Winter repairs (rocker cover gaskets)

[rockerphotographer]

I guess the cold weather has finally set in here and decided to take care of some overdue issues. I posted a thread a while back and found my breather grommets leaking, well they were definitely leaking as well as my rocker cover gasket on the rear cyl. I was expecting to find old destroyed gaskets, but was surprised when the cover came off. Here's what I found, just wanted to share with everyone to get some ideas on what happened.

Here's the grommet leaks. I had cleaned the rear cover off previously, you can't tell in the pic but there is actually fresh oil seeping out around the seal on the rear. Pics are in order of front/rear

You think I have a leak somewhere?

May not see it, but there is fresh oil on the outside of the gasket and outer edge of rocker box...

This is what the inside edge of the gasket looked like, only on the very rear of the gasket. Is this what they look like when cooked?

All cleaned up with fresh gaskets New breathers and grommets as well. Maybe I won't be riding this bike as much in 105 degree heat any more...

Thanks to wiznut for the pictured engine rotate thread!!!

*edit - I forgot to mention, I recommend doing other maintenance like spark plugs/wires, header gaskets, and general cleaning while the engine is rotated, especially the header gaskets if nothing else. Although the engine rotate is easy, it's still time consuming and I don't want to have to do it again until next winter if need be

 

[wiznut]

Thanks to wiznut for the pictured engine rotate thread!!!

Glad it helped!

 

[rockerphotographer]

Just looking for some feedback on this. Has anyone seen their old gaskets look like this? I couldn't tell if the old gasket had shrunk any. Next to the new one, it looked the same except the discoloration.

 

[wolfo68]

just looked worn out to me.

 

[taylor]

I did this last year because I had oil leaking everywhere. The stock gasket im guessing shrunk. If you compare a new one next to the old one there is a huge size difference. Once I replaced the gasket I have had no oil leaking anywhere.

 

[jimijeans]

Yes those gaskets seem to last a short time I used a VERY Thin red Silicone sealant on the bottom of the new gaskets then pressed them in let it dry for maybe an hour then repressed in and tightened just snugly. retightened to specs afterwards . no leaks in that area FOR NOW! nice pics.,and wright up too. Check that fan for oil residue!*Jimi[up]

 

[rockerphotographer]

I had already gummed up a fan, I have a new one in there now. Thanks everyone for the responses!

 

[hdstn]

I did mine over the summer since it decided to blow and cover the rear tire with oil. My gaskets looked worse than yours btw. Visibly smaller and very hard. In short the rear was cooked and I live in the northeast. I since have added a RSS.

Little disappointed in all, those gaskets should be a higher temp silicone/material. Having that type of failure, on a bike with less than 14k on it at the time is pretty sad.

 

[rockerphotographer]

I think if I have to do it again I'll use "The Right Stuff" on the gasket the way jimijeans did...

I did everything right though, I double checked the torque on the cover bolts, made sure the breather grommets were solidly planted and sealed. The new grommets definitely seem tighter pushing the breather through.

I have an RSS too, but it was already leaking at that point so we'll see if it helps next year.

 

[jimijeans]

Yes it is sad how H/D is so cheap on Buell Quality. Now when I say a [THIN] Coat (paper) Thin! On the bottom of the Gasket then Press it Right in. Then right before I put the Top Rocker Cover on (LESS) than 30/minutes. If It is Cold then use a GENTLE heat about a foot away maybe a blow dryer for a (few) minutes. Then put it together and let it sit for 24/hours tightened properly, Especially if it's Cold Weather!.Usually the Engine Rotation back up and in the Bike Frame is long enough.
You want the sealant to be set up enough, AND it will still be soft & SQueeze properly w/out damaging the Seal itself while putting the Covers on. Don't get (Distracted) and lose Track of your time OR Think you can just finish it the Next Day!
I used my own Bike as the Little pig for that Experiment. So far it's been good to go.I've done 11/Buells Like that so far with good results. When my Bike was new in 2008 the Engine had 2'847 miles on the Bikes Engine, and the Rear Leaked Bad! Under Warranty & yes I literally had to make them install a new fan. The Front one Leaked at just over 4'000/miles.Friggin Warranty Dept.,did both jobs seperately.
Make sure to use A Thin Coat of (Red) High Tep. Sealant,YOU Can't use Black on the Covers!High Temp Only. I had to replace those again at 7'400miles but the bike was out of Warranty.
So I Rotated down the Engine and figured on doing it Differently cause what they did wasn't cutting it. Got 17,890miles and so far so good. I also rewraped the Electrical Harness due to the Heat issues with the Engine. *Jimi

 

[TPEHAK]

I have 2009 Buell XB12Scg. The rear rocker cover is leaking. Where can I buy full set of gaskets for the front and back rocker covers? Will this set work good https://www.amazon.com/James-Gasket...qid=1401458584&sr=1-1&keywords=JGI-17049-07-X ?