Head Gasket, need a new one?

[Mop Bucket]

I checked the valve clearances on my 83 GS650G a few months ago and have 60ish miles on it. When I put the cover back on one of the screws would tighten down. I was in noob denial at the time and ratinalized that one loose is ok. But... it is leaking oil.

My question is this, do I need to purchase a new gasket or will the one on there be fine to reuse? Like I said, it has only been on there 60ish miles.

[cowboyup3371]

I would consider getting a new one just to be safe but it's up to you really.

[Nessism]

That gasket is fine. Just fix the threads and reuse the gasket.

BTW, that's a valve cover gasket, not head gasket.

[Mop Bucket]

Thanks, I will try to reuse the current one after fixing the threads. I might be riding it to my new home across state lines and wanted to make sure it was fixed.

[waterman]

I checked the valve clearances on my 83 GS650G a few months ago and have 60ish miles on it. When I put the cover back on one of the screws would tighten down. I was in noob denial at the time and ratinalized that one loose is ok. But... it is leaking oil.

My question is this, do I need to purchase a new gasket or will the one on there be fine to reuse? Like I said, it has only been on there 60ish miles.

Is it safe to say that it is leaking near the loose screw? How much of a leak, a gusher, stream, drip, or seepage? I ask since my 81 650 weeps oil at front corners with new gaskets and half moons installed. If it leaks a lot, you may want to consider "unconventional" fixes such as using a gasket sealer on gasket.

Please do not use excess amounts of sealer, wipe on a very thin layer and do not use silicone. Get a decent sealer like yamabond. Typically, it will be ruined at valve clearance checks and have to be removed to get a good seal the next time.

Usually a gasket can be used dry without a leak. Whlie most of us frown severely on the use of gasket sealers, sometimes it is the only way to stop a leak.

[Mop Bucket]

I would say a little seepage from the corner next to the loose screw. When I look at the joint where the cover and gasket connect it looks almost loose or not a tight fit like the other areas where the screws are tight.

[DanTheMan]

I couldn't stop the leaks with the Vesrah valve cover gasket (cardboard/fiber) and I didn't want to use mega sealant like what had been on the last one. I put on a RealGasket and it hasn't leaked since, even through several valve shim replacements. I turned the half moons flat side in so the flange area was inside, smeared a thin coating of orange silicone gasket sealer on them and they don't leak either.

[Mop Bucket]

I would say a little seepage from the corner next to the loose screw. When I look at the joint where the cover and gasket connect it looks almost loose or not a tight fit like the other areas where the screws are tight.

[Mop Bucket]

Tapped and inserted a coil to fix the screw. That was easier than I thought it would be. But the screw was on the out side and all the metal chucks dropped out the bottom of the screw hole.

What is the best way to tap and coil a hole that's bottom isn't open? How would I get the filings out?

[DanTheMan]

Grease the drill bit, insert it into the drilled hole and pull the filings out. When you tap it, grease your tap and it'll draw the filings out with it.