rocker valve cover slight oil leak

[simplysounds]

just done my valve adjustment as part of the 24k service and have a small weeping oil leak.

i also did the valves at 18k and had the same issue so purchased new 2 new gaskets which made it better.

when i did the 24k valve adjustment i cleaned both gaskets and surfaces to a squeeky clean finish before reinstalling, torqued them up as per manual in diagonal fashion but still weeping oil.

do i need to replace the gaskets? all the tutorials just say put the original parts back together. is this a normal thing to have a trace of oil when wiping my finger on the underside?

don't really want to spend £14 per side on gaskets that are undamaged and look ok. the strange thing is the other side with a stripped thread (top front bolt) is ok. next time i whip them off i'll repair with heli-coil.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Maybe the cover has a slight warp to it? You could check it with a straight edge. Honestly no idea how likely these are to warp but I guess it is possible. You could also use a bit of sealer but I personally hate the stuff.

 

[simplysounds]

yeah, i'll check that. maybe i'll get a new gasket? these gaskets have multiple fins so no idea why they should leak? on previous dealer services they replaced these but i know mechanics who service police bmw r1200rt fleet bikes and don't replace them.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You definitely shouldn't have to change them that often for sure

 

[harry]

Are you sure the plug channel black ring is seated properly?

 

[Kremmen]

You made sure no debris on mating surfaces??
Did you tighten the bolts up evenly & diagonally?
Offer the covers against the head face without the joint, see if it rocks about then you'll know if it's distorted....
In any case any minor distortion should be taken up by the rubber joint

 

[fatbaldbob]

Are you sure the plug channel black ring is seated properly?

+1 for the above, its very easy to disturb the plug seal when replacing the cover, possibly the most likely culprit if the new gaskets havent cured it.

 

[simplysounds]

Plug ring seated well. I'm very careful with fitting casings back on. Surfaces were surgically clean. Bolts fastened in diagonal order to specified torque. I've also got the £70 stainless set due to broken bolts prior to getting a torque wrench.

 

[autogs]

what oil are you using

 

[simplysounds]

Castrol actevo as i normally use

 

[Spout]

.....due to broken bolts prior to getting a torque wrench.

I can't imagine breaking the bolts without damaging the hole threads. Herein lies the problem me thinks...?

 

[Steptoe]

+1 for the above, its very easy to disturb the plug seal when replacing the cover, possibly the most likely culprit if the new gaskets havent cured it.

The plug seal should be removed from the head and fitted onto the rocker cover, and then the rocker cover refitted.

Do not fit the rocker cover with the rubber seal still inside the head.

 

[autogs]

Castrol actevo as i normally use

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

a small weeping oil leak

Thats just the way they are. Put a smear of sealant on both sides of the gasket and it'll go away. I use Ducati ThreeBond - others are equally effective.

Use a very fine smear not a great dollop or it'll break off and clog the oil galleries.

 

[Ravenbyrne]

I usually run a small amount of new oil on the gasket before re-installing them

same as you do with a new oil filter

 

[simplysounds]

No, threads on leaking side are all ok. It's one thread on non leaking side that needs helicoil.

 

[simplysounds]

Thats just the way they are. Put a smear of sealant on both sides of the gasket and it'll go away. I use Ducati ThreeBond - others are equally effective.

Use a very fine smear not a great dollop or it'll break off and clog the oil galleries.

Yeah sounds like a plan