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PO strikes again!!! Valve cover question....

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Scholz, Jul 17, 2009.

  1. Scholz

    Scholz Member

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    Ok.....

    So I checked My Valve Shims this eve and they are all in tolerance...

    Ext.
    1 .007
    2 .007
    3 .006
    4 .006

    Int.
    1 .004
    2 .004
    3 .005
    4 .006

    I didn't take them out and read the values on them....
    I also didn't replace the gasket.... It was fine but not silconed or stuck on...

    I have a couple questions.

    1. There was alot of oil under the valve cover... not like a ton but there was pools of it on the valve shims. Is this normal and cool?

    2. This is where the PO comes in. One of the valve cover screws is stripped Kinda Tightens down but free spins and never really gets tight. Is there a way to fix this? An easy cheap way? Or the best way?

    3. Can someone explan the propane method of checking for leaks? How would I check if the valve cover is air tight?

    Thanks once again...


    I'm new to wrenching on bikes and well I'm a computer geek....
     
  2. rob_lit79

    rob_lit79 Member

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    1. I would say it is normal for some oil to pool above the valve buckets.

    2. I would drill it out and tap it for a helicoil.

    3. The propane method is for check for air leaks around your intake boots and carbs. With the engine running use an UNLIT torch move it around your boots and carbs. If there is an air leak it will suck the propane in and the engine will increase rpm.
     
  3. Scholz

    Scholz Member

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    so how would you check for leaks in the valve cover ( same method? )
     
  4. Pseudonym

    Pseudonym Member

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    no, sir. make sure the gasket is seated properly and tighten down the bolts. You might decide to use gasket sealer on it, but from my experience you don't need any there. There is not a lot of pressure against that gasket so it shouldn't leak. And the propane method is to check for intake leaks, the gasket would be leaking out oil... So you will see it if it is leaking :D
     
  5. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    You'll know the valve cover isn't leaking if there's no oil running down the motor.

    When you had it apart, was the gasket still completely flexible and pliable everywhere? Or were some areas of it stiff and maybe even crumbly?

    As long as the gasket is still 100% flexible, it's fine. Most of these bikes' origianl gaskets have baked crispy and need to be replaced the first time they're disturbed. I can't give you more accurate advice without knowing what bike you have, the YICS bikes had different valve covers than the early bikes.

    Maybe your PO traded you a new gasket for a stripped bolt. One of my bikes came "pre-helicoiled" on a couple of the outer bolt holes, courtesy my PO.
     
  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    One more thing: .004" is actually .101mm; spec is .11mm, if your intakes are right at .004" then they're tight and need to come down one shim size.

    Likewise the exhaust: .006" is actually .152mm, spec is .16mm, the exhaust valves that are right at .006" need to come down one size too.

    The imperial ("American") equivalents aren't the true spec; the metric specs are. Yet another argumant for using a metric feeler gauge.
     
  7. Scholz

    Scholz Member

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    i have metric feeler gauges.....
     
  8. Scholz

    Scholz Member

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    The gasket is new....


    I also have a new one..

    Now to spend more money on a helicoil kit.... 6M coarse??
     
  9. bill

    bill Active Member

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    What bike? I don't think they are all the same. On my 650 its 6mmx1 I had to helicoil one of mine too
     
  10. Scholz

    Scholz Member

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    at least it's an outer one...

    drill it out with the cover on or off?

    It's a 1983 xj750
     
  11. bill

    bill Active Member

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    Off and put rag to stop filing from entering cam area.
     
  12. Robert

    Robert Active Member

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    Had to use inserts to repair two of my valve cover bolt holes. Then I noticed that all the other outside holes had been repaired already. P.O. was rough on this bike. I used the key locking inserts and the results were a lot of work!
     

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