Front engine cover replacement advice please!

[Bikermike1411]

Morning all,

I’m going to try and find time to get the engine cover back on my GS this weekend. Just looking for some advice before I start….

1. I’ve got a new crankshaft seal - is it best practice to put it into the engine cover before I mount the cover back on the engine, or after?

2. The book calls for ThreeBond 1209 sealant - I’ve got an open tube that must be 10 years old, and is surprisingly still liquid under the dried plug in the tube! Not sure it’s worth risking though…pain in the backside to fix if it doesn’t seal properly! Giiven that I can’t just nip out and buy this stuff locally, can I use any other automotive sealant? Loctite and granville stuff is easily available from any local motor factors.

Cheers
Mike

 

[albatross]

Morning Mike
Have a look here…

Thread '3-Bond 1209'

Dec 29, 2007

I am looking for a alternate liquid gasket for 3-Bond 1209, the sealant that BMW calls for to join the case halves. I have searched the web for 1209 with no luck, I am beginning to believe that the product does not exist. I know that I need a sealant for a zero clearance compression. Yamabond may work or a Loctite product.

Thanks Curt Henry Minnetonka Minnesota USA (the frozen north)

• hennpinboy
• Replies: 5
• Forum: 850/1100/1150 Oilheads

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/1289179-permatex-gasket-makers-drei-bond-1209-alternatives.html

Interestingly it states here that 3BS1209 has a shelf life max 10 yrs..
All this sealant stuff is a science in it own..OMG…where is my blue hylomar:)

 

[Bikermike1411]

Cheers Albert,

I’m honestly going round in circles trying to work out exactly what I can and can’t use.

3-bond 1209 is unobtainable as far as I can see. The only thing I can tell for certain is that whatever gets used can’t be the stuff that produces acetic acid as it cures, as this can affect the aluminium engine cases.

Some folk have used Yamabond/Hondabond 3-bond 1207b, but from what i can tell it has different applications to 1209.

I’m absolutely terrified of making the wrong call and using something unsuitable for the job! I have no idea why 1209 isn’t readily available - probably due to health regulations. I may have to call BMW or Motorworks tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[Posh Pete]

Do you need to remove the cover at all? If it's purely to address cosmetic issues due to corrosion, then it's possible to strip the cover and re-paint it in situ. I did this with my 1200RT and the end result was absolutely fine.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Morning all,

I’m going to try and find time to get the engine cover back on my GS this weekend. Just looking for some advice before I start….

1. I’ve got a new crankshaft seal - is it best practice to put it into the engine cover before I mount the cover back on the engine, or after?

2. The book calls for ThreeBond 1209 sealant - I’ve got an open tube that must be 10 years old, and is surprisingly still liquid under the dried plug in the tube! Not sure it’s worth risking though…pain in the backside to fix if it doesn’t seal properly! Giiven that I can’t just nip out and buy this stuff locally, can I use any other automotive sealant? Loctite and granville stuff is easily available from any local motor factors.

Cheers
Mike

@Bikermike1411 You really are over thinking it !! it is just a seal to prevent the oil from dripping out, it is not a pressure seal

I have used Victor Reinz 70-31414-10 Gasket sealant, but that is my preferred

Just make sure that the surfaces are clean and a wipe with brake cleaner or Isopropyl Alcohol

A thin smear on the block leave it a couple of minutes, and slide the cover on , personally I fit the seal into the cover before fitting it helps align it, with a light smear of oil on the inner lip(s) (not on the new type seals!! I always use standard double lip rubber seals)

Have fun! At the worst it will leak! So just clean and add a light dab of RTV on the outside Or take it off and do it again

Best Case? It won;t leak

 

[Bikermike1411]

@Bikermike1411 You really are over thinking it !! it is just a seal to prevent the oil from dripping out, it is not a pressure seal

I have used Victor Reinz 70-31414-10 Gasket sealant, but that is my preferred

Just make sure that the surfaces are clean and a wipe with brake cleaner or Isopropyl Alcohol

A thin smear on the block leave it a couple of minutes, and slide the cover on , personally I fit the seal into the cover before fitting it helps align it, with a light smear of oil on the inner lip(s) (not on the new type seals!! I always use standard double lip rubber seals)

Have fun! At the worst it will leak! So just clean and add a light dab of RTV on the outside Or take it off and do it again

Best Case? It won;t leak

Cheers Doc,

Thanks for the advice. I’ve ordered that Reinz stuff. I’ll get the crank seal in and the cover mounted as soon as it arrives, then I can crack on getting it back together.

 

[Bikermike1411]

Cheers Doc,

Thanks for the advice. I’ve ordered that Reinz stuff. I’ll get the crank seal in and the cover mounted as soon as it arrives, then I can crack on getting it back together.

@DrFarkoff - can I check - using the aftermarket ‘traditional’ seals (not the membrane ones) - does ‘open’ side of the seal (with the garter spring) go inwards, and I can’t remember where I read this, but should you hook the spring out before installing it?

 

[DrFarkoff]

@Bikermike1411 Yes open side faces inwards

No do not remove the garter spring BUT be careful when fitting that the lip does not lift back wards

A light coat of fresh oil will help on going over the nose of the crank

 

[jetjock]

Talking of painting engine front covers , does anyone know where to find the paint codes ?

 

[Bikermike1411]

Talking of painting engine front covers , does anyone know where to find the paint codes ?

I used hammerite smooth silver on my first one, this one I had powder coated whatever aluminium-ish silver they had. It’s actually a really good match!