leaking valve cover gasket 1,500 miles from home

[mrhedges]

shot in the dark here, I'm on an epic journey currently in Taos, New Mexico. Taking this virus seriously and masking up in public etc but I appear to be having an oil leak out of the valve cover gasket. I recently replaced it when I had the valves checked my friend who did the job told me the gasket wasn't very good quality so perhaps it's failing? or perhaps it's loosened up in the last 1,500 miles.

Anyone around New Mexico down to help? I have a simple tool kit but not enough tools and know how to want to tackle the job alone. It's a shot in the dark but just thought I'd put this out there. its going through a quart every 1000 miles, so not catastrophic but maybe I should get it check out?

 

[bonanzadave]

my friend who did the job told me the gasket wasn't very good quality

???? Some friend ! (kidding). U pull the VC... U change the VC gasket. Try to snug it up a bit. Some Suzuki dealers could have them in stock. Check ahead on your route. I once blew a petcock diaphragm on a Memphis to Minneapolis ride 1 mile from a Suzuki dealer. Had it in stock. Good luck

 

[Steve]

Roger (burque73) is just south of you, in Albuquerque.

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[mrhedges]

cool, will do. I'm sorta tempted to just fix it when I get home.

 

[mrhedges]

Roger (burque73) is just south of you, in Albuquerque.

.

Well If he is interested in helping I would definitely go out of my way, I could even order a new gasket and send it to his house.

 

[Burque73]

Well If he is interested in helping I would definitely go out of my way, I could even order a new gasket and send it to his house.

Man, I'm in Vegas right now. My son is at the house and there's a new gasket there you can have if you get there OK.

Wait, 81 and 83 have different gaskets. Andy Vanice may be available.

 

[Burque73]

Another thought is picking up some gasket material at autozone. It even comes with a tiny razor knife that works well to cut your gasket out. They have the correct thickness stuff. I cut a valve cover and breather gasket out of one sheet for around $10. It's cork which squishes down easily, but it works.

 

[alke46]

Wow! Cutting out a valve cover gasket sounds like it would require more patience than I could muster up. Good luck.

Just how bad is yours leaking? If a lot then maybe you should replace. If just oozing, then maybe replace when you get home.

Your call. Do what's necessary so it doesn't spoil the fun of the trip.

 

[Burque73]

I did take some time I won't lie, but quicker than shiping and it worked. I ordered an OEM gasket in case this one had problems. So far so good. I used hole punch from the office drawer for the bolt holes. I found the felpro stuff way too stiff to cut by hand.

 

[Guest]

I did take some time I won't lie, but quicker than shiping and it worked. I ordered an OEM gasket in case this one had problems. So far so good. I used hole punch from the office drawer for the bolt holes. I found the felpro stuff way too stiff to cut by hand.

This looks brilliant. I might try this. The cork material at the car store is 1.5mm though, but I assume 0.1 mm wont make a big difference.

 

[Burque73]

Well If he is interested in helping I would definitely go out of my way, I could even order a new gasket and send it to his house.

It was nice to meet you in Taos the other day. Looked like rain was coming as I left.

Your cam end plugs came today and I'll watch for the gasket.