[johncook530]

so, two weeks ago (roughly), i was able to get my bike to crank up and idle well. today, i bought some antifreeze (to change it out again, since it erupted out of the radiator the first time). so, i put around 1.5 quarts in it, went to crank it. it will "turn over" from the stand point of trying to crank, but won't start. and what's more, per the directions, i left the cap off. as it was trying to crank, radiator fluid starting "pumping out".

on top of all this, i noticed that what appears to be radiator fluid is leaking out of my exhaust pipe. i have tried to cover the airbox, thinking that would help.nothing. verified fuel is getting to the carbs. thoughts to anyone?




john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[ryzenshyne]

If it's out the exhaust you got a bad head gasket.

 

[johncook530]

oh boy. yeah, it was definitely greenish in nature. based on the manual, it looks like the engine has to be removed in order for this to be fixed, then the cost of the gasket and so forth. i think this is well beyond my skill level, and i wont be able to pay somebody to do it. and unfortunately, i don't have shop or somewhere to be able to take this apart.

bummer. i just got it insured today. at least i can cancel the insurance and save that money. looks like i might be getting rid of a bike. if anyone has any advice...I would really appreciate it. as you can imagine, i was imagining riding it.

last question: if it ran two weeks ago and didn't appear to have any problems, how could it have gone bad that quickly? and what causes this?





john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[ryzenshyne]

Well if it sat a long time and you got it running and overheated the engine the gasket just gave way. I'd say it would be worth fixing it. Get a manual and give it a go!

How many miles are on it? Is the bike in good cosmetic shape?

 

[ryzenshyne]

Does the oil look like chocolate milk? Also are you sure you turn the gas on? Is the bike getting gas?

I had a shadow like yours. If you didn't get the air out of the system. You would run it and as it got hot coolant would back up in to the over flow tank all over the ground. So the trick was to fill up the radiator. ..start the bike and Rev it up...keep filling her up till it over flowed from the rad. Cap it up and ride it until the thermostat opened up. If there was coolant on the overflow It would be sucked in and eliminate the air pocket. Then once the bike was cooled down I'd fill the over flow to the correct level and all was good until the next time it needed changing.

 

[johncook530]

the odometer says just under 26k, but i don't know if it hasrolled over..it's an 87.

i can't get it to crank, at all. it tries, but won't. could a blown head gasket cause that?


john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[swifty2014]

If it has coolant in the cylinder it will not compress like air can. It is call a hydraulic lock and the piston is up a against a solid even thought it is a liquid.

 

[swifty2014]

Take the spark plugs out and see if it will crank= but Stand Back because coolant will come out of there and shoot 20 feet. Then you will know which cylinder is filled with coolant.

 

[Eagle7840]

Make sure your battery is fully charged, sounds like you drained it by trying to start it too many times. Then follow the members advices to determine if you a have a bad head gasket.

 

[TenDollarBill]

If you change the head gasket, change 'me both.

 

[johncook530]

it looks like the clymer manual doesn't show how to replace the head gaskets. it shows a bunch of other stuff. how does one do this?

i'm gonna have to find a place that has shelter to do this. my driveway probably isn't a good place for parts to be lying around.




john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[johncook530]

if it is my gaskets, this looks like it is a set of all gaskets for my engine. is this what i need?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/83-89-HONDA-VT700-C-SHADOW-ENGINE-GASKET-SET-NEW-CI-850754-/141629867726



john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[swifty2014]

that gasket kit looks like it should be all you need but better have a manual for all the specs!
Pull the engine and all the cylinder related stuff, no need to split the cases at the point.

 

[johncook530]

yeah....it's the gasket. took the spark plug out and there was liquid still sitting on the plug itself. didn't even try to crank it, based on that.

bummer. outta curiosity, if I could dedicate the time, how long would this take, roughly? an entire day?


john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[swifty2014]

I would say if your are being careful and observe all the specs and torques it will take a few days, especially since you have to pull the engine out.
If you have done it before, it could go like clockwork, but for the first time I know it would be a slow and careful process for me.
And do you have the tools?
Torque wrench, piston ring compressor, cleaning tools, sockets, wrenches ?
Have to plan ahead.

Here is where you can find the factory manual and study the procedure=

http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/72-technical-discussion/122857-honda-service-manuals.html

 

[johncook530]

I would say if your are being careful and observe all the specs and torques it will take a few days, especially since you have to pull the engine out.
If you have done it before, it could go like clockwork, but for the first time I know it would be a slow and careful process for me.
And do you have the tools?
Torque wrench, piston ring compressor, cleaning tools, sockets, wrenches ?
Have to plan ahead.

Here is where you can find the factory manual and study the procedure=

http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/72-technical-discussion/122857-honda-service-manuals.html

i have the last two things, but not the first three. i have never done something like this on anything ever. changed oil on cars and bikes, swapped out fluid on other things. the carb on this was the first major thing, and it took me from october til now to get all that settled. i read over the clymer manual and, based on how long it took me to do the carb, and the work involved in this, i don't know that I can do it. also, I don't have all the tools needed, a shop to do everything in and the time (i was having to do this stuff an hour at a time about once a month, when my kids slept). given everything involved and such, i'm thinking i might be better off trying to sell it for a reasonable amount. i believe once the gasket is fixed, it would run fine. someone more experienced than myself could probably get some awesome use out of it. maybe i can use the money i get to saved up for something else.

swifty, based on what you know about this bike, what do you think is reasonable asking for it? the title is clean.


john

1987 honda shadow vt 700

 

[ShadowCruiser]

Sorry to hear about your bike johncook530. I too also have to work on my bike in the driveway. I am not fortunate enough to have the luxury of a garage. If I had a garage, I would be way more adventurous working on my bike. But like you, I have to factor in the weather. Here in Canada, weather can be anything. At least you have done something on your bike that I haven't. I need to clean my carbs. Hearing about all the various parts in these things makes me nervous as there is so much that can go wrong. Too bad there wasn't a fellow biker near you that was interested in helping you through this. That would be an amazing way to learn everything about your bike quickly.

Whatever you decide, hopefully things turn out well for you.

2001 Honda Shadow 750 ACE :35100 miles

 

[TylerLew89]

John where do you live? If it's nearby I can help.

In my opinion you can't sell for too much. 1987 motorcycle with busted head gasket? I'd say $750 at most if you're lucky...depends on the condition of the rest of the bike. Most likely 500. Think that some one has to take a gamble, do all the work, and pay dmv fees all for an almost30 year old bike.

Good luck

 

[chuck12563]

Here's my 2 cents:
You have overheated the engine by prolonged idling.
At the least you've blown one or both head gaskets.
That the worst you've cracked one of the cylinders or warped a head.
In any case you will have to remove the engine to see what's up.

Buy that gasket set.
Go ahead and pull the engine.
Pull the heads and see what the damage is.
Take this as an opportunity to clean out the cooling passages in the cylinders.
Install new gaskets and reinstall engine.
If it runs, then you have yourself a working bike.
If it doesn't run, part the bike out.
You are in possession of some very hard to find parts and the bike is probably worth more in pieces than as a non-running whole. You may be able to get all of your investment back plus some and be able to buy a better bike.
Good luck!

 

[johncook530]

John where do you live? If it's nearby I can help.

In my opinion you can't sell for too much. 1987 motorcycle with busted head gasket? I'd say $750 at most if you're lucky...depends on the condition of the rest of the bike. Most likely 500. Think that some one has to take a gamble, do all the work, and pay dmv fees all for an almost30 year old bike.

Good luck

i live in walnut ridge ar. about 30 minutes north of jonesboro.


john

1987 honda shadow vt 700