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Valve Cover Gasket

E

emlivings

Forum Apprentice
Good Morning,

Any tips on fixing oil leaks on valve cover gasket.
1979 GS850
Got the bike in 2024, the paper gasket failed around the half moons and in the middle of the cover. Got another gasket and new halfmoons..it failed again around the halfmoons. Got a new rubber gasket and while i was running a carb sync the gasket started leaking oil around the edges above the half moons.

I haven't taken the cover off yet but will do this today to see what failed.

I'm really having a hard time with getting a good seal, if anyone has had experience with this please give me your wisdom!

Ethan
 
The gasket surfaces of both the head and valve cover need to be surgically clean, and free of old gasket material. And be sure to use an OEM gasket, not aftermarket.

Use engine grade RTV or Threebond sealer on the head, where the curved portion of the half moons seal. Some people use a small dab of sealer on the flat section of the half moons also.

Tighten the valve cover, working around, a little at a time. I think the factory manual has a tightening sequence. If not, start in the center, and work your way outside.
 
should i add washers for the bolts? to help keep it tight? i have gone back and seen lose ones maybe a copper washer would help keep it under tension?
 
Not needed. You can use a torque wrench, but those are scary and can strip threads if those in your head are weak. You can't just blindly torque.
 
Especially, don't overtighten the bolts.
I use a 1/4" drive rachet and when it feels tight, that's enough torque.
 
emlivings said:
should i add washers for the bolts? to help keep it tight? i have gone back and seen lose ones maybe a copper washer would help keep it under tension?
Click to expand...

I don't know about the 850, but I found out that the bolts where the dowels are located on my 650 are longer than the rest. I initially just replaced them thinking they were all the same size and one did not torque.
Also, as Ed mentioned, I used some Permatex Ultra Black on the curved portion of the half moons.

Don't know if it's necessary, but I torqued it down in the pattern similar to the head. No leaks.
 
Nessism said:
The gasket surfaces of both the head and valve cover need to be surgically clean, and free of old gasket material. And be sure to use an OEM gasket, not aftermarket.

Use engine grade RTV or Threebond sealer on the head, where the curved portion of the half moons seal. Some people use a small dab of sealer on the flat section of the half moons also.

Tighten the valve cover, working around, a little at a time. I think the factory manual has a tightening sequence. If not, start in the center, and work your way outside.
Click to expand...

One extra step that I use (especially with new half-moons) is to use the Threebond on the curved surfaces, then install the cam cover with NO gasket. Clamp it down and leave it overnight, then take it off and install the gasket.
 
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