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Can I reuse valve cover gasket?

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Mad_Bohemian, Jul 3, 2009.

  1. Mad_Bohemian

    Mad_Bohemian Active Member

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    Slowly starting to piece things back together on the project bike. I pulled the valve cover off to paint it and am wondering if I can reuse the rubber gasket or should I replace it?? It has no cracks or breaks but doesn't seem as pliable as I would guess a new one would be, which is to be expected of 27 yr old part. Here's what it looked like before I started cleaning it....

    [​IMG]

    No telling how long it had been since the bike was (if ever) cleaned. I just don't want to get everything back together to have it start leaking the first time I ride it, which might not be till next year. But then again , I REALLY don't want to get into tearing down a motor....I tend to forget how things go back together (even with pics)lol or parts seems to grow legs and walk away....
    Whaddya think guys??
     
  2. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    I would replace the gasket and the rubber donuts on the bolts. Those rubber and metal donut washers are what actually push the valve cover down against the gasket. The bolts have stop collars that prevent over-tightening.

    Once you've replaced the gasket and the donuts, it's reusable time and time again for quite a while. But the first time I would replace it all. If you skip the donuts your new gasket may leak.
     
  3. Mad_Bohemian

    Mad_Bohemian Active Member

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    Where would I get replacements? Would that be a Chacal thing?!?
     
  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Yeppers. You can buy them elsewhere for LOTS more $$$ Yamaha doesn't sell the donuts any more, but our buddy Len does.
     
  5. xyxj650

    xyxj650 Member

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    Mad_Bohemian sent you a pm
     
  6. PainterD

    PainterD Active Member

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    I didn't replace my old gasket when I did my valve shims and don't have any leaks. That was last year too. I used the red RTV silicone to re-seal the old gasket with great results. The secret is to let it set before tightening the bolts, so it makes a better seal. I just applied a nice even coat on the head and hand tightened the bolts. I let it sit for a good 1/2 hour before tightening all the bolts. It sealed very well. I had a little excess squish out around the edges, but I peeled it off after it set. My gasket and rubber donuts were still in pretty good shape, so I decided to re-use them and it worked. It's worth a try anyways.
     
  7. SecaRob

    SecaRob Member

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    I woulg put a new one on.
     
  8. xj650ss

    xj650ss Member

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    I put on a new one from chacal complete with rubber donuts, of course that was after I tapped and coiled four of the bolt holes courtisy of the po's stunning over tightening techeques! but no leaks now!! do you really want to risk having to do the job twice over a couple of bucks? or risk damaging the threads? I was lucky all of my stripped holes were outer holes had they been inner I would have had to pull the engine to tap them.
    Shaun
     
  9. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    My '81 came "pre-helicoiled" on a couple of the outers. Apparently PO had learned the hard way too.

    You only need to replace it ONCE then it will be good many times over. Same for the donuts.
     
  10. RangerG

    RangerG Member

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    Just finished replacing the valve cover gasket and all the donuts. I had to very carefully cut through the metal on the old donuts with a Dremel tool, then razor knife through the rubber and finally use vise grips to mutilate and pry the donuts off the bolts. When I went to tighten up the cover, I found two stripped holes. When I removed the cover, I found a third hole with lots of metal shavings on the bolt so I Heli-coiled it as well. Luckily they were all outside holes. Everything seems good now.
     

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