Using Black RTV when replacing cam cover gasket.

[Rocket Scientist]

Back in my Harley days all gaskets needed sealant. I found the Permatex black RTV made the gaskets slide out even if allowed to tack. Didn't have that problem with the Loctite black RTV.

 

[sonny]

I'm getting leaking at various spots on my cam cover, kinda strange considering it's a 2013 with only 6000 miles on it.

I have over 25,000 miles on a Rocket X bought new in Nov 2015. At 10,000 miles I did a valve clearance check and the Gasket was shot. Replaced the seals around the bolts and gasket At a little over 25,000 the valve cover was leaking. I may have rushed it a bit because this time when I removed the gasket I found it was not centered very well in certain areas. Leaks everywhere as I found out. The guys on the older bikes do not have this problem. I thought maybe the valve cover itself was warped. so this time we checked it out at work and it is fine. Kind of makes me wonder if Truimph did not change manufacturers of the valve cover gasket on the newer models. Would explain a lot. This time I am going to go slow and pay close attention to the location of the Gasket while torqueing it down.

 

[1K9]

The main problem seems to be around the spark plug holes. Now, since the joint is not flat, it's grooved, how do you check if it's flat and what do you grind off to fix it?

 

[sonny]

I took mine to work and checked everything out, Afterwards doubting myself I had one of the lead machinist take a look at it and watched him. Dial indicator gauge worked out rather well. It took him half the time to check everything but we came out with the same results. We both used the CNC mill for the check.