valve cover

[catbed]

good news! well not really. i found out where the leak was coming from.


inside


bolt hole


i can only get this welded right? and then i would have to repaint the cover? can i go the el-cheapo route and use jb weld?

[Steve]

I have used JB Weld successfully on valve covers before. Just be sure to clean it better than you would if you wanted to eat off of it, then clean it again. Carb cleaner spray and alcohol both work well to clean all the oil out of the crack. If you have room on the inside, you can lay a bead at least 1/4" either side of the crack, then use a hair dryer to heat it up. It will soften the JB so it will flow into the irregularities of the crack giving a better seal.

.

[catbed]

cool. im going to try to jb weld it. thanks steve!

[tkent02]

I have used JB Weld successfully on valve covers before. Just be sure to clean it better than you would if you wanted to eat off of it, then clean it again. Carb cleaner spray and alcohol both work well to clean all the oil out of the crack. If you have room on the inside, you can lay a bead at least 1/4" either side of the crack, then use a hair dryer to heat it up. It will soften the JB so it will flow into the irregularities of the crack giving a better seal.

.

And don't tighten it so much this time, JB will not be as strong as the original was.

[catbed]

im using a real gasket so i dont plan to tighten that much.

[Nessism]

JB Weld for temporary fix but hit ebay and get a new/used cover.

[catbed]

well i found somebody that will weld it. hes gonna do it tomorrow(friday) and ill keep you guys updated as to what is going on.

[Kcwiro]

I have a spare valve cover for my 750.. shop put on old one from the head I bought against my wish's *did not listen*... I am polishing my old one but once the other comes off I will have a spare in the next few weeks. Say the word if compatible and we can arrange delievery for you.

[bwringer]

I have a spare valve cover for my 750.. shop put on old one from the head I bought against my wish's *did not listen*... I am polishing my old one but once the other comes off I will have a spare in the next few weeks. Say the word if compatible and we can arrange delievery for you.

They're different -- the 19 bolt valve cover on the 82-83 GS850 is unique.

I had a spare, but I sold it to another GSR member about a year ago...

[catbed]

after pics:



next...

[catbed]

after filing:





one more question. what can i use to clean the gasket mating surface on the head? can i use rubbing alcohol? acetone? denatured alcohol?

[tkent02]

one more question. what can i use to clean the gasket mating surface on the head? can i use rubbing alcohol? acetone? denatured alcohol?

Any of those, carb cleaner, starting fluid, kerosene, just about any solvent will do. There is a product called "Gasket Remover" that works pretty well, especially if most of the paper is gone. It's basically paint remover in a spray can.

Just don't gouge the surface up.

[catbed]

by clean the gasket mating head, i meant of oil, not old gaskets. sorry for not mentioning that before.

[Kcwiro]

They're different -- the 19 bolt valve cover on the 82-83 GS850 is unique....

Scratch mine working for you then.. thanks bwringer for correcting my mistake =)

[Calvin Blackmore]

I have alwyas used light petroleum based clenaer varsol etc to get the bulk of heavy oil then gone to alcohol based cleaners

the latter removes all oil so you get a very clean mating surface
i soak paper towels in alcohol based brake cleaner to do it

use several pieces to sucessively remove all reidue

I never get leaks after doing this

that guy did a sweet job of fixing the crack btw