Valve Cover Corrosion

[oddshapedballs]

Morning all,

Recently purchased an 18 month old GS (replaced my 2007) there is a very small amount of corrosion on the outside of both valve covers along the line where they meet the rubber gasket, there are a couple of areas about the size of a little finger nail where the corrosion is right through the paint to the metal, is this something I need to worry about right now or can it wait?
Am I better off simply replacing them - Motorworks do 2nd hand covers for 64 quid a side and add on at least another couple of hundred quid for new ones.

The rest of the bike is absolutely spotless....which is nice

Thanks.

 

[RUS25R]

This must be normal for bikes of that age, I had both replaced under warranty at 6000 miles on 2011 GSA. Dealer wasn't sure but sent pictures to BMW who authorised straight away. A year on and paint in starting to lift on that edge again so must be an on going problem.

 

[Bendy toy]

I recently had some wheels done they had to be chemically dipped but came out great after a light shot blast and powder coat.

The paint is really tough so the corrosion seeping underneath may well be worse than it looks (my wheel were). Smooth off the cover's gasket edges and have them powder coated all over.

1) The paint used by BMW is VERY hard. Shot blasting is likely to gouge the metal before the paint gets removed.

2) Make sure the stripping chemicals are suitable for the rocker cover material. Caustic is absolutely NOT OK.

3) Make sure the alloy can handle powder coating oven temperature (usually about 180C)

4) As its a cover you can coat it all over including the joint face. Engine and gearbox cases need bare metal joints which can lead to corrosion seeping in.

 

[CJM180]

This must be normal for bikes of that age, I had both replaced under warranty at 6000 miles on 2011 GSA. Dealer wasn't sure but sent pictures to BMW who authorised straight away. A year on and paint in starting to lift on that edge again so must be an on going problem.

Exactly the same on my 2011 gsa! also replaced at 6k and going again at 13k. Also had both wheels and rear hub replaced aswell for same thing

 

[oddshapedballs]

Thanks all.

I'll talk to the dealer tomorrow, as I bought it second hand with the corrosion on I'm assuming I'll get no joy trying to claim under the warranty. But it's worth asking.

If that is the case I may just whip them off and touch them up with an off the shelf Halfords paint pen jobbie.

Would I need to drain the oil first?

Cheers.

 

[Bendy toy]

Use a drip tray and centre stand oil should be down in the sump. Chip off any lifted paint because corrosion will continue to run under the paint and eat into the metal. Dipping two GS alloy wheels and powder coating in gloss black cost me £100 all in. A pair of rocker covers should be a lot less.

 

[sidestand]

Both of mine were starting to corrode on my 2010 Anniversary GSA just before the warranty expired at 2 years
My dealer changed them both under warranty without a quibble

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

Thanks all.

I'll talk to the dealer tomorrow, as I bought it second hand with the corrosion on I'm assuming I'll get no joy trying to claim under the warranty. But it's worth asking.

BMW should pay for this as it shouldn't happen .......... It could also be worth you taking a closer look at the rest of the bike for any corrosion issues then speak to your dealer nicely and request they replace them under the manufacturers warranty

 

[Bendy toy]

I would still have the covers powder coated. Minimal cost and far more durable.

Check the rear subframe (stone chip damage) and the steering strut under the petrol tank (out of sight out of mind).

 

[oddshapedballs]

Thanks for all the reply's and advice guy's.

Made a second visit to the dealer today as they'd agreed to replace both under warranty. All done in an hour!

 

[Bendy toy]

I cant imagine this wonderful paint that BMW use is worth the warranty claims it causes. I'm a fan of powder coating because its low cost and it works. Its not perfect of course but the guys I use deliver a reliable finish. An alloy wheel cost me £25 to coat, so the BMW paint must be seriously low cost in comparison.