Can I make myself a breather gasket, or do I have to buy one?

[Guest]

81 GS650GL

I got excited and wanted to cut myself a new breather gasket, since mine is leaking kind of badly and I have the valve cover off. I did some searches, and I'm sure I can cut some gaskets (I cut one for the cam chain tensioner, which was also leaking), but don't know if this material will work for the breather.

On removal... ahem, destruction of the old gasket (I made sure that bikebandit had one I could buy if necessary), I found that there are two layers in the middle of the breather gasket. It looked like a cross between paper and leather (maybe a cereal box?).

Do I have to buy this gasket (and wait for shipping) or can I use the one I cut already? Can I just make myself two layers, or is it special somehow?

Cheers

[hikermikem]

Make your own. Should work fine. I've never seen 2 gaskets under a breather cover, maybe a quick "fix" from the PO?

[Agemax]

you should find out why your breather cover is leaking oil badly!!!!!!! there should only be oil mist and fumes circulating up there, not lots of oil. is the mesh fitted to trap any oil mist?

if you have a lot of oil floating around way up there then you could have some engine problems.

[tom203]

you should find out why your breather cover is leaking oil badly!!!!!!! there should only be oil mist and fumes circulating up there, not lots of oil. is the mesh fitted to trap any oil mist?

if you have a lot of oil floating around way up there then you could have some engine problems.

Yeah, there should be a slight mist- mine showed very little oil staining at 42k

[WilliamGLX81]

I think the "bad" leak was an exaggeration. It just looks bad, but it's obviously been weeping oil for a while. I noticed that my valve cover bolts were none too tight either, and I think that may have been leaking some too.

[blowerbike]

the gaskets are thick and leather like.
i doubt you can find a similar material to make one.
also...it is common to break an ear off the cover when tightening if the gasket squeezes out on the corner.

[WilliamGLX81]

The gasket appeared to be about 1mm or more thick. Much thicker than this 1/32 or 1/64 gasket material I have. I'll try to post a photo of the gasket's two layers.

[blowerbike]

i'm just saying on the GS's...they have a thick gasket for the breather cover.
once it get's oil on it...it swell's up some what.

[Nessism]

Autoparts stores sell gasket material sheet. Get the stuff suitable for oil and fuel contact - looks and feels sort of rubberized. A paper hole punch is the perfect size for making the screw holes. I've made a bunch of gaskets, including those for a stator cover and carb floatbowl, and it's worked out well each time.

[bellucci]

I tried a valve cover gasket from Realgaskets which is made of silicone. Bad day at the race track. Tried to seal it 3 times... no good. Bought one from Z1 and have had no problems. I guess I can use the $37.00 silicone one as a template if I need to. Really disappointed in the silicone one...
Curt

[mrbill5491]

81 GS650GL

I got excited and wanted to cut myself a new breather gasket, since mine is leaking kind of badly and I have the valve cover off. I did some searches, and I'm sure I can cut some gaskets (I cut one for the cam chain tensioner, which was also leaking), but don't know if this material will work for the breather.

On removal... ahem, destruction of the old gasket (I made sure that bikebandit had one I could buy if necessary), I found that there are two layers in the middle of the breather gasket. It looked like a cross between paper and leather (maybe a cereal box?).

Do I have to buy this gasket (and wait for shipping) or can I use the one I cut already? Can I just make myself two layers, or is it special somehow?

Cheers

I may have a gasket for you. I was sent the wrong one and they told me to keep it and sent me the right one. Your gasket looks like a T right? http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1981&fveh=2128

[Allie]

Thick gasket paper works just fine, it's not that choosy and application.

[chef1366]

Thick gasket paper works just fine, it's not that choosy and application.

Ha ha
Nurse Ratchet (sp?)
One of my Favorite movies of all time
Sorry for the hijack

[Allie]

I believe it's spelled 'Ratched'. It's... medication time!

[WilliamGLX81]

I may have a gasket for you. I was sent the wrong one and they told me to keep it and sent me the right one. Your gasket looks like a T right? http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1981&fveh=2128

Yup, that's the one. Sort of like a T, with two big holes right next to the upper bolt-holes and two holes on the center line for the JIS head bolts. #9 on that fiche. I'd be happy to take it off your hands for the cost of postage.