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Valve cover leak-what do you use?

S

surferguy80

Joined Feb 2004
128 Posts | 0+
USA
what do you guys put between the valve covers and the head to stop leaking?

i was advised to just not put anything there cause since you go in and out of the area so much u dont need to hastle with it, so i tried it and the berg is weekping oil pretty bad from both covers...have you guys made gaskets to put in there w/out adhesive, or do you just use the plain adhesive with no gasket....right now ive just got metal on metal, no gasket no adhesive....what say the masses?
 
valve cover sealant

Hi, surferguy80...
I use Permatex #2 Formagasket sealant, a non-hardening sealant. Have also used Permatex Aviation Formagasket. Make sure all residue from old sealant and gaskets is removed, and make sure valve cover and mating surface are flat. The sealant works fine, no leaks or weeps, gaskets usually stay whole when removing for adjustments, and reseal with a light coat with no leaks. One of the guys had a problem with the cover and its mating surface on the camshaft cover not being flat, so if nothing seems to seal the valve cover, that may be the problem.
Gary, in Maine
 
im gunna try making a gasket and put a dab of sealant on it (non hardening)

that should do it...the argument was that its so messy, and u have to do it so much etc etc its not worth the hastle, so well see how this works...
 
The comment regarding the cover not being flat is worth looking at. Get a piece of fine sand paper and lay it on a flat surface with the grit side facing up. Then rub your valve inspection cover across it a few times.

The chances are you will see that the inspection cover isn't flat. Keep rubbing the cover until the surface is flat.
Personally I just use a gasket.
 
im betting that since it was metal on metal w/a but of leftover gasket sealent on it, that was the problem...now ive made a gasket and put em in though, ill go test them out tonight
 
I use the standard paper gaskets I picked up from Dan at Motoxotica and a light smeer of High temp RTV and have had only light oil film in the head area. I have used these gaskets no less than 5 times before having to replace. If you are carefull removing the covers you should get at least 3-5 uses before needing replacement. I also did the valve cover truing on a piece of sand paper and sharpening stone. I would recommend truing up the valve cover mating port in the same fashion when the head is removed for a tight flat surface. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Sandskipper
 
Twistie's idea works well. Years ago I saw my my old man get the head of a six cylinder landrover flat using emery paper on plate glass!
 
I grinded(fine sandpaper and don't use some machinery) the covers a little in the middle, making the cover a bit hollow so to say. This way you have more pressure on the outsides and enough pressure where the little bolts are. Then put 0,8mm gasket between and it has worked ok so far. You don't need to grind it down a lot, I though I had 0,15mm(at the deepest point) and do it gradually along the front and rear only.
 
well, after a few days, the leak is still there, every time i stop and leave the bike alone for a little bit a few drops of oil appear beneth her :(

so ill try sanding down the covers...is 800 grit ok?
 
surfer me old fruit gum. look at the sheet you asked ME to send you and in it you will see exactly how the great and the good do it.

Taffy
 
Surfer,
Are you absolutely sure the leak originates at your valve inspection covers and not possibly the,,,,

A. Rockerarm cover
B. Crankcase breather hose
C. Crankcase breather hose sleeve (piece that screws into rockerarm cover and lower breather hose slips over)



Just a few other possible culprits.

Log
 
threebond 1104 on both sides of the gasket for me. doesnt come apart, but doesnt leak either.
 
well it only leask on the forn and back sides of the engine, and there is oil righ ton the botom of the rad where the fornt valve cover is, and oil rests in the little cradle that the oil filter lump lies in...not on the sides, exactly where the valve covers are...

the breather is fine, i checked it, its dry as a bone...its the covers :oops:

i DID take the rockerarm cover off not long ago,but i did a nice job of sealing it all up, and the leaks all start above that intersection
 

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