• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

removing the valve cover

jonr

jonr

Forum Mentor
TGSR Superstar
Well, I'm searching the website o' great wisdom and wanted to know if anyone has any tips on removing the valve cover bolts on my gs1100g. Just twist off slow? Impact driver?

I entered endless search combinations using the GSR's search feature and came up with mostly leak issues. Anybody have any advice on this one? After I get it off, it's time to check the valve clearences too...

thanks-
J
 
Removing Bolts?

Removing Bolts?

Don't know why removing the bolts would be a problem. Valve cover bolts are just ordinary bolts. 10MM wrench if I recall correctly.

Now I wouldn't be surprised if you had some trouble removing the cover after they're all out. If the cover is stuck I usually use try a couple of taps with a rubber mallet.
 
They should twist right off with your metric wrench unless they are heavily corroded. If that's the case I would squirt some penetrating oil on them the day before. You really shouldn't need an impact driver as they shouldn't be torqued down too much to begin with. The real trick to getting the cover off is the damn paper/glue gasket will not come apart without drastic measures. I had to resort to tapping a thin metal spatula into the corners to help it break loose. Again, penetrating oil may help soften it up from the outside. Once you do get them apart you will want to have a rag handy to stuff down the timing chain channel in order to keep crap from getting down there. Then comes the fun part of cleaning the surfaces for the new gasket. I strongly recommend you go with a silicone rubber gasket which is not only reusable but is also seals better and doesn't make a mess when you take the cover off (try www.realgaskets.com).
 
Those bolts shouldn't be tight enough that you need an impact driver. I would avoid that. The right socket and a decent ratchet and you should be O.K. Check your torque specs when you put it back on make sure you start at the center and work your way out. They don't need to be super tight.
 
Thanks for the advice all. I've got my trusty dead blow mallet handy as well as a can of gasket remover. The torque wrench is ice cold and ready to wrench them back in too.

I've already bought the factory gasket from Suzuki, so if it goes south, I'll invest in the silicone one next time.

I originally posted this in part because I've heard of people breaking off the bolts for the cover and I wondered if there was anything sneaky (besides normal corrosion) about it.

-J
 
Main thing is don't use that 1/2" drive socket set Use a 1/4" set if you have it ONLY torque to 6-7 ft lbs & use some anti seize on the threads, make sure you didn't get any gasket scrapings in the thread holes. Use a very small dab of silicon on the bottom of the 1/2 moon caps.
MAKE SURE all of the old gasket is removed IF NOT you will break the cover when you reinstall it.
 
Another thought MAKE sure their is no oil in the bolt holes
 
Re: removing the valve cover

jonr said:
Well, I'm searching the website o' great wisdom and wanted to know if anyone has any tips on removing the valve cover bolts on my gs1100g. Just twist off slow? Impact driver?

I entered endless search combinations using the GSR's search feature and came up with mostly leak issues. Anybody have any advice on this one? After I get it off, it's time to check the valve clearences too...

thanks-
J
Click to expand...

The bolt threads somehow ingest moisture (I don't know how) and rust up. I just removed my valve cover to chage the leaking gasket. Severall bolts gave me a REAL hard time coming out. I ended up snapping one bolt right near the breather cap, now the whole engine has to come out to repair the broken bolt. Spray some PB Blaster around the bolts you think are seized, and let them sit for a few days, hopefull they will come loose. Good luck,
Rich
 
Lynn,

Thanks for the installation tips. Do you just mean silicone RTV (automotive) for the end caps or actual clear silicone (household)? I've found that pencil erasers work well for keeping small bolt holes covered up when necessary. I don't have a 1/4" torque wrench, but I think the auto parts store loans them out with a deposit.

Rich,

I do have some PB blaster and will use it. I had bought it when I was trying to take the exhaust bolts out of my 750 (broke 4) and I also found out that it miraculously eats up corrosion off of electrical connections. When I rented a trailer from UHaul one time, the guy sprayed it on my trailer light harness and the green flakey you-know-what ran right off. It must be really basic in pH or something.

-Jon
 
Just a very small drop of RTV, you don't need a torque wrench Just finger tight & 1/8 turn You get the feel for it after a while. Pencil erasers is NOT a good idea. Too easy to fall into the engine What works is a short blast of air, or even a blast of canned air (computer)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
Valve Cover Gasket
Replies
6
Views
239
Who Dat?
W
P
Where to get OEM valve cover gasket
Replies
3
Views
150
chuck hahn
chuck hahn
S
Grime in Valve Cover
2
Replies
35
Views
575
rphillips
R
Rich82GS750TZ
Valve Stem Seals, or maybe throw in the towel
8 9 10
Replies
187
Views
4K
93Bandit
93Bandit
S
A one year rider and a 46 year old sport touring motorcycle - 1979 GS850
2
Replies
26
Views
583
GS1000S
GS1000S
Back
Top