Head cover gasket

[YamaDuck]

My Venture sprung a leak. I have done a search but none of the situations seem to give me any help. The left head cover gasket is leaking. Not bad but it leaks and I don't like it. It is the gasket near the top of the engine (right under the chrome covers). It has just started. My Venture is 9 years old and has 47,000 + miles on it. I have a few questions;

 

1) Will it hurt to keep riding it until I have a chance to fix it?

 

B) Is it something I can do or should I take it to a dealer?

 

3) If I do take it to a dealer is it very expensive to fix?

 

D) Should I change both now or just the one that is leaking?

 

[Marcarl]

It won't hurt a thing, other than to make things dirty. If it starts to really leak bad, you'd better keep a close eye on the oil level.

You can do the work, it'll take some time but you can do it, we'll help you on line if need be. Do them all at the same time, the cost isn't that great. While you have the covers off it would be a good time to check valve clearances. So give yourself some hours of relaxation and contentment working on your own scoot.

[YamaDuck]

Thanks for the support. I was reading about the valve adjustment on a 1st gen and they talked like it was quite involved. So I assume a 2nd gen is easier?

[SteveW]

Hi Harry

Check and make sure the bolts are tight on the valve covers. We can always do it in my shop ae a winter project.

Steve

[MoRiverRat]

Mine (left rear cylinder) did the same thing this summer. It was the bolts on top of the chrome cover. I tightened them up and no more leak. 5 min job.

 

[YamaDuck]

Yea it's my left rear also. I'll check the bolts. Do you just tighten them down or do I need to torque them down? Thanks.

Thanks Steve for the offer. If that's what it needs I may take you you on that offer. I'll let you know if the tightening works. The 82 Maxim runs great. Harry has an appointment for the safety course on Sept. 24, and 25th.

Thanks guys,

Harry:thumbsup2:

[SteveW]

Just make them snug and that should fix it. Wish Harry well on the course and tell him to take it easy on the 82 it has plenty of power.

Have a good one

Steve

[saddlebum]

My Venture sprung a leak. I have done a search but none of the situations seem to give me any help. The left head cover gasket is leaking. Not bad but it leaks and I don't like it. It is the gasket near the top of the engine (right under the chrome covers). It has just started. My Venture is 9 years old and has 47,000 + miles on it. I have a few questions;

 

1) Will it hurt to keep riding it until I have a chance to fix it?

 

B) Is it something I can do or should I take it to a dealer?

 

3) If I do take it to a dealer is it very expensive to fix?

 

D) Should I change both now or just the one that is leaking?

 

Get some Harley emblems stick em on each side of the fuel tank and no one will ever notice:rotfl::rotfl:

[yamadawg]

Be a little careful tightening the bolts up. The bolts that actually hold the head cover down are shoulder bolts and will only tighten so far down, and if you are like me you'll snap one. No fun at all. There are rubber washers or grommets under each bolt that really provide the tension there. The obvious heat on top of the motor seems to harder them up with time and in my humble opinion they should all be replaced when you replace the gaskets. The job is a little tedious but not really all that bad. Doing it twice because the old washers on the bolts were compromised would be a real bummer. :doh:I have done the job on two first gens but not on a second, but the 2nd looks like there is more room to get the job done and that is the biggest challenge.

 

The Yama part number for the rubber washers (you'll need 16 of them) is below:

4KG-1111G-00-00RUBBER, MOUNT 1

And for the gaskets (one for each side) themselves:

4NK-11193-00-00GASKET, HEAD COVER 1

Like they said above I'd do both sides while you're at it. Otherwise... new leaks next week. Never fails...

 

Good Luck, and I hope this helps...

Don

[YamaDuck]

Thanks Don that helps a lot.

Harry:thumbsup2:

[RandyR]

There's a list of the torque specifications in the Tech Library.

[YamaDuck]

Thanks Randy

[N3FOL]

It won't hurt a thing, other than to make things dirty. If it starts to really leak bad, you'd better keep a close eye on the oil level.

You can do the work, it'll take some time but you can do it, we'll help you on line if need be. Do them all at the same time, the cost isn't that great. While you have the covers off it would be a good time to check valve clearances. So give yourself some hours of relaxation and contentment working on your own scoot.

 

+1. After 9 years, I would not be surprised to see a leak but this is minor. Get all your parts on hand before you tackle the job...as mentioned ealier, valve adjustment (if needed) time is perfect for this. Ride safe.

[YamaDuck]

Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure I have everything I need before I start.

Harry:hihi:

[YamaDuck]

Well I tightened the bolts but it still leaks so I've ordered the parts and I guess I'll put a new gasket on it when it gets here.