Not necessary so
Mine required a new valve cover after two new gaskets failed to solve the problem
rocker gasket leak
- Thread starter sijohnston
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Not necessary so
Mine required a new valve cover after two new gaskets failed to solve the problem
Greggers
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Guys ....
The problem will almost always come back if an AD does the job ... All they do is repair to BMW specs, which will be to replace the gasket, apply sealant at the position specified on the gasket (this point is relevant!) then do it all up again. Same gasket as OE, same assembly techniques .. same problem!
I did mine recently - and I ended up with more oil on the motor than I started with .. HOWEVER .. I'd caused that problem by being a tw@t and I'll explain how...
The cam cover retaining bolts are shouldered which means that they can only squeeze the gasket by a given amount. BMW specs dictate that sealant compound is only applied to certain parts of the gasket - AFAIR just around the 'half-moon' bits, so if the gasket isn't squeezed enough and there's not enough sealant on it, IT WILL LEAK AGAIN!
When I did mine a few weeks ago I used a Loctite Flange Sealant (574 - an anaerobic compound, Google it to check performance specs etc - it's impressive stuff!) on both sides of the gasket and along its entire length. not just round the half-moons. The mistake I made was assuming a simple butyl 'O' ring on top of the shouldered bolt sealing washers would give enough extra downforce on the cover - I don't know if it did or not, but when I investigated the 'new' leak, I found that one of the 'O' rings had slipped to the side of the bolt effectively leaving a furking great gap under the bolt-head.
oil everywhere ... I didn't disturb the cover again, but took out the cam cover bolts, removed the rubber washers and installed a plain stainless steel washer underneath the bolt-head before re-installing the rubber washer. I used a smear of the 574 sealant on those faces and surfaces too, just as a belt-and-braces job. The washers needed a 10mm inner hole so I had to drill the ones I had to suit, but you might be able to buy them as needed from your local fixings supplier. The washers were 1.5mm thick, which effectively decreased the depth of the shoulder on the bolt which gave a corresponding increased 1.5mm of squeeze on the gasket.
I've done a few hundred fairly hard miles since, and no signs of any further leakage.,
There was mention of the possibility of the cam cover being distorted that causes the problem - IMHO it's not - the gasket is about 5mm thick so is easily able to accommodate any warpage, but in all honesty it's a pretty substantial casting so I doubt it's going to spontaneously twist.
If you're doing the job yourself, just be generous with the sealant on all mating surfaces, use additional washers on the boltheads and you'll be fine...
Greg
The problem will almost always come back if an AD does the job ... All they do is repair to BMW specs, which will be to replace the gasket, apply sealant at the position specified on the gasket (this point is relevant!) then do it all up again. Same gasket as OE, same assembly techniques .. same problem!
I did mine recently - and I ended up with more oil on the motor than I started with .. HOWEVER .. I'd caused that problem by being a tw@t and I'll explain how...
The cam cover retaining bolts are shouldered which means that they can only squeeze the gasket by a given amount. BMW specs dictate that sealant compound is only applied to certain parts of the gasket - AFAIR just around the 'half-moon' bits, so if the gasket isn't squeezed enough and there's not enough sealant on it, IT WILL LEAK AGAIN!
When I did mine a few weeks ago I used a Loctite Flange Sealant (574 - an anaerobic compound, Google it to check performance specs etc - it's impressive stuff!) on both sides of the gasket and along its entire length. not just round the half-moons. The mistake I made was assuming a simple butyl 'O' ring on top of the shouldered bolt sealing washers would give enough extra downforce on the cover - I don't know if it did or not, but when I investigated the 'new' leak, I found that one of the 'O' rings had slipped to the side of the bolt effectively leaving a furking great gap under the bolt-head.
oil everywhere ... I didn't disturb the cover again, but took out the cam cover bolts, removed the rubber washers and installed a plain stainless steel washer underneath the bolt-head before re-installing the rubber washer. I used a smear of the 574 sealant on those faces and surfaces too, just as a belt-and-braces job. The washers needed a 10mm inner hole so I had to drill the ones I had to suit, but you might be able to buy them as needed from your local fixings supplier. The washers were 1.5mm thick, which effectively decreased the depth of the shoulder on the bolt which gave a corresponding increased 1.5mm of squeeze on the gasket.I've done a few hundred fairly hard miles since, and no signs of any further leakage.,
There was mention of the possibility of the cam cover being distorted that causes the problem - IMHO it's not - the gasket is about 5mm thick so is easily able to accommodate any warpage, but in all honesty it's a pretty substantial casting so I doubt it's going to spontaneously twist.
