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Valve cover leaks

  • Thread starter Thread starter evan132
  • Start date Start date
E

evan132

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So... I'm having a hell of a time getting my valve cover to seal. I have cleaned the surfaces and used OEM gaskets, but time and time again, it starts to leak. The cover is pretty flat and I have tried all sorts of torque ( Don't worry not to tight!) and it just won't seal. Now I now everyone's take on using rtv around here and I'm with you, but it just so happens that I have a full tube of hondabond lying around the garage. From what I've heard, this stuff is very good and comes off in one piece when you want to take the cover off. Has anybody had any experiences with the stuff? I would just be putting a thin line on each side of the gasket to help it seal. Would that small a difference in thickness hurt the tach gears at all? Thanks

I'm very done with oil getting all over my headers and engine:)
 
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dorkburger said:
i think that the valve cover was the only thing that DIDN'T leak on my 83 1100.
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I think most of my leaks are because of the half moons, the '82 GS1100E runs so hot it mists and weeps oil that collect dirt after time.
I know the common logic here is NOT to use any sealer on the valve cover gasket, but.................... it does say on page 3-6 in the GS1100 service manual that a thin layer of Suzuki Bond No. 1207B on both sides of the gasket will ensure an oil tight seal.
 
It won't hurt the tach drive at all.
Shouldn't clog up anywhere else.
My dirt bikes have no valve cover gasket, just Threebond or Yamabond or whatever.
It works fine there.
It's not like RTV.
 
That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Ill give it a go when its not 15 degrees in the garage and hope for the best. Man winter needs to end already.....
 
May want to check on weather the cover is warped, When you have it off next time stick on a mirror and see if it is flat the whole way around.
Before you put gasket on set on head and look all the way around to make sure it sits well.
 
evan132 said:
That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Ill give it a go when its not 15 degrees in the garage and hope for the best. Man winter needs to end already.....
Click to expand...

All the flowers are in bloom and new green leaves on the trees here in Orlando, Florida. I think we have an early spring here.
 
realgaskets.com ! I just put mine on, sealed the half moons and put them on first with the valve cover w/o gasket to make them flush and let them dry. Put the silicon gasket on and I have been totally leak free so far. Make sure you only torque to 15 IN LBS... i did ft. lbs and broke my valve cover! New/used valve cover on and no leaks so far.

15 in lbs is just more than hand tight
 
sedelen said:
All the flowers are in bloom and new green leaves on the trees here in Orlando, Florida. I think we have an early spring here.
Click to expand...

I envy you, as tom203 said, it looks like its gonna be cold here for a while. This gasket is what kept me from riding on that day it was 65 out:mad:. Thanks Crank, I have checked for warpage and it seems pretty good, I think that with the little bit of sealant it will be fine. And chucksuki, my bike has the tach drive in the valve cover and that gasket is much thicker than stock. I also just can't get over the idea of 15 in. lbs of torque. Happy its working for you though.
 
You don't want a RealGasket on an 1100E. You want strictly OEM.
 
Bummer, I couldn't get mine to stop leaking either. I'd say seal'er up then.
 
By the way, does anybody know of a way to remove oil stains from a stainless exhaust header? I tried just water and a rag and it did nothing, though I pretty much expected that. Maybe a non scratch scotch brite and some detergent? It seems like its baked on there pretty good and I don't wanna polish the whole system as it has darkened to a nice bronze color.
 
The only really nice bike worthy of polishing i foolishly sold, therefore am unqualified to answer you oil stain question. If my bike doesn't come clean during its spring scrubbing, spots generally are there till next spring. Unless it gets REALLY dirty. Then i might wash it....but i'd rather ride a dirty bike then clean it...
 
dorkburger said:
....but i'd rather ride a dirty bike then clean it...
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I have found to some degree the dirt/grease/grime protects the metal from corrosion. So enjoy it!
I also found that clean bikes run better, but I'm sure it's just my imagination. Mine are coming up on their semi-annual wash.
 
Wher can i find the half moons for a 79'GS1000? I have the gasket already...just need the moons?
 
dobie1708 said:
Wher can i find the half moons for a 79'GS1000? I have the gasket already...just need the moons?
Click to expand...
Probably the same place you got the gasket, but they are available at any of the online parts places mentioned in BassCliff's welcome (we told you to bookmark that site).

Among the favorites (in no particular order) are Boulevard Suzuki, G&S Suzuki and Z1 Enterprises.

.
 
Found them at boulevade suzuki. Was looking in the wrong place.
 
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