Did I just mess up my cam cover?

[BCRedHaze]

I was going to change my leaking cam cover gasket. I had the dealer do it the first time under warranty. When I got the cam cover off, I noticed what I thought to be some sort of black material that appeared to be painted on the surface of the cam cover mating surface. The marking seemed have the same lines in it of the gasket I had just removed. I assumed the dealer has applied some sort of sealant or coating to make sure the cam cover didn't leak. when they did it. I assumed it had to come off and I started to try and remove it with a plastic razor. It would not come off so I tried some emory cloth and was able to remove some of it own to the bare metal on the cam cover surface. It was a slow going and I ran out of time and was only able to get a small area done.

Is the cam cover mating surface supposed to be clean metal or is the black material there for a reason?

 

[Gerald]

I was going to change my leaking cam cover gasket. I had the dealer do it the first time under warranty. When I got the cam cover off, I noticed what I thought to be some sort of black material that appeared to be painted on the surface of the cam cover mating surface. The marking seemed have the same lines in it of the gasket I had just removed. I assumed the dealer has applied some sort of sealant or coating to make sure the cam cover didn't leak. when they did it. I assumed it had to come off and I started to try and remove it with a plastic razor. It would not come off so I tried some emory cloth and was able to remove some of it own to the bare metal on the cam cover surface. It was a slow going and I ran out of time and was only able to get a small area done.

Is the cam cover mating surface supposed to be clean metal or is the black material there for a reason?

Clean, sounds like they put a sealer on cover. I'd try cleaning surface with lacquer thinner, or acetone. Rubber gasket should be able to seal with or without the sealer as long as a thin covering.

 

[BCRedHaze]

Clean, sounds like they put a sealer on cover. I'd try cleaning surface with lacquer thinner, or acetone. Rubber gasket should be able to seal with or without the sealer as long as a thin covering.

Thank You. I will work to take the rest of it off.

I was watching a video on Youtube on changing the cam cover gasket. The person that did the video appeared to have it on theirs as well which prompted me to question if it should be there.

 

[TURBO200R4]

just guessing
i think that the black covers are made different from the crome covers my 07 has never leaked
the black covers seem to leak and may have uneven paint on the underside.
i am wondering if a machine shop that surfaces heads ect could check it for you.

 

[Gerald]

Clean, sounds like they put a sealer on cover. I'd try cleaning surface with lacquer thinner, or acetone. Rubber gasket should be able to seal with or without the sealer as long as a thin covering.

Should have noted mine has chrome cover, other covers could be different. Mine also has ridges to help hold gasket.

 

[Kevin frazier]

Chrome covers are grooved and easier to put gasket in correctly, black covers are smooth and should be cleaned to the smooth metal, use proper sealant in half moons only, on a black cover you have to check spark plug towers and edges when tightening bolts, new rubber washers are a must and so is torque, these shoulder bolts should not go to full stop or washer gets crushed and cam cover does not keep gasket in correct position.

 

[BCRedHaze]

Thanks All!

My cover is one of the problematic black ones. So far, both gaskets have blown out in the front right which appears to be common with these.

I have the new seals but I may get new bolts. I didn't notice it when I got my bike back from the dealership, but it looks like they used too small a hex bit when they removed/re-installed them and all the hex heads are close to being stripped. When I tried to removed them, some I could have removed with my fingers and some were in so tight, I thought they were going strip/break when I tried removing them.

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

That is just sad the shop mechanic did such a poor job at this simple install. Yes you have to stay focused and make sure everything is done right. But isn't that what we should expect from a professional ?

 

[TURBO200R4]

That is just sad the shop mechanic did such a poor job at this simple install. Yes you have to stay focused and make sure everything is done right. But isn't that what we should expect from a professional ?

we all except to get a good job but it seems that is not what we get when it comes down to it. in my shop i do work for plumbers, carpenters, ect so must of the time i know who to call and if i don't i will call a few of them for recommendations.
it seems to me more company's are acting like doctors like the approach there profession like they have a license to practice and don't give a **** if they solve your problem. it is just give me the money we tried.
so many shops just pass the buck when on a complicated job but that does not make a professional out of you you will never learn to be professional.
a friend once told me you are not in the business of making money you are in the business of repairing transmissions.