If you're doing the job yourself, just be generous with the sealant on all mating surfaces, use additional washers on the boltheads and you'll be fine...
Greg
divelandy
Registered user
Greg was here....
I noticed the film of oil over the l/h casing after we talked at HUTM and am half expecting to see "Greg was here" written on the gasket!
I'm going to let the BMVV guys do their thing in the service and if it continues to leak, will get busy with the sealant. My bike maintenance list is growing <sigh>...
HI Greg,
I noticed the film of oil over the l/h casing after we talked at HUTM and am half expecting to see "Greg was here" written on the gasket!
I'm going to let the BMVV guys do their thing in the service and if it continues to leak, will get busy with the sealant. My bike maintenance list is growing <sigh>...
Just noticed the tell tale signs...
About to ring Barry Robsons and get it booked in.
Have to say other than a bent side stand - dont ask, but at £75 quid for a new OE it can stay bent - I have had no other issues and rather happy with the bike.
Can I confirm with collective that the rocker covers are replaced under warranty?
Richie
About to ring Barry Robsons and get it booked in.
Have to say other than a bent side stand - dont ask, but at £75 quid for a new OE it can stay bent - I have had no other issues and rather happy with the bike.
Can I confirm with collective that the rocker covers are replaced under warranty?
Richie
Dean
Registered user
Hey Richie, why/how is the side stand bent?
Bike on side stand at road side with tent and panniers on....with me so far
Having little legs, I find it awkward getting my leg over..ahem..so to speak, so after seeing others step on their bikes left footpeg to mount their steed, I have adopted the same when bike is kitted out in all its refinary
.....still with me
So using this system I step on the peg and the bike leans further over feeling like it is sinking in soft earth or mud, only we are parked on hard tarmac
On further investigation and side by side comparison, it turns out that the side stand is bent and on certain cambers it leans so far over now it will topple
Been quoted £75 for replacement side stand - part only
So it can stay bent
Oh yeah ebay "800/650 side stands" for £20 are for 650's and are 1 1/2" shorter
so if anyone is lowering their 800 or needs a replacement side stand get in touch
Sorry
A very embarrassed,
Richie
Oh yeah, I've added a bend between hinge and first bend, no crease or cracked paint.
Having little legs, I find it awkward getting my leg over..ahem..so to speak, so after seeing others step on their bikes left footpeg to mount their steed, I have adopted the same when bike is kitted out in all its refinary
.....still with meSo using this system I step on the peg and the bike leans further over feeling like it is sinking in soft earth or mud, only we are parked on hard tarmac
On further investigation and side by side comparison, it turns out that the side stand is bent and on certain cambers it leans so far over now it will topple
Been quoted £75 for replacement side stand - part only
So it can stay bent
Oh yeah ebay "800/650 side stands" for £20 are for 650's and are 1 1/2" shorter
so if anyone is lowering their 800 or needs a replacement side stand get in touch
Sorry
A very embarrassed,
Richie
Oh yeah, I've added a bend between hinge and first bend, no crease or cracked paint.
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Greggers
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Those sidestands are just shite anyway, made out of a special BMW alloy of cream-cheese and marmalade...
Can you guess that mine's the same? I'm assuming that the stand should sit nice and snug to the frame when it's not in use ... mine sticks out a good 3 inches ...
Problem is, if you bend it back, then it will only bend out again - I might tack-weld a section of angle iron on the back - that'll sort the fekker out!
G
Can you guess that mine's the same? I'm assuming that the stand should sit nice and snug to the frame when it's not in use ... mine sticks out a good 3 inches ...
Problem is, if you bend it back, then it will only bend out again - I might tack-weld a section of angle iron on the back - that'll sort the fekker out!
G
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