[ROCKER COVER] [HEADS] [ASSORTED GOO'S]
SUBJECT:
ROCKER COVER GASKETS
Date:
Wed, 15 Oct 1997 09:33:18 +1100
From: Damian Carvolth <d.carvolth@cat.csiro.au>
>the
leak is from the rocker cover, take it off and replace the gasket.
>Before you put on the new gasket, wipe a thin coat of grease on both
>sides of the gasket. These can be re-used if they are not broken. If the
>leak is from the head seal, get help from some-one competent, ask
>some-one in the NSW Guzzi club.
I
never grease gaskets. It can encourage them to move while tightening the
bolts, and provide a path for oil leaks later. I avoid using gasket goos
aswell. I just fit a new one every time and have very few problems.
Subject:
Rocker cover & head leaks
Original Subject:
Virgin Le Mans Trip
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 12:42:59 GMT
From: bryanb@dove.net.au (Bryan Both)
Darrell
Rigby <mbi@1earth.net> wrote:
"Now I have some questions. My guzzi has proved to be quite oily. Leaks from
the heads below the rocker cover mostly on the left side but also on the right
a little. This dribbles down over the starter area etc etc. Is that dangerous?
Is it fixed with a couple of gaskets and the right sized allen key?
Rocker cover gaskets are cheap & easy to replace. If it's lower down, it might be the O-rings that go under the caps at the top of the heads. You'll see them with the rocker covers off - 10mm Allen key. The next thing would be head gaskets. You could try re-torquing them. If that doesn't fix it, it's not a big deal to pull the heads and replace them (the gaskets that is). Have you got a torque wrench? There are also breather hoses on some rocker covers (not sure about Lemons), but it doesn't sound like them from your description. Probably the 1st thing I'd do is clean it so you can see where it's coming from. "
Date: Thu, 16 Oct
1997 08:41:47 +1100
From: Damian Carvolth <d.carvolth@cat.csiro.au>
Agree to all Bryan said with the following additions:
BB: Rocker cover gaskets are cheap & easy to replace. If it's lower down, it might be the O-rings that go under the caps at the top of the heads. You'll see them with the rocker covers off - 10mm Allen key.
The rocker covers are held on by M6 cap screws thus a 5mm allen key. Just thought I'd clarify that :)
Date:
Wed, 15 Oct 1997
From: Helen Crowe <helen.crowe@deetya.gov.au >
I
don't recommend re-using gaskets either. For the cost of them why
bother? Apart from anything else though, because gaskets are of a
measured thickness, your compression will be affected. The thicker the
gasket, the lower the compression. Used gaskets have been compressed
over time, and will consequently increase compression and may lead to
problems with detonation and the like if re-used. On top of that, small
tears can lead to oil leaks as Damian pointed out.
Date: Wed, 15 Oct
1997 11:32:24 +1000
From: Peter Roper <jkn@dynamite.com.au>
Everyone seems to have different views on the various products available for sealing different types of Gaskets. For a long time I have used Torque-Tight, a copper and gloop type aerosol on head gaskets with very good results. It's major drawback being that it is a pain to remove when the motor comes apart again.
Having said that when I visited Barry Jones at IME in Melboring I mentioned this and it illicited much clicking of tongues and sucking of teeth and discussion of moving gaskets etc. Because the man is no fool and certainly didn't try and impose his viewpoint on me I decided that when I reassembled the Pus Bucket I would just lightly grease, and I mean *lightly*, the head gaskets instead. I have since re torqued them twice and now feel confident they have settled well and will need no further attention until the heads come off again.
Having said that I'm so paranoid I will probably re-torque them in autumn and spring just to be safe. On the other hand for the 'Touring' Motors I think I will continue to use Torque Tight as I have never had any problems and the combustion chamber pressures are lower so the gaskets are less likely to feel the urge to escape.
Dizzy gaskets, Rocker Cover gaskets, Timing chest Gaskets and Sump Gaskets I will continue to lightly grease before installation as I havn't noticed any of these being prone to leakage and the Rear Main Bearing gasket I will continue to Torque Tight. As far as the Gearbox and Bevel Box are concerned I always use a Toyota sealant specifically for gearboxes that is used instead of a bit of paper on their transmissions but I use it as a suplement to the Guzzi paper ones and havn't had a leak since I first used it.
There are probably a million other things just as good but if I find somthing that works well I tend to stick to it unless I hear contrary reports from a reliable source or I start getting problems.
Obviously the correct Torque settings are fairly essential and anyone undertaking anything other than minor maintenance tasks would be well advised to purchase a decent set of tools, including a proper torque wrench prior to dissemboweling their poor old Guzzi.