''03 K1200 RS Cam Cvr Oil Leak?

[grsteiner]

Annoying drip at the front/bottom edge of valve cover defies my best efforts. I've replaced the original gasket (although it was in good shape) and carefully cleaned all mating surfaces with elec/contact cleaner. I carefully sopped up collected oil along the inside bottom edge of the lower mating surface and made sure all was clean & dry before installing new gasket using dealer-supplied sealer on the areas specified in the manual. Still leaks. Did it all over again using the same gasket, but recleaned all surfaces with silicone remover. Reapplied sealant as before and installed using same technique. Still leaks.

At rallies I've checked out other 'K' bikes of this vintage and seen similar problems, although some of them are clean and dry. I've seen a couple that were totally gross with a wet, gummy mess in the bottom of the spoiler.

There is always a film of oil all along the bottom seam of the front cam chain cover, so it's hard to tell if that's the culprit and it runs down hill to the bottom lip of the cam cover. The wind could carry a small leak anywhere. The manual shows the whole procedure, but it looks like brain damage and some recommended BMW "special tools" are required to reseat the crankshaft oil seal.

Perhaps I'm being anal, but BMWs are not supposed to leak fluids. This is not a bad leak...just enough for oil to run down along the engine spoiler/tupper ware seam and leave a small spot on the garage floor.

Has anyone attempted this fix and what are the results?

Thanks.

[BuddingGeezer]

Go to your friendly Yamaha dealer and get some Yamabond. It is with out a doubt the very best sealer I have used. It is expensive around $12 a tube. Coat both sides of the gasket with Yamabond and bolt it up. It won't leak. Some motorcycle mechanics use Yamabond and leave the gaskets out. I have it sealing the oil pan on my K100LT and have used it on several other motorcycle and auto applications. No drips.

Ralph Sims

[98lee]

The valve cover gasket is not squeezed by the pressure of the valve cover bolts (they are designed to bottom out, so tightening the further than the 6.5 ft/lb recomended torque will not put any more force on the gasket, but WILL result in stripped threads in the head)

Pressure to seal the gasket relies on the elasticity of the rubber bushings that surround the valve cover (and crank cover) bolts. After time and exposure to heat, these become hard and do not transfer enough squeeze to the gasket. This is very common on older K-bikes. Maybe, because of the increased shrouding that the newer style fairings provide, the newer bikes might have this happen sooner.:dunno

The part number for the bushings is:11141461475 Rubber Bush $1.52ea
You will need 11 of them.


:dance :dance :dance

[grsteiner]

Yes, I'm aware of the cam cover bolt tightening technique and the fact that they "bottom out". I'm using the proper methods as spelled out in the Clymer manual and it still leaks. I'll try the Yamabond next time around. I'm about to ride to Illinois and back so I'll see how much of a mess it makes during the next 3000 miles. Thanks to both of you for your quick response.

[BuddingGeezer]

Go to your friendly Yamaha dealer and get some Yamabond. It is with out a doubt the very best sealer I have used. It is expensive around $12 a tube. Coat both sides of the gasket with Yamabond and bolt it up. It won't leak. Some motorcycle mechanics use Yamabond and leave the gaskets out. I have it sealing the oil pan on my K100LT and have used it on several other motorcycle and auto applications. No drips.

Ralph Sims

I guess I should have added, even though the Yamabond should cure your oil leak, it will be tougher when you check your valves and you might even need a new gasket at that time. Your valve cover could be warped preventing a gasket seal.

Ralph Sims

[98lee]

Have a safe and fun trip.:thumb :wave :usa :german