New Valve gasket, still leaking......

[dj3671]

So I finally got my new valve cover gasket.....

• Replaced the old due to leak on left back side of valve cover/check valve clearance

After putting new gasket on I noticed a small leak now on the right back side of the valve cover and by the closest half moon
(see atached)

To make my day even better, I figured I hadnt tightened the bolt right above the leak, so I wrenched on it a little bit (still turned freely) and it snapped about halfway down......

If I rip the cover back off Im assuming the new gasket will be trashed..... I also read not to use gasket seal on these valve gaskets.....Is there a rubber gasket that I can try instead of paper??

If you can tell on the picture, the new gasket looks to be seated properly, any ideas why it is leaking???

Thanks all

[niclpnut]

Could be leaking for a few different reasons. Valve cover could be lightly warped on that side. Check it with a straight edge.

Or (and I've done this) you could have got some oil on one of the mating surfaces allowing some oil to continue to seep through, or the mating surfaces were not completely clean and had some gasket residue left on them around where the leak occurred.

Real Gaskets Tennessee makes silicon rubber gaskets.


I think the one you are looking for is RG-11173-34202

http://www.realgaskets.com/files/motorcycle.htm

Check out the oem partnumber to verify a fit.

Warrensburg is a bit far for me, but if your in Raymore, I could stop by some time

Nic

[Big T]

Did you check the gasket on the valve cover before you installed it?

I found the aftermarket one I used was miscut in one place, 2500 miles later it started gushing oil

Did you buy aftermarket or OEM?

[1_v8_merc]

I always hit the surfaces with a final blast of contact cleaner, to ensure it's completely bone dry.

If you want a quick and somewhat permanent fix, use RTV.

[rapidray]

Are the half moons new too or is the leak from there?! Ray.

[dj3671]

So a buddy of mine told me to run a very little amount of oil on top of the gasket to aid is reuse.......and i put a TINY amount of oil on the top of the whole gasket..... I'm gonna assume that is why it is leaking The half moons are old so I think im going to try and either seal them or replace (or install backwards). That is the correct gasket, I think a rubber seal will help me a lot. I just dont trust paper gaskets to begin with lol

[rapidray]

The paper gaskets aren't a problem. The problem is in the installation or you not replacing the half moons due to them being hard & not sealing any more. Also, you need to use GREASE instead of oil on the valve cover gasket. Ray.