com.au/catalogue.n...r?openDocument

Supercheap or Repco should have it.
[...] this stuff works straight away and without risk of damaging soft aluminium cases and the like. Mechanics use it because they want to get the job done quickly and efficiently with minimum hassle.

As do I. Anything not done is a hurry is not worth doing!

Thanks fo' that. Will go see the friendly team at whakas repco tomorrow.

Steve

**classic zed** · 29th May 2009, 20:25

Iv used spray on oven cleaner before on engines, its great for softening gaskets and eating carbon

**cs363** · 29th May 2009, 20:31

Originally Posted by classic zed

Iv used spray on oven cleaner before on engines, its great for softening gaskets and eating carbon

hmm..it would probably work on cast iron etc, but you'd want to watch that stuff on aluminium, it's highly corrosive - most oven cleaners have warnings on the can not to use it on aluminium. Though there are a few brands that use a less corrosive recipe. I've got to admit I've found oven cleaner to be a useful item for cleaning off carbon and oxidation etc in the past.
But for anyone that hasn't used it before just use care, maybe spot check it first!

**classic zed** · 29th May 2009, 20:41

Originally Posted by cs363

hmm..it would probably work on cast iron etc, but you'd want to watch that stuff on aluminium, it's highly corrosive - most oven cleaners have warnings on the can not to use it on aluminium. Though there are a few brands that use a less corrosive recipe. I've got to admit I've found oven cleaner to be a useful item for cleaning off carbon and oxidation etc in the past.
But for anyone that hasn't used it before just use care, maybe spot check it first!

Iv never had a problem cleaning pistons with it or cylinder heads for that matter.

**cs363** · 29th May 2009, 20:52

Originally Posted by classic zed

Iv never had a problem cleaning pistons with it or cylinder heads for that matter.

Don't get me wrong, it definitely works especially on harder, unpolished/unpainted alloys such as those, my post was intended as a warning for a noob that might just spray it all over their polished/painted engine cases or whatever and get a nasty surprise!

And besides, whilst it works to a degree as I said above - why reinvent the wheel? CRC make a very good product that isn't overly expensive and that is designed specifically for the job DB is doing.

Products not intended for a specific job can be dangerous in the wrong hands and I would hate to think of someone destroying components on their bike with a highly corrosive substance like oven cleaner, just because they have blindly followed some well intentioned advice off an internet forum without being aware of the possible dangers.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from.

**CookMySock** · 29th May 2009, 20:58

Originally Posted by cs363

Products not intended for a specific job can be dangerous in the wrong hands and I would hate to think of someone destroying components on their bike with a highly corrosive substance like oven cleaner, just because they have blindly followed some well intentioned advice off an internet forum without being aware of the possible dangers.

Yep, good cause for concern. I'll spot test with the oven cleaner and report back..

Steve