2 different statements from different stealers???

[Guest kozman01]

Hi everyone,

 

I have an 07' RSV that had a small leak at the head gasket last year with around 500 miles on the bike. I took it back to the original dealer and they said, "Let's just keep an eye on that". I told them that was BS and I wanted it fixed. They said fine. A few weeks later, the dealer calls me and says there is a TSB or something out from Yamaha about re-torqing the head bolts on the 07's. I then contacted a dealer a little farther from me but has a good rep. THEY say Yamaha's TSB says that a new head gasket and bolts are to be put on them and then torqued to proper spec. The original dealer said "Nope, the bolts just get re-torqued". I'd like some opinions on this. Do I want the bolts just re-torqued or do I want the new gasket and bolts put on? Thanks for anyones input on this. I'm not inclined to go with the first dealer with the "just re-torque" idea. I'm not to happy with this guy for other reasons. Thanks!

[papa smurf]

go with your gut. if you got a bad feeling about the first guy, there's probably a reason.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Sometimes re-torquing can do the job. I'd try that first...less chance of a screw-up by the wrench.

 

Some dealers will 'fudge' on this stuff anyway, since they get a certain amount of warranty money each year.

 

And hey, if it doesnt do the job, maybe the gasket is bad, and you can always have them go in and re-do the job. Id find a dealer that has the best mechanics...not necessarily the closest or cheapest dealer...(yes i know its a warranty thing)...

 

 

[halfwitt]

I also have an '07 RSV. At about the same time, 500 miles +/- I saw coolant on the engine. I brought it in to my dealer, he retourqued the heads and I haven't had a problem since. About 2-3 months later I heard of the service bulletin. I'm content with the fix and I know if I have an issue my dealer will make it right.

[dray]

i know here in town they been puting on head gaskets and stuff so it would sound like your first dealer is just torking the heads and getting paid for the hole thing less work more pay latter if you have a problem who will cover it ?

 

have it done right

[BuddyRich]

Any time you have a gasket breach (leak) it should be replaced.

[rsstar]

I agree with Buddyrich. Retorqueing alone isn't a fix, it's a bandaid. Take it to the farther/second dealer and get it COMPLETELY fixed.

[Guest kozman01]

I'm inclined to go with the replacement as I agree with the "breached" gasket needing replaced. Thanks gentlemen.

[Marcarl]

When you have a leakage between any gasket, but especially the head gasket (due to high pressure from the cylinders) you will have deposits in between the mating surfaces. Torquing may make it better for a little while but will not really solve the problem now created. You need to not only replace the gasket but also check the head for plane to make sure it hasn't warped, even just a little.

[Redneck]

I would tell dealer #1 I wanted to see the yamaha service bulletin for myself and see what it says. If they refuse ask dealer #2 if you find dealer #1 has not told you the truth file a complaint with yamaha.

Once upon a time re torquing heads was common practice and will do no harm. You have 4 more years of warranty left in case it keeps leaking.

[Guest tessa c2]

i'd go with dealer 2, when i had bought my quad runner, there was a problem with the crankcase breather, and would push the crank seals out, when the temp dropped below freezing mark, so i had taken it back to them and they had put new seals in along with the change over kit. well a few years later i had the quad into a different dealer and while stripped down he had asked if he should put this kit in, i had told him that that was done under warentie. i guess i hadn't so the second dealer tried to put the change over kit in and polaris told him by their records that it was done, well at least they had paid dealer 1 for doing it anyways, Needless to say, Fast toys for boys are no longer selling for polaris.

[Snarley Bill]

rednecks right. retorque the heads first. if it works your much better off. pulling a head on one of these bikes is a major job. lots of places where perfection is involved to do it right. like keeping parts clean, getting everything back where it belongs, getting a mechanic that really gives a damn,etc.they can do more harm then good. if it were mine i would replace the gasket myself , before i would chance them screwing up my bike.i did the tranny recall on one of my bikes, cuz of all the horror stories on a forum about it. if the retorque stops the leak your way ahead.these engines have free standing cylinders.meaning the cyinder is not attached to the outside of the water jacket at the top. so if it is seeping on the out side it has nothing to do with leaking at the top of the cylinder. torque it first.bill

[Yammer Dan]

I think I would retorque and watch closely but I would want to know what bullentin said.

[Guest KitCarson]

Hey Kozman: I am sorry you are having this situation with your bike. I remember last year when you talked about it. And the fact you are kinda stuck with it...and dis-appointed in the whole affair. This among other things occurred with my 2007. I in fact welded an allen wrench, made it longer and put a bend in it.....so I could torque the head bolts.....with the motor in the bike........as I also developed this same leak. It did not cure it.......so I contacted the dealer in Rock Hill. They do have a bulletin on this......and it does state they have to install a new gasket. So it is more than just to check or re-torque.....which makes sense....once a gasket is compromised and leaks......simply torque has never seemed to work on anything.

Go to the dealer that has told you the truth.....it needs a new gasket. If you cannot get quick and satisfactory service out of the yahoo's simply call this man ......Luke Bugle....at Yamaha.....his number is 1-714-761-7300. It will tell you to pick option this or that......whatever it does ...stick to your guns and ask to speak to Luke.......if he is not there . Leave a message......he will call you.....if he is busy and does not....call him again in two hours..........once you talk to him in person......those dealers will jump through hoops to help you.....this fellow will build a fire under them. You will not have to put up with waiting six weeks to get it fixed either.

Let me know if I can help.......I will call him for you if need be....I love to agree to dis-agree with these dealers................Kit

[Guest kozman01]

Hey Kit,

 

Thanks for the info. I'm am going to go with the dealer who was straight up with me the second I gave him my VIN. I'm familiar with that shop as I have had goobecause he has a part d dealings with them in the past. I will keep Luke's info close by though because I DO have to deal with dealer #1 because he has a part that I have to get from him that was ordered last year. In case anyone forgot, I was the one who has something leaking from one of the drainage tubes above the airbox and making the laminate on the inside of one of my lowers seperate. Dealer #1 ordered it but wants to "re-torque" the head bolts when I bring it in to have the new lower replaced. I'm tempted to remove the old lower and take it in and pick-up my new lower and tell him to charge Yamaha whatever he wants, I don't want them touching my bike:) I'm kind of picky about my ride! Thanks everyone for the info/opinions. They are always welcome.

[BradT]

To re-torque the heads you have to remove the cam shafts anyway, as I believe the head bolts are under the cams (at least on a first gen)

 

The only difference is that to change the gasket you have to pull the motor. They could tighten the head bolts while the motor is in the bike. But it makes it a lot harder to work on. I think it would be much safer and easier to do while the engine is on a bench.

 

I would prefer a mechanic to do this job when the engine is out of the bike. So insisting on the gasket may be less of a chance of damaging those critical parts, or your paint.

 

 

Brad