Head gaskets?

[projek701]

Hi guys, question about reliability regards to head gaskets on the 401 from 2019 - My wife acquired a KTM RC390 recently as a project. It has a bad top end so were going to sort it out and was doing some research, I saw that KTM updated their head and gasket in 2019, is backwards compatible and is also compatible with the 401 - im guessing due to the head gasket issues the RC390 was plagued with they redesigned it for 2019 - wondering if any of you 401 owners have had any issues with head gaskets from 2019? Havent seen any in searches but thought id ask. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Kriden]

Sorry, can't answer your specific question directly, but I can say I am having issues with my new 2022 Svartpilen 401. 1 mile on odd- road it home, right side clutch cover covered in oil- dripping in to wind stream and splashing along the back end. Checked oil- rode back to dealer- they confirmed that there was NO gasket use during assembly for clutch cover! They had the part and replaced. But now I am still getting tops of oil from heat/skid plate underneath. Blow out area and flushed with cleaner- and repeated. Still having slight drip after only 10 min ride. Working with dealer now on possible issue(s). VERY rare for this engine- but I fear I got the one bad apple in the bunch.

 

[projek701]

Thanks for the response, I am sorry to hear this. Careful with the oil getting on the rear tire at lean. Hope they resolve this soon!!

 

[Kriden]

I was able to remove and inspect the heat shield. To my amazement (and delight) there is a honeycomb of hard plastic inside…a perfect place to “hold” onto oil that fell into it when they removed the clutch cover.

Leaving it off for a couple of (careful) rides to make sure there is truly no leaks from engine.

Thanks for the moral support- stay tuned.

 

[Kriden]

Last update...whew! Removed the honeycomb from the shield- more oil "residue". Sprayed down and wiped dry, did another spray-out of the honeycombs. Took a 15 mile ride ( the min time needed to see the "leak") with shield off...happy to report- no runs, no drips, no errors. Whew! 120 miles on odometer...NOW the fun can start.

 

[Dr.Shifty]

I'm glad that all worked out OK for you. And thanks for posting the details here.