softening gaskets for removal

[johannpaint]

Anyone have any quick tips for softening intake gaskets at the reeds and oil pump for simple removal? Beside careful scraping with a chisel or razorblade?

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Try any Autoparts store. Ask for Gasket Remover. Comes in a spray can or paint-on. Be careful where you apply.

[johannpaint]

Thanks!

[po89mm]

Greetings:

Try any Autoparts store. Ask for Gasket Remover. Comes in a spray can or paint-on. Be careful where you apply.

ive used that stuff on 4 stroke engines, its pretty much worthless IMO

might work better on thinner gaskets though

[johannpaint]

That same day I picked up a can of Permatex spray Gasket Remover. Liberally soaked the parts until the next morning. Used a chisel and a five-in-one tool to remove most of the gaskets, another quick spray followed by a cleaning with small brass bristle brush and toothbrush. Rinse in water, dry. Worked great! Just takes time and a little patience. And about $5.98

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

As with many things, time is a key factor. Solvents need time to work. Often several applications are necessary. If you don't time/patience, gasket remover doesn't help much. If you do, it makes the removal job considerably easier, AND less risky to critical true surfaces. Consider the damage you can do to aluminum mating surfaces with a carelessly-applied steel scraper.

Same goes for carb soaking, by the way. I've read Forum instructions to soak a carb for "about an hour". In my case the 7-years' worth of residue known as The Beast would just laugh. It took nearly a week's worth of dunking in the Dip to get the job done. But I didn't need to gouge stuff out with wires and other risky measures.

[scooterwerx]

there are plastic razor blades for this very purpose, too. paint store or any good hardware store should have em. they fit into a regular gasket scraper that would use a regular steel razor blade, they just wont scar delicate parts!

[Arnadanoob]

Removing hard gaskets are all about time-soaks, gasket removal sprays need a lot of time to soak in and break the gasket material up. This is like trying to remove tough starch stains off cookware, if you scrub it too soon you'll only run into a tough fight, but if you leave it soaking in hot/warm soapy water, it'll eventually be easier to deal with.