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valve cover bolts?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by stereomind, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. stereomind

    stereomind Active Member

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    hey folks.

    Well, I just finished replacing my valve cover gasket. First thing I noticed is that the valve cover bolts do not cinch down very well. The side of the valve cover that has the "half-moons" just does not stop leaking.
    In your experience, do you need to replace the bolts or just the o-rings that go on them?
     
    stereomind, Jul 23, 2007
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  2. Spokes81

    Spokes81 Member

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    You should only have to replace the o-rings but each bike is different. Start with those and if it still leaks replace the bolts.
     
    Spokes81, Jul 23, 2007
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  3. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    Careful replacing, those are a special bolt.

    Mine weeps a bit at the half moons too. One of these days I'm going to pull it again and put a dab of sealant in the bottom of the cutouts.
     
    MiCarl, Jul 23, 2007
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  4. stereomind

    stereomind Active Member

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    Carl - it looks like I'll have to do the same thing. I also cut out some o-rings from 1/16" thick rubber sheet and stuck them on the bolts to add some extra cushion between the bolt heads and the original o-rings. That helped a little... I guess i'll crack open my last tube of 1104 and squeeze some under the half moons...
     
    stereomind, Jul 23, 2007
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  5. MiCarl

    MiCarl Active Member

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    I was thinking the same thing, some kind of shim.

    My guess is the shoulder on those bolts is to load up the rubber rings up top - applying the correct pressure to the gasket. I'm a little concerned that overcompressing could cause the gasket to fail prematurely.

    You apparently have a worse leak than me. Takes a week of riding mine to notice oil from them.
     
    MiCarl, Jul 23, 2007
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  6. Polock

    Polock Well-Known Member

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    MiCarl
    i had some Bars-Leaks Rear Main Seal Repair that i used om the wifes Lumina
    and the rear master cylinder piston on my other bike, was leaking kind of bad, worse after it was all cleaned up
    so what the heck rear mains are rubber
    i soaked the piston and seals in the Bars-Leaks a full 24 hours, cleaned it off with alcohol put it all back
    it's been dry as a bone for a month so far
    maybe it will work on your valve cover bolts

    i bought the rebuild kit for the master cylinder but i want to see how long this fix lasts
    the Lumina went from a quart a week to a quart a month....not bad
     
    Polock, Jul 23, 2007
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