GS850G lower gasket between jug and crankcase

[Bob Shaw]

Hi,
I'm doing valves and rings on my 82 GS850g. I have the jugs off and there appears to be a gasket on the bottom portion of the jug. However this gasket is on so well I'm having an extremely difficult time removing it. Is this normal? I hope I haven't screwed up. Any help appreciated..

[Brendan W]

Normal yes. The bottom gasket gets well and truly stuck and takes patience and care to avoid gouging the surface. Solvent helps sometimes depending on the gasket.
Consensus is the oem is the surest replacement. That said I fitted a NE brand last year with no issues.

[Nessism]

If you can find some Permatex gasket remover it helps. Spray it into a cup and use an acid brush to apply it. You gotta let it work for about 1/2 hour before you try to scrap and it will take several applications before the job is done. Only thing though is that the "low VOC" formula gasket remover SUCKS and doesn't work. You need the regular stuff. Some aircraft type paint stripper, the type that requires mineral spirits to remove, works reasonably well, but not as good as the gasket remover. Just hope you can find some of the good stuff.

Edit: did a google search and it seems there are various brands of gasket remover. CRS makes some and they typically make good stuff.

[Bob Shaw]

Thank you,
I'll search out the Permatex and try for the good stuff. I just glad I didn't screw up..

[Bob Shaw]

I tried the Parmatex with no luck. Then I tried a carb and choke cleaner from Berrymman- B-12 Chemtool Professional. Itseems to work fairly well. Thanks for all your help....

[Brendan W]

I did consider asking a paleontology forum
Had varied success with nail varnish remover, mek, whatever is on the shelf until I find something or combination of things that wets it.

[Chip]

As a retired Toyota mechanic I have removed many gaskets from aluminum. The best thing to use is razor blade in a long handled sticker scrapper. Just take care not to nick the sealing surface. Just take your time.

[roeme]

(...)The best thing to use is razor blade in a long handled sticker scrapper. Just take care not to nick the sealing surface. Just take your time.

Did a similar thing; used a small office cutter knife: https://www.amazon.com/NT-Cutter-Aut.../dp/B001MT8PR8

[alke46]

Maybe this is too late for the OP, but if the gasket is stuck to the bottom of the barrel, couldn't you just soak the whole thing in a pan with some kind of varnish remover? I'm just thinking maybe sit it on something like some nuts just enough to keep it off the bottom of the pan. That way it could work better as a soak. Overnight should loosen it up nicely.

[chuck hahn]

I heat the gasket up with a propane torch and use a thin chisel. Stuff rags all around the rods so crap doesnt fall in and they give up like cornered criminals.

[alke46]

I heat the gasket up with a propane torch and use a thin chisel. Stuff rags all around the rods so crap doesnt fall in and they give up like cornered criminals.

That's funny. I like what you do with your vocabulary Chuck.

[Brendan W]

I heat the gasket up with a propane torch and use a thin chisel. Stuff rags all around the rods so crap doesnt fall in and they give up like cornered criminals.

Think I'll give that a miss. Thoughts of reading them their rights and all that paperwork..............

[limeex2]

I heat the gasket up with a propane torch and use a thin chisel. Stuff rags all around the rods so crap doesnt fall in and they give up like cornered criminals.

Use the chisel "upside down" like you do when using it on wood. Less apt to dig into gasket surface. Our tech's used to use muriatic acid and a q-tip, but be very careful with that method as acid and aluminum is not a good mix when used improperly.