leaky valve cover gasket

[MojoMoto]

I was warming up my engine today and saw a bubble come out of the valve cover, between the top of the rubber and the cover where the arrow is on the picture, and on the picture it looks like there's random oil or something leaking out. The other side looks clean. My questions are is this common? how would this happen? how would this make the bike run? Is it hard to replace? And last, where would I get the part to replace it?

I have a 97 gs500 w/ almost 30k miles, i dont know that its ever been replaced. Also, would it be a sign to replace or check other things on the bike.

Thanks for your help.

David

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/images/threads/000/191/968/2949070-engine.jpg

[OldFatGuy]

Probably wouldn't hurt to check the valve clearance while you have the valve cover off to replace the gasket.

[afm199]

temp fix that might last ten years is to clean it with some brake cleaner, dab some RTV silicon on it, and let it set up.

[Dopesick]

Ultra Black RTV Silicone from permatex, for the win!

[rick]

Ditto! That gasket can last the life of the bike. Clean it up, reseat it and add some silicone if you still can't get it to seal. Some valve covers have arrows on 'em indicating areas that should have RTV anyway.

[Zerox]

Hey rick, Speedshop Santa Cruz went out of business like 3 yrs ago, when you gonna take that dead link out of your sig line? :p

[ALANRIDER7]

Originally posted by rick
Ditto! That gasket can last the life of the bike.

Not quite.

[MojoMoto]

http://permatex.carshopinc.com/product_info.php/products_id/42304/82180

Is it this one?. I think I'll try to reseal it. Thanks for the help guys.:teeth

[OldFatGuy]

How much can a valve cover gasket possibly cost? Why not just do the job the right way? :confused

[rick]

Originally posted by afm956
Hey rick, Speedshop Santa Cruz went out of business like 3 yrs ago, when you gonna take that dead link out of your sig line? :p

Fixed it for ya!

[mercurial]

why even fix it at all, its on a 97 gs500 and its just barely seeping.

[MojoMoto]

aren't any leaks in that area bad?

[mercurial]

you sir, have obviously never owned a harley :laughing