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Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2022 7:09 pm
by zage
So I did something dumb. Before I installed my Contessa on my 2001 Elite SR, I definitely bent and probably creased the base gasket a little bit. I pressed it flat best I could, and I've been riding on it for about 200 miles. It runs pretty good, but I think that base gasket is leaking based off how it sounds/idles. Looking at replacements, I don't really want to drop $20+ on one from ScooterSwapShop
here, and I found some Corsa ones for half the price
here, but this is pretty obviously a different shape/porting. My question is, on the Contessa, do I need to order the Polini-specific base gasket, or will a stock gasket work fine? If I do, would there be any downsides to the Corsa one linked above? Cheers!
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:22 am
by bonesv
Just buy a new one - they got em for $10 right?
but always check for leaks. Maybe your jetting is just off? Or there’s a leak somewhere else
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:51 am
by burnt_toast
buy the one in 2nd link, thats the correct one for contessa or corsa, anyway.
1st one is for big boost taiwan/china kits, dont need it.
oem stock gasket wont fit up quite right, but you can trim it up to match contessa base and use in a pinch, if avail.
agree with bonesv, check for other leaks. i would suspect at exhaust gasket perhaps. take shrouds off and spray soapy water at cyl base on cold startup. will rule out base gasket leak or confirm
cheers
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 3:05 pm
by zage
bonesv wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 12:22 am
Just buy a new one - they got em for $10 right?
but always check for leaks. Maybe your jetting is just off? Or there’s a leak somewhere else
I'm pretty sure my jetting is right, I went up to a 90 for the break-in period and just took it down to an 88 based on the plug, which I think is about right for stock airbox, carb, and exhaust on a kit like this. It doesn't really sound like an exhaust leak, sorta almost sounds like misfiring, but the only other area I suspect a leak is around the reed block and I'm gonna end up replacing that gasket as well to be safe.
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 3:11 pm
by zage
burnt_toast wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:51 am
agree with bonesv, check for other leaks. i would suspect at exhaust gasket perhaps. take shrouds off and spray soapy water at cyl base on cold startup. will rule out base gasket leak or confirm
I'll definitely try this. At the cylinder base though, is there usually a negative or positive pressure gradient? Like if the base gasket IS leaking, would it be sucking unwanted air in or blowing the mixture out? I guess it's just deciding between soapy water or starting fluid
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:36 pm
by motormike
zage wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 3:11 pm
i'll definitely try this. At the cylinder base though, is there usually a negative or positive pressure gradient? Like if the base gasket IS leaking, would it be sucking unwanted air in or blowing the mixture out? I guess it's just deciding between soapy water or starting fluid
I can't say positively, but common sense tells me it will do both, blow, suck, blow...etc
Re: Polini Contessa BBK Base Gasket Replacement
Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:26 pm
by zage
motormike wrote: ↑Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:36 pm
I can't say positively, but common sense tells me it will do both, blow, suck, blow...etc
Sounds like a good time! I’ll check it out next chance I get
but always check for leaks. Maybe your jetting is just off? Or there’s a leak somewhere else