1150 GS Adv Valve Cover Bolt difficulty getting it back into valve cover

[curdavey]

One of my valve cover bolts came loose on my 1150 GS Av (2003) whist riding bike (oil on boot was the clue something not right)

I was unable to easily screw this back on at side of road at the time, leading me to believe that the thread was damaged somehow.

I removed the valve cover and checked that the bolt was not slipping in the thread. It appears to be okay. Still unsure how this could of worked its way loose.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have tried to push the bolt back into the valve cover, however the seal is not pushing all the way through. I've tried various techniques but it just wont seat
properly. I understand that these have to be tight but i just can get it to fit all the way. Is there a special technique ?

I think that the reason why i could screw on at side of road could be due to seal issue described above.

Although the rubber seal looks undamaged to the naked eye i'm thinking that i should just replace the bolt.

Any thought or experiences of the above would be appreciated.

Dave

 

[ian6760]

Dave.

It could have come lose because they are only tightened lightly, something like 9nm. If the seal has come out of the valve cover it will need knocking back in off the bike.

I used a rubber mat on a workbench with a hole for the bolt to go through, tap the seal into place and stick it back on the bike.

Ian

 

[curdavey]

Ian,

Thanks for tip. Still not been able to get the seal to sit the same as the others. Will persist.

Dave

 

[kennyc]

has it been helicoiled in the past? these can on occasion come part way out, this would stop the cover sealing.

 

[Bem]

Dave.

...because they are only tightened lightly, something like 9nm

and please don`t ask how I know this to be true, it was a long time ago and I was getting ready for a trip!

Those seals can in effect "work harden" over time (perhaps 12 years old) so replace all of them together, then do up gently.
And as Kennyc says, perhaps it already been helicoiled?

 

[ian6760]

Ian,

Thanks for tip. Still not been able to get the seal to sit the same as the others. Will persist.

Dave

It might be worth repacing the the knackered bolt then (or should I say seal). You can buy replacements bolts for a couple of quid each complete with the seal.

I replaced one of mine years ago as the previous owner had over tighten it stripping the thread in the head and damaging the bolt. Running a tap in the head didn't fix it so I had to helicoil it. Very nerve racking job to do for the first time so I did a few test runs on a scrap lump of Ali and all was good. Still oil tight some 8 years later.

Good luck with it.
Ian.

 

[Steptoe]

Ian,

Thanks for tip. Still not been able to get the seal to sit the same as the others. Will persist.

Dave

It's not rocket science. It's a rubber grommet that push fits into place.

 

[Massive Lee]

if you turn the bolt endlessly, then the thread is now gone. You'll need an Helicoil or an insert. I have to do one of mine.

Lee