New OEM Valve Cover Gasket Leaking...

[newomij]

New OEM valve cover rubber gasket leaking at the roundover near the timing belt cover. It seemed a little large when I seated it into the cover but not so much that I didn't think the bolts wouldn't draw in down tight. I've removed it again, played with it a bit trying to reseat it into the cover channel, reinstalled and tightened it to the limit of the bolts but, it's still leaking in the same place.

The guy working on it before I found this totally awesome forum and now I do my own maintenance used some sort of blue sealer painted onto the gaskets. Is that a recommended option to help seal them? If so, what would it be called?

How would the pros approach this issue???

Thanks one more time for the excellent help!
Jim

Ps I just replaced the front cover again. I bought a cheap torque wrench that didn't work so well and broke a bolt holding the cover in place. Of course, I had to take it all back off, remove the broken stud, and replace it again.

[WingAdmin]

The valve cover gaskets are actually a thick foam type material, and are designed to be installed and removed often (to give access to the valves, which are a maintenance item). After some time, they will wear out and need to be replaced, but are readily available.

They shouldn't need any kind of sealant added (I suspect the blue sealant you're seeing is RTV, which is a permanent sealant that shouldn't be used on valve cover gaskets). If you're still having issues, I think my first step would be to remove any trace of the blue sealant and let the gaskets work against the bare metal of the head like they were designed to work (and they do work well this way).

[virgilmobile]

One more thing...The bolts...They also have a thick rubber seal on them and help to secure the cover to the head.The bolts have a shoulder on them and will set at a specific height.If the rubber seals on them are the wrong ones or badly deteriorated ,they may not be much help in squeezing the cover tight to the head.

[dingdong]

The valve cover gasket may not be the problem. It could be the front camshaft oil seal that is leaking and running down the valve cover gasket. It can leak around the outside edge. My 1000 is leaking there right now.

[newomij]

It could be the front camshaft oil seal that is leaking and running down the valve cover gasket. It can leak around the outside edge.

What does the 'front camshaft oil seal' look like. Will oil leaking from this location be easily detectable? What will that repair process look like?

[dingdong]

There is an oil seal at both ends of the camshaft where it extends through the head. The rocker arm bracket bolts down and holds them in place at both ends. Honda recommends a sealant around the outside edges of the seal before bolting down. In order to re-seal you have to remove the rocker arms. I am just living with it until I get an inclination to dig in there. It's not leaking bad just annoying to see the drops on the floor.
Edit: It is a normal oil seal about 1 3/4 " across. Not really easily detectable though. Mine is leaking from the rear and I can see that the outside of the seal is wet with oil. At the front is a different story as it is behind the timing cover.

[newomij]

Update: Turns out the oil leak was from the valve (side) cover gasket I purchased on EBay. It came in a sealed bag with Honda product label but I wonder if it really was OEM. The difference was the section of gasket that wraps around the half round ends was ribbed. The OEM gasket is flat every where it meets the engine. Found two used OEM gaskets and four valve cover bolts in great condition at a used motorcycle shop and paid $2 for all of it. Took the leaky ??OEM?? off and replaced it with a good used one and problem solved. Felt so good to get back on my bike, go for a 30 minute ride, and come back with no oil on my boots. Thank you, Goldwing Docs!!

[dingdong]

Great you found the problem. Now go for a ride.

[WA9FWT]

There is an oil seal at both ends of the camshaft where it extends through the head. The rocker arm bracket bolts down and holds them in place at both ends. Honda recommends a sealant around the outside edges of the seal before bolting down. In order to re-seal you have to remove the rocker arms. I am just living with it until I get an inclination to dig in there. It's not leaking bad just annoying to see the drops on the floor.
Edit: It is a normal oil seal about 1 3/4 " across. Not really easily detectable though. Mine is leaking from the rear and I can see that the outside of the seal is wet with oil. At the front is a different story as it is behind the timing cover.

Is the leaking on the right side of the engine, fuel pump side ? Had that problem too.I removed the fuel pump and the spacer gasket and put on RTV....No more oil on my boots after a ride.Oil does get into the fuel pump to lub,so far No problems running this way for many a mile.

WA9FWT Phil

[newomij]

Update: It's been several weeks since the oil leak issue. It turned out to be the "OEM" valve cover gaskets that I now believe were not oem but wrapped and tagged to look as such. After replacing the leaking culprit with a very good used gasket I found at Bent Bike in Seattle, the leak stopped completely. Thanks once again for all the help.

[LittleGoldy]

Well y’all that little read was nicely informative, however, stoooooopppiidd me bought a really good set of those Show Chrome valve covers and the oil leaking was driving me mad. So, not that I could find it here, but, seems them @&$*^%# covers are well known leakers and I DID have to use RTV sealer but now my ¥£€%#*^^$&@ sassa frassin valve bolts grommets appear to be worn out. Geeeeeeezus, help me. Ok so everyone sayin avoid Saber Psycho Biatch but can’t find the right ones anywhere else. Can someone shoot me some info on a different source?? I’ll buy from dat batty biatch if I have too but I’d rather not. Thanks Y’all.

[Rambozo]

Why not just get the real ones from Honda?
90541-371-000

[LittleGoldy]

Why not just get the real ones from Honda?
90541-371-000

Nice part number. Too Bad I was not talking about the Grommet Buttons leaking Rambozo, but, nice try and Thanks for the good attempt. I need the Cover Gaskets not the button gaskets.

[DenverWinger]

It's the grommet buttons that hold the valve cover tightly against the head. If the rubber in the grommet buttons is compromised, they won't leak but you won't have full pressure on the main valve cover gasket and it will leak.