Weeping rocker cover gasket.

[tomtom]

I have a 1982 Katana 1100 and cant seem to stop an oil weep from the centre of the rocker cover. It's a skimmed head and was rebuilt with new gasket and a smear of Gasnasinch. I've nipped up all relative cover bolts but still cant cure the weep. Any tricks of the trade please guys. I had read the early 20 hole covers were bad for this. Thanks in advance.

[Pedda]

Ask different people and you'll get different tips.

some will tell you to only use the gasket dry, next one recons using some sealant in addition. Probably everyone will say: use a new gasket. Do not give the bolts too much torque, as the threads in the head are not the strongest.

In fact, you gave the answer to your question yourself. It's a fact that the old 20 bold cover is a weak point which made Suzuki change the design.

[KeKat]

Mine just started leaking yesterday (20 bolt cover), bought a new gasket and will install at the weekend. I am going to install dry.
Keith

[Pop-Kat]

With early covers I smear some RTV on the front and back of the camchain tunnel area, where there's no bolts, not had any leaks that way. (both sides of gasket)

[KeKat]

Thanks Malc. I will do what you suggest.

keith

[Uncle Bob]

I fixed mine by buying an SD

[tomtom]

Thanks for all the help. RTV ???

[johnr]

dont use rtv. use wellseal, both sides of the gasket, let it go tacky before you fit it. wipe the surfaces clean with a cloth with meths on to remove any grease. wellseal isnt cheap, but once youve used it, you wont use anything else. rtv is a silicone based seal iirc, too slippy. anyone remember steves rubber rocker seal on the john o groats to lands end run? i swear that the m6 is still stained with 10/40!!
and just as an aside, its deffo the rocker gasket? not the head bolts with the o rings on them? turbulence on the front of a motor can whip up an oil mist and spray it anywhere.
as has been said, the 20 bolt covers are prone for it, but so are the head bolt o rings.

[Pop-Kat]

I use RTV all the time and I've never had an oil leak due to it. The race bike has it's crankcases sealed with it as well as the rocker cover gasket. I've used it on paper gaskets, Rubber seals, bare metal with no problems. Others I know in the motor trade use it and swear by it, it also comes off easily when required.. One incident would seem more like an error in fitting the part..



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RTV = Room Temperature Vulcanization silicone



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[tomtom]

Thanks again guys. The two o rings on the bolts were replaced as they were leaking too. I've since had the cover powder coated and wondered if has warped slightly. It will just get wiped clean for just now and investigate at a later date. Cheers.