Rocker arm cover oil leak

S

stu

Joined Nov 2006

2 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 14, 2006

• #1

I've got a persistent oil leak from the rocker arm cover/cylinder head joint on my '02 fe400, it looks to be at the left front corner, the side with the 'o'ring seals for the cam blanking cap.
I know this is a metal to metal joint, but I tried using a thin loctite bearing sealer liquid to stop this leak with no joy!
Does anyone know of anything that works on this joint.When I first opened the joint up there was a very thin brown "lacquer" type of film on the surfaces?
I'm pretty sure its not coming from the 'o'rings.

 

L

LeFrog

Joined Mar 2005

3K Posts | 3+

Mesa, AZ

• Nov 14, 2006

• #2

Ah! I am not the only one, I see. Same exact problem, same exact spot.

I thought about having a gasket made but the camshaft plug (or blanking cap as you call it) would prevent it.

From talking to Berger the other day, the problem seems to be with the upper part of the cylinder head, which should be ground with some sort of fine glass paper. That's what Taffy has in his doc as well.

Otherwise, overtorquing (bad idea, you don't want to break a bolt), or adding a liberal amount of sealant does not do any good, it barely fights the issue.

The loss of oil is not dramatic but your bike looks dirty and is a pain to clean up.

 

L

logjump

Joined Jun 2001

1K Posts | 10+

Troutdale, Oregon USA 2005 FE550e

• Nov 14, 2006

• #3

My friend and mechanic, BOSS, turned me on to a product made by Wurth. It is basically RTV black silicone in a presurized can. It works excellent!

BTW, hope you didn't lose the itty bitty o-ring that goes between the rocker cover and head.

Here's a link to Wurth products.
http://www.wurthusa.com/project/en/topnavi/home/startpage_1.html

Log

 

B

buckwheat5679

Joined Oct 2005

74 Posts | 0+

• Nov 14, 2006

• #4

Welcome Stu,
Logjump is sending you down the right path.

I've have used Loctite and ThreeBond also with only fair results. Now I use a similair product that Logjump uses made by Chemsearch (probably comes out of the same factory) that has worked great.
Just use some Brakeclean to clean the surfaces before you apply the RTV, and once bolted up let it sit overnight and you should be good to go.

 

L

LeFrog

Joined Mar 2005

3K Posts | 3+

Mesa, AZ

• Nov 14, 2006

• #5

Logjump, could you read the part number off of your can?

Do you see it here?

Is this the one?

Thanks, I wished I had this info when I tried to fix this issue last year. Also do you guys think it could be used on the left side cover? (Not the same as clutch cover)

 

B

buckwheat5679

Joined Oct 2005

74 Posts | 0+

• Nov 14, 2006

• #6

I have never had a problem with the left cover sealing just using the stock gasket. I don't know that if you removed the gasket if you would end up with a clearance problem with the water pump impeller. :?

Here is a link to Chemsearch. I use the Muilti Mist Gasket Maker Red.
http://www.chemsearch.com/

 

L

logjump

Joined Jun 2001

1K Posts | 10+

Troutdale, Oregon USA 2005 FE550e

• Nov 14, 2006

• #7

LeFrog said:

Logjump, could you read the part number off of your can?

Is this the one?

Thanks, I wished I had this info when I tried to fix this issue last year. Also do you guys think it could be used on the left side cover? (Not the same as clutch cover)

Click to expand...

LeFrog,
I can't see a part # on the can but I'm sure it is #0890913 from the link. If by " left side cover" you are refering to the cam cover with the two o-rings, I'm sure there is no problem with putting some sealant at that junction as well. It's great sealant and cleans up very easily. I have used this product on the clutch cover gasket of my 02 501 back near the kickstart lever with great success as well.

Hope this helps,
Logjump

 

L

LeFrog

Joined Mar 2005

3K Posts | 3+

Mesa, AZ

• Nov 14, 2006

• #8

Nah the left side cover is the cover on the left side of the motorcycle, which doubles as a clutch cover on the 01.

I wonder if it could be used for that purpose as well....

Also where does one buy Wurth products? Their online store requires a login that you only get by calling their help desk, I fear that they only sell to shops.

Thanks for the info!

EDIT:

So far I found this: http://www.focussport.com/wurth.htm

Scroll down to RTV silicone. Same price as Threebond 1211.

 

L

logjump

Joined Jun 2001

1K Posts | 10+

Troutdale, Oregon USA 2005 FE550e

• Nov 14, 2006

• #9

Call BOSS and have him send you a can (if it won't go BOOM in a plane).

Logjump

 

B

BOSS

Joined Feb 2005

779 Posts | 0+

Portland, OR 97216

• Nov 14, 2006

• #10

leaking

LeFrog you are very cunning,but i have a can for you!!

 

B

BOSS

Joined Feb 2005

779 Posts | 0+

Portland, OR 97216

• Nov 14, 2006

• #11

better yet!!

LeFrog,Better yet there's no leak's on any armament that leaves!!The Boss!!

Or your money back!!! As seen on TV!

 

whosahberg

Joined Dec 2005

1K Posts | 0+

australia

• Nov 15, 2006

• #12

wurth stopped my rocker cover leaking when nothing else could .

 

L

LeFrog

Joined Mar 2005

3K Posts | 3+

Mesa, AZ

• Nov 15, 2006

• #13

Is this the best Web site or what? (Did I say that already?)

Boss I'll call you!

 

S

stu

Joined Nov 2006

2 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Nov 18, 2006

• #14

Thanks for the info fella's, I'd already tried an old tube of silicone sealant which failed to set up, before resorting to the only other sealant i could find in my garage,which was really a bearing retainer, but it was worth a shot!
I'll get some of the Wurth rtv.

stu