• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
Where to get OEM valve cover gasket
Replies
3
Views
106
chuck hahn
chuck hahn
S
Psyching myself up for the top end - any veteran eyes up to read borescope pictures?
Replies
16
Views
333
DimitriT
DimitriT
E
1979 Suzuki GS850- Valve cover reinstall.
Replies
6
Views
131
tom203
T
S
Grime in Valve Cover
2
Replies
35
Views
329
rphillips
R
brit7.11
GS425 Oil Consumption. Problem?
Replies
14
Views
263
brit7.11
brit7.11
Back
Top