Rear cylinder rocker box gasket

[Laroucheyves]

Anyone had to replace the rocker box gasket? Did you need to pull the entire engine out or can it be done just by rotating the engine forward? My 07 XB12 is spewing oil out the back of the rear cylinder rocker box gasket right into my fan... Please let me know if you've had this issue and how big of a job it was to fix.

If the job can be done by rotating fwd, does anyone recall a thread on here with a step by step? I'm pretty sure I saw one once but can't find it.

Anyone knows what caused this? I assume overheating... its just a slow leak but it'll kill my fan in no time I'm sure.

Thx guys

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...Scg/Troubleshooting/OIL-LEAK-ON-REAR-CYLENDER

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/How-to-Engine-Rotation-on-XB-models

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/How-to-Rotate-your-engine--With-Pics

 

[Laroucheyves]

Wow... SCORE! Thx [up]

 

[uly luigi]

yep, use the search function.

 

[cb750]

I did it about a year ago. Be sure to torque and use loctite where needed. Its really not a bad job.

 

[user_deleted]

and use JAMES gasket set if you can find them. still to this day they seem to be the finest quality gaskets in the world for buell and H-D....especially the rocker box gaskets. in their kit are the front and rear breather elbow gaskets as well. good idea to replace them while you're in there as they hold the breather tubes in place on the boxes.

 

[anrkizm95]

and use JAMES gasket set if you can find them

[up]

 

[BuellyBagger]

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/james-rocker-box-gasket-kit-for-harley-evo-sportster-2007-2015

Are these correct for a 07 xb12x? Or does anyone have the correct#? Also does anyone want to come replace them for me

 

[user_deleted]

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/james-rocker-box-gasket-kit-for-harley-evo-sportster-2007-2015

Are these correct for a 07 xb12x? Or does anyone have the correct#? Also does anyone want to come replace them for me

the correct james top end gasket kit # for 2007 and up buells is: JGI-17049-07-X

 

[mmcn49]

-The Buell rocker box gaskets are made of silicone rubber
-HD in their infinite wisdom chose not to go with high temp silicone
-Both my Buell’s developed “Hot Spots” at the rear left corner of the rocker box
-There the gasket was charred into a hard non-sealing piece of carbon
-If replaced with HD gaskets they will char and leak again
-If replaced with Genuine James Gaskets they may still leak
-I do not know if Genuine James Gaskets have a higher temperature rating but they are superior

To resolve the issue once and for all do the following:

-The rocker box gasket is contained within two aluminum flanges
-Coat each flange with; http://www.newmantools.com/chemicals/hylomar.htm
-Hylomar is a flange sealant, not a gasket sealer
-If it makes you feel better go ahead and coat the gasket, you’ll do no harm, BUT
-Make sure you coat both flanges
-Mine haven’t leaked since making the repair and I replaced with HD gaskets

I started using this stuff in the early 70’s on my 72 Beemer. This is one product that really works as advertised.

 

[Cooter]

Wow, never heard of it but I'll order some to check out.

It's only good to 472*F!? Maybe that's enough, I ride pretty fast though:sorrow: Hee hee.

 

[mmcn49]

Don't know what temp HD's are rated at but I think silicone gaskets are rated around 350F give or take. Hylomar is rated at 250C or 482F. I've been using it for over 40 years with no issues, including two Buell rear rocker boxes.

 

[jriffe108]

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?35743-Oil-leak&p=410968#post410968

 

[afpreppie04]

in their kit are the front and rear breather elbow gaskets as well. good idea to replace them

You might want to have some elbows just in case as well. When I did my rocker cover gaskets one elbow was broken (I knew about that one) and the other one was cracked.

 

[mattyMaxMac]

I need of a Helping hand - Rocker Gasket install/South Florida

Hello,
New to the forum and the Buell brand.

Just bought a 07 XB12S with 13k miles. Noticed an oil leak in the rear cylinder, fan stays on.
Opened the air box and saw the rocker gasket is leaking; was hoping it was the breather.

Was hoping to get together with another experience member in this area. Any Help would be much appreciated
Watched all the videos and reviewed all the forums/photos on how to do it
Located in Ft. Lauderdale but willing to meet anywhere in south Florida - Miami, Broward, Palm Beach

Looks like I need this Kit - James Gaskets Top End Gasket Kit for Harley-Davidson JGI-17049-07-X

Thank you in advance:up:

 

[TPEHAK]

Wow, never heard of it but I'll order some to check out.

It's only good to 472*F!? Maybe that's enough, I ride pretty fast though:sorrow: Hee hee.

Did you try this stuff?

 

[njloco]

From what I've read and watched, rotating the engine to change out the gaskets is more of a time factor than a PITA factor. If your dead set against DIY, I think Cooter used to be from FL, maybe he can recommend a shop ?

 

[Cooter]

It's a straight forward job, just plan on a full day without distractions. On the Cooter scale of difficulty I rate it a 3 beers and one thrown wrench.

No one in Florida I can think of Most V-twin shops could do the actual repair no problem, but the access (engine rotate) might scare them and that means it will cost you money if they are unfamiliar with it. If you are handy with basic tools its a total DIY.

Na, TPEHAK I never did get that stuff. I have had really good luck with the James kits. I would hope that 350* would be enough, and I doubt your issue is heat related. I do dab the corners of the gaskets with hi-temp silicone (the red, not the copper FWIW) and I've never had to do it again. 'knocks wood'

 

[TPEHAK]

On Amazon this stuff has 100% 5 stars feedback. It looks like it works.

 

[Cooter]

I can't see any downside with it either, give it a shot?
It's hard for me to justify changing a procedure I've had 100% success with