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Oil leak - valve cover gasket

24K views 57 replies 27 participants last post by  Mokkybear 
#1 ·
After my 10,000 km check-in earlier in the summer, I noticed oil on my bike's parking pad in the shed - a few drops. Sure enough, the engine is slippery with the stuff. Took it to BMW Toronto today - diagnosis: valve cover gasket failure. And no parts available. The service guy is currently fixing the same problem on another F8. Waiting for my appointment. Feeling disappointment. All I can think of is the old saw about Harleys - "If there's no oil under your Harley..."

I wonder if torquing the bolts (assuming that was done as part of the service, as stated in the list of stuff) left the gasket out of sorts. There was not a spot of oil prior to that...
 
#34 · (Edited)
Andreas - MaxBMW lists the part as:
07 11128520621 SET: GASKET SET, CYLINDER HEAD COVER
No superseded part is shown.

When I replaced mine recently (previous one fitted in 2008 ), each of the gaskets had an embossed number that was one digit higher in each case than the old gaskets.
 
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#35 ·
Andreas - MaxBMW lists the part as:
07 11128520621 SET: GASKET SET, CYLINDER HEAD COVER
No superseded part is shown.

When I replaced mine recently (previous one fitted in 2008), each of the gaskets had an embossed number that was one digit higher in each case than the old gaskets.
For what it's worth, the part number list for "GASKET SET F800ST" during my recent 20000km service was the same as the above.

Cheers,
Andreas
 
#36 · (Edited)
Just joined this Forum and am wondering if anyone has tried to correct this problem by just installing the newer type BOLTS ???
I wanted to attempt that fix but was advised that BMW does not sell the Bolts individually. I believe the problem may be tension/pressure related and thus may buy the Whole Kit and just undo old Bolt and replace with New Type. If this does the job will certainly get something going to advise all concerned.

Contacted three BMW Dealers and they all had three or four Kits in stock. IT IS A PROBLEM which is well known and we should be able to correct situation for less than $200.00 Plus

RJJ
 
#37 ·
Just joined this Forum and am wondering if anyone has tried to correct this problem by just installing the newer type BOLTS ???
I wanted to attempt that fix but was advised that BMW does not sell the Bolts individually. I believe the problem may be tension/pressure related and thus may buy the Whole Kit and just undo old Bolt and replace with New Type. If this does the job will certainly get something going to advise all concerned.

Contacted three BMW Dealers and they all had three or four Kits in stock. IT IS A PROBLEM which is well known and we shold be able to correct situation for less than $200.00 Plus

RJJ
Welcome to the forum Ralph [:D]

It's been my experience that once a valve cover gasket begins leaking to any great extent, you can't really stop the leak with just new or retorqued bolts. Even in this instance, where the bolts were redesigned to put additional pressure down on the cover. There's only so much that's going to do anyway, and I think there have been more than a few reports of the "new" gasket upgrade kit still leaking, if it' wasn't put on with persnickety precision. (and or heaps more gasket sealer lol)

FYI Max BMW parts fiche lists the gasket kit for $72.55 US (plus any taxes and S/H of course)

That sounds a wee bit better than your $200.00+ figure... (or are you counting that as a dealer replacing the gasket for you?)
 
#38 ·
I have not priced cost of having it done at a Dealer I was quoting a price mentioned by one of the forum members. Price of Kit here in my area is $93.00 Cdn. Thus am sure $200.00 is close to what it would cost to have it done by a Dealer. Ouch!! Wondering if Problem still exists in newer F 800`s.

Would think BMW would look into the matter since it is a well known PROBLEM.

RJJ
 
#39 ·
I have not priced cost of having it done at a Dealer I was quoting a price mentioned by one of the forum members. Price of Kit here in my area is $93.00 Cdn. Thus am sure $200.00 is close to what it would cost to have it done by a Dealer. Ouch!! Wondering if Problem still exists in newer F 800`s.

Would think BMW would look into the matter since it is a well known PROBLEM.

RJJ
It is a well known problem, and has been for years. But it's hit or miss about individual dealerships actually acknowledging it, or doing diddly squat about it. Some dealers apparently are pretty good about such stuff, others are the very definition of "Asshat", like always.
 
#40 ·
Ralph,, how bad is your? I had mine for about 4000 miles before I got it fixed by my dealer for the 12k miles svcs. 1.5 hrs of time, including valve check. If the leak is small, just wipe it off and enjoy more till you reach 20000km, I know it is pain, but it is a BMW, thus part will be expensive (wait the rear wheel bearing and the drive shaft, you will be crying!!!!)
 
#41 ·
I think I win on this one.

My '08 ST has less than 3000 miles. (In my defense, I bought it used months ago with 1500 miles.) Finally had a chance to take it in for a safety check and lo and behold - valve cover gasket leak. Is this possible??? I had a wtf moment. Odd thing is, I read this thread this morning, then got a call from the dealer in the afternoon giving me the $210 news [B)]

So from now on, I'm going to avoid reading any threads about the rear bearing issue.

I hope this is not indicative of the future with this bike. Starting to wonder if I should just resell the damn thing.
 
#42 ·
:empathy post:

Ya, my 2009 bought in 2010 is a puking gusher too. Just got back from a little tour thinking I'd deal with it "later" and ugh. When I went to wash it post trip, I don't even want to look under the fairings again...shudder. What a gawdawful mess in there. [:(] When I start it up now, puffs of blue smoke roil out from the top triple clamp area, from oil dripping on the exhaust headers.
 
#44 ·
Thanks for the empathy, right back at ya LBS.

This is absolute Bovine Scatology. Is it a design flaw, in which case I guess I understand why they don't fix this issue. Or is this a part flaw?
BMW claimed they fixed the problem awhile back. Apparently, 4-5 model years later, with Exxon Valdez II in my back yard, I beg to differ...

The gasket leaks due to the cover bolts not applying enough pressure; IMHO poor design, and the rubber grommets were too thin and/or the bolts were too short in the threaded section (or the shoulders were too long, take your pick) The "new and improved" gasket kit comes with different bolts and thicker rubber grommets. The gasket I believe is the same, but instructions were added to put more sealant in the left front corner where the leaks almost always come from.

Of course BMW won't sell any of the gaskets or the bolts themselves, you have to buy the entire gasket kit, which up here in Canadia is over $100.00 dollars after taxes, I've found.

All my previous motorcycles over the past 40 years have never leaked from the valve cover gaskets, and I never even considered having to replace them, with many years of repeated off/on valve inspections done. (and even if I did have to replace them, they would have been dirt cheap to do so)
 
#45 · (Edited)
I have the same issue, but more than just the valve cover.
The oil leak on the right side at the middle seal and another leak at the bottom seal close to the exhaust.
Is not dripping on the garage floor yet, but seem to be getting worse. I wonder how much it would cost to repair all those seals...

If I clean it, those area get oily again in a few days.
 
#47 ·
Hi Guys

Was out of town for a few days.Interesting to see new posts. Will just say that I will be wiping Valve Cover Gasket area til F 800 stored for Winter. BMW should have their engineers look into feasibility of adding at least two more mounting/fastening points as am very confident problem, as implied by most posters, is related to a more evenly distributed Downward Pressure on the Gasket. I would hope six pressure points would be sufficent to correct this Totally Unacceptable Problem. We are in 2012 n`est pas. A Leaky Valve Cover Come On !!!

RJJ
 
#49 ·
BMW specifies a sealant in the corners of the D. However, the older cover bolt assemblies weren't durable in the long term and tension on the gasket diminished over time, leading to leaks.

You could use a quality sealant all over the gasket (such as Yama-bond) but it will be a pain to clean off when it comes time to check the valves again. I replaced my gasket and bolts at 40,000 km service and haven't had a weep in the last 15,000 km.
 
#50 ·
Hey Mark, can you clarify, you used the new gasket/bolts at 40,000 kms and didn't use sealant? or just used sealant around the D seals... and recommended torque on the bolts?
 
#52 · (Edited)
Used a quality silicone sealant (suitable for engines with an oxygen sensor) at the places recommended by BMW. Torque is 10 Nm for the rocker cover bolts. I've attached a picture of where the sealant goes and a picture of the old and new style bolts. The bolts should be replaced with the gasket (that's how they're sold, anyway - as a kit) as the rubber compresses in service and won't maintain the required pressure indefinitely, especially after being removed. The bolts actually tighten against the lip at the end of the thread rather than by continuing to compress the rubber.

As a bonus, attached is the service sheet I use, which includes some handy torque values.

Font Logo Computer monitor accessory Metal Graphics

Household hardware Auto part Gas Engineering Composite material

Font Number Parallel Document
 
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#57 ·
Used a quality silicone sealant (suitable for engines with an oxygen sensor) at the places recommended by BMW. Torque is 10 Nm for the rocker cover bolts. I've attached a picture of where the sealant goes and a picture of the old and new style bolts. The bolts should be replaced with the gasket (that's how they're sold, anyway - as a kit) as the rubber compresses in service and won't maintain the required pressure indefinitely, especially after being removed. The bolts actually tighten against the lip at the end of the thread rather than by continuing to compress the rubber.

Mark (or anyone else that has changed their gasket) - did you notice that when all new gaskets and new bolts are used and torqued to spec - the valve cover does not fully compress the gasket? The gasket seals against the engine, but the valve cover does not seal fully on the top of the gasket - almost seems like the rib of the gasket that fits into the valve cover is just a tad bit too high. I don't think it will be an issue and result in a leak, but just curious.
 
#53 ·
No valve adjustment required at my 40,000 km service.

Measured clearances for exhaust valves was 12 thou at 20,000 and the same at 40,000.
For the inlet valves they were 7,7,8,8 at 20,000 and 8,8,9,9 at 40,000.

Spec is 11-14 for exhaust and 7-10 for inlet. (I still prefer to work in thousandths of an inch for valves, even though Oz has been metric for eons - gives me better resolution with the feeler gauge sets I have).

I'm not expecting much change at 60,000 as I don't rev the engine hard (rarely above 5,500, and normally below 4,500). Even though I stick to the 20, 40 60 thousand km check schedule, at each check my GS-911 indicates I have about 5,000 to go before the next valve check. (The on-board computer in effect measures 'engine hours' to assess valve check needs.)
 
#54 ·
Thanks Mark for the info.
I had my Dad make up some cupped steel washers on his lathe. I then placed them under the valve cover bolts and retorqued them to spec, without removing the stock weepy gasket. This did help reduce the weeping, but not totally. Being the cheap bastard i am, i will be reusing the old gasket with a liberal amount of yamabond applied to the critical "D" areas when i do my winter maintenance. I am at 21,000 km on my 2007 s model.
 
#55 ·
Back again. Just received E-Mail informing me there had been new posts. Too bad members not immediately e-mailed when new post occurs so as to enable one to stay up to date. Am a member of BMW Z 3 forums and they operate/re-act more quickly.

In any event, will at this time just repeat my comments of before. One would think BMW, realizing PROBLEM can be doctored (Not Fixed) with new Type Bolts, would enable owners to buy these Bolts as a Seperate Kit and there by pacify us til we/they can rectify the matter (Fix Design Flaw, Better Gasket and maybe two more Fasteners/Bolts Six rather than Four) once and for all.

RJJ[:(!]
 
#56 ·
Cheers Mokkybear, for the