Changing valve cover gasket

[borntolandhard]

My first post! I have only had my GL1200A for two months. The right side valve cover gasket just started to leak. Does the oil have to be drained before taking the valve cover off? This may be a stupid question, but I am used to doing this job on parallel twins where the valve cover is on the top of the engine

I will be replacing the right and left gaskets while I'm at it and the 8 rubber mounting washers. Thanks!

[DenverWinger]

No need to drain oil. It all drains to the sump in the bottom of the engine, much lower than the cylinder heads. You will likely have some still sitting in the valve cover when you remove it though. Be prepared for a few drips, but no flood.

There's a good chance the gaskets are still OK. They depend on the force exerted by the four rubber mounting washers (each side) to seal, since the mounting washers are on shoulder bolts they only tighten until the shoulder bottoms out and "that's it". So if the washers are degraded the valve cover won't be held quite tightly.

[borntolandhard]

Thanks! I replace all rubber parts whenever I open something up. This bike was cheap enough. I can waste $14 on a gasket!

[Bike...and Dennis]

I think it's rarely the gasket leaking on a GL12. On the left side it's usually the shift shaft seal and on the right it's the rear cam seal.