Fzs600 h gasket

[Rob silver]

Good afternoon 
Few months ago I bought a 1999 fzs600 was fine. Now I seem to be loosing water. Done the obvious external checks. Now I took a plug out and there was water on it so thinking the head gasket which I will do, but for now was wondering if anyone has used the head gasket sealer which goes into the radiator. Just as a temporary measure.
Look forward to your reply’s.

[BBROWN1664]

dont do that -- first its a real bodge and second it block other waterways

failing head gaskets are not common on these bikes though unless theres another cause

[Rob silver]

Not to sure on what other causes it could be. With water being on the tip of the spark plug

[agricola]

Not to sure on what other causes it could be. With water being on the tip of the spark plug

Check your oil level and condition. If water is leaking into the oil, the level will go up and the oil will turn into an emulsion

[darrsi]

Not to sure on what other causes it could be. With water being on the tip of the spark plug

Mate of mine had a 600 years ago and rode from an army base in Germany to his home in Kent in appalling weather conditions. He was asking me why it might be running rough, as he was fairly new to biking anyway, and when he finally decided to take it to a mechanic they found about a litre of water in his fuel tank due to a leaking fuel cap seal.
Still amazes me how he travelled so far but presumably the motorway riding and higher revs would've helped disguise it a lot, although it may have leaked even more when he parked it up back at home.

Another reason might be a leak into the spark plug from washing the bike, primarily using a hose. If spark plug seals are knackered, or the plugs are cross threaded, a burst of heavy water could possibly get into places where water doesn't belong. I'd make sure the water drainage holes on the fins around the plugs are not blocked too, otherwise water could sit on top of a plug possibly causing rust and other forms of nastiness.
I don't even touch my bike with a hose any more, especially around the engine area, as i've had starting issues before after drenching the bike with a hose, and a long time ago i used an electric jet wash on it and it took a load of engine paint off forcing me to get a respray done, which actually turned out quite well so it wasn't all bad news.

[Gnasher]

Not to sure on what other causes it could be. With water being on the tip of the spark plug

As mentioned its extremely rare that 600 Fazers blow their head gaskets.  The plug recesses (holes) on the Fazer are deep and they have a small drain hole/gully that joins them, the exit of which is between the 3rd fin from the top, centre.  Often has rusty water/deposits in the holes and gullies between the cylinders get blocked very easily.  This allows plug recesses to get filled with water and crud, this could be why your plugs were wet.  You should always ensure these holes/gullies are clear, good poke with a long thinish screwdriver and a airline down each plug recess, before you remove the plug/s.  All this crud/grit and water will drop into the cylinder/s once the plug/s are removed and can cause real issues.  

If the head gasket is blown the oil filler cap would be covered in mayo looking crap, oil sight glass would be the same and the expatiation tank would stink of fumes, if you've got none of them, it' unlikely to be a head gasket issue.  

The culprits are more than likely the metal coolant pipe link union at the front of the engine left hand side, oil cooler the oil filter screws into it or any of the unions in the cooling system.  You also need to check under the tank around the thermostat housing, the carb heater system especially the little elbows on each carb body and the rad.  Carb heater and Rad leaks can be tiny and hard to spot, you may need to add some UV die into the system, this will also help you find leaks as mentioned above.

[Rob silver]

Thank you very much for the useful information. I will have another look over the weekend.
Thanks again ?