Valve cover oil leak

[maury]

I have completely restored both a '75 and '76. Everything is dialed in and running great. One annoying thing is that even with OEM rubber gaskets installed, BOTH sides of BOTH bikes leak oil along the bottom. Is this just something ya have to live with? Or, apply sealer (type?). The oil collects directly along the base area and not from around the bolts (new grommets on them as well).
As always,
Thanks for any help.

[desertrefugee]

New rubber grommets under the bolts? Makes a big difference.

[BlueThunder]

I have found that some valve covers are not "flat" (most likely warped by heat or improper tightening), thus allowing oil to weep or leak. I have used HondaBond (or ThreeBond) gasket sealer (the one that doesn't harden and remains semi-plyable) does an excellent job in stopping the leaks. Easy to remove with a rag dabbed in gasoline for the next time after checking valve clearances.

[Rat]

Some (not all) aftermarket rubber grommets/washer thingies are too skinny to apply enough pressure ....

Gord

[Steve81GL1100]

Do some checking to make sure it's actually the valve covers leaking. I have a leak on the left side of my 1100 that I first thought was the bottom of the valve cover gasket leaking. Replacing the gasket and bolt grommets had no affect. Further investigation showed it to be the front cam seal weeping, and the oil naturally follows the vc gasket down to the bottom, off an exhaust stud, and onto my boot...
Steve

[hatchward]

My 82 drips on my left boot even after replacing all grommets ,gaskets,shifter shaft seal and swapping valve covers left to right.I gave up.Its a vintage motorcycle.It's supposed to leak

[maury]

As always..........
I am very appreciative of the responses and the knowledge held within them.

[Steve81GL1100]

I gave up.Its a vintage motorcycle.It's supposed to leak

I keep trying to convince myself that. If it was any other make of bike, I'd be fine with a small drip. Hondas are not supposed to leak, though....
In my case, I think I must've nicked the new cam seal during installation. I will replace it, but I'm not that motivated right now so I put up with it. I'll take care of it next winter when I do cam belts again and already have it apart.
Steve

[77Gowing]

I too have a mystery drip. It is intermittent and only shows up after a few days layup. I just keep an eye on my oil and live with it. I too will wait until it's belt changing time to replace the cam seals, where I think this is pobably coming from.
I used OEM VC seals & Randaak VC grommits.

[Sidecar Bob]

Mine does the same thing and mostly on the left side, too. I've tried lots of things over the years like laying a bead of silicone in the grooves in the covers and letting it cure before assembly and adding rubber washers between the bolt seals and their chromed caps and a few years ago I even splurged on a set of bolt seals and cover gaskets from Georgefix. When that stopped the covers from leaking (I think) I noticed that the oil is coming from the timing belt housing so it looks like the camshaft oil seal is the culprit. I have been wondering if the oil is getting on the timing belts and whether that is a bad thing but hopefully they will hold up until I install the new engine, which will have brand new oil seals and timing belts.

[hatchward]

I rebuilt the left head a couple of years ago after a belt snapped so everything is new.I just live with it.

[CYBORG]

Old school to fix this problem is a product by 3M called "Emblem adhesive". Most call it elephant snote, cause it,...well has the consistence of snote. A layer between the gasket and the head does the trick

[hatchward]

Thanks Cyborg,I'll give it a try next time I adjust the valve clearance.

[jdvorchak]

+1 on the Honda bond grey. It never really dries and is easy to remove if needed. A little goes a loooonnnggg way.

I use an acid brush to paint both surfaces with a very thin coat, let it sit for 5 min then put the parts together.

[Gowing]

With new Honda gaskets and bolt rubbers I still get some light seeping on both sides after every ride. Brake side is the worst. But very little and easy for me to live with. Just wipe er down a bit.