Dirt bikes and ATVs use a variety of gaskets that human action as a barrier to outside contaminants and every bit a lock to keep operating fluids inside a sealed compartment.

Gasket apply ranges from the crankcase to the frazzle system and many parts in between. Manufacturers use a wide range of material to make gaskets including rubber, steel and newspaper. Generally, yous cannot reuse a gasket and well-nigh often when pulling autonomously sections using a gasket, the gasket has baked on and comes off in pieces oftentimes leaving behind bits stuck to the separated housing.

Prior to applying a fresh gasket, you need a clean canvas, so to speak, so don't expect the new gasket to perform well if crumbs from the old one remain. If you have ever left nutrient in a frying pan besides long you know the effort, and overall pain, it takes to completely remove the burned morsels from the surface.

When performing a acme end or total engine rebuild on a dirt bike or ATV yous need to replace more than than a dozen gaskets, just an thought of the number of gaskets that help concur things together. O-band type gaskets every bit well as some made of safety and tin can covered in paper come up off quite easily and can even be reused several times. Manufacturers of these thicker gaskets make it clear whether you can reuse them. Nevertheless, if these gaskets do not release cleanly so you demand to replace them.

Overall, use most gaskets fabricated of steel, synthetic cobweb blend and rubber once. Since these gaskets often bake on to the surface anyway, becoming useless one time you lot pull the accompanying housing autonomously, you won't need to second gauge.

Clean parts free of old gasket residue

How To Remove Erstwhile Gasket

Thankfully, y'all don't demand to let a broiled on gasket soak in a sink full of soapy water nor do you lot need to scrape and scrape with picayune gains to show. Don't await an like shooting fish in a barrel-off routine only a number of methods exist that allow you to completely rid a casing of any gasket residue to ensure the fresh gasket works equally planned.

Scraper and Razor

Well-nigh gaskets lay flush meaning the contact surface is apartment. Using a scraper like a pigment spatula to remove thicker chunks then a razor blade to remove finer pieces works best. Don't worry almost fine scratches to the finish merely do take some caution while using both tools, if not for y'all. Sentinel those fingers!

These products work best, not just because we sell them, merely because they are designed for the purpose of removing gaskets:

  • Motion Pro Gasket Scraper Tool
  • Performance Tool Extended Razor
  • Functioning Tool Mini Razor Scraper

Do avoid gauging or marring the surface to preclude the demand for resurfacing. Regardless, bank check crank case half cylinder surfaces and head surfaces prior to putting back together with a straight-edge and feeler gauge set up. If untrue, you need to have them resurface probably at a automobile shop.

This BikeMaster Scraper Set works well on frail surfaces as noted in a higher place.

Scotch Brite Pads

Scotch Brite pads come in several grits for working on delicate surfaces.

Contact Cleaner

Using contact cleaner, acetone or even brake cleaner helps loosen stubborn baked on pieces of gasket. Tear abroad thicker portions of one-time gasket first which, when ripped off, allows the cleaner to permeate the hardened stuff stuck to the housing. Let the cleaner penetrate for a minute or ii then commence scraping. A wire brush works well in this instance.

Permatex Gasket Remover

New on the scene and a rapidly popular product comes from Permatex. You'll dearest the foaming activity of the gasket remover and information technology quickly dissolves remaining gasket stuck to the surface of the casing. Even if unnecessary, we like adding Permatex gasket remover to fully clean and set the surface for the new gasket. Don't carp using Permatex gasket remover on silicone gaskets because it's non stiff enough.

Gasket Sealant

Some gaskets require the use of extra sealant though most install dry. Extra sealant adds to the blistering on outcome and the contact cleaner and Permatex dissolves this gunk rather quickly.

Consult the possessor's manual of the make and model clay bike or ATV yous have to empathize where to utilize sealant. Some models require sealant for a specific gasket that another model recommends installing dry. As a general rule well-nigh creepo cases, with metal to metal contact, utilise sealant. For other areas recommending sealant, information technology may but require a small-scale dab in the corners as a mode to hold the gasket in place.

New model bikes utilise O-rings often constitute on the water pump and outer clutch embrace. Apply a slight amount of waterproof grease to keep these rings in place during install.

When using sealant on a gasket keep in heed the type of sealant used. For example, don't use the common Bluish RTV sealant on creepo case surfaces, instead utilize ThreeBond 1215. The owner'southward transmission provides specifics.

No Gasket Required

In some instances, you use sealant instead of a gasket. In these circumstances utilise a quick-setting sealant similar ThreeBond Fast-Set High Functioning Gasket Maker which allows y'all to ride immediately afterward application instead of waiting on a cure fourth dimension. You tin can also find similar OEM quick setting sealant.

Any fourth dimension you detach the crank case or other engine parts, wait to rip away a gasket. Acme and bottom end kits always come with the appropriate replacement gaskets but when performing any blazon of piece of work that unseals one role or section of clay bike or ATV from another, double check the need for a replacement gasket then you don't end upward stuck midway through a chore.