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Installing Valve Cover Gasket Mon May 03, 2021 12:36 am
jnclem
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I have an '89 K100rs with 30k miles on it. I adjusted the valves a couple of weeks ago and reused the old valve cover gasket. It seemed plenty flexible. The problem I had was simply trying to keep the gasket in place on the cover to install it.
I have the black powder coated engine and the channel that the gasket sits in is VERY slippery. I cleaned all the oil from the cover, the gasket, and the head, but it seemed impossible to keep that gasket in place while installing the cover. The gasket seems to be a bit too small to sit in the cover groove, so it constantly slips out of place. I fought with it for a very long time, but finally got it in place.
I used a little RTV on the two seams at the timing cover, and on the half-moon pieces, but none anywhere else. I think all of the messing around with it removed too much RTV. I thought it was not leaking after a short ride, but a 200 mile ride showed a slight leak from the top seam at the timing cover joint.
I ordered a new gasket. My question is, are there any tricks to getting that gasket to stay in place while you install the cover? I have been told that the non-powder coated engines are easier.
Any thoughts?
I have the black powder coated engine and the channel that the gasket sits in is VERY slippery. I cleaned all the oil from the cover, the gasket, and the head, but it seemed impossible to keep that gasket in place while installing the cover. The gasket seems to be a bit too small to sit in the cover groove, so it constantly slips out of place. I fought with it for a very long time, but finally got it in place.
I used a little RTV on the two seams at the timing cover, and on the half-moon pieces, but none anywhere else. I think all of the messing around with it removed too much RTV. I thought it was not leaking after a short ride, but a 200 mile ride showed a slight leak from the top seam at the timing cover joint.
I ordered a new gasket. My question is, are there any tricks to getting that gasket to stay in place while you install the cover? I have been told that the non-powder coated engines are easier.
Any thoughts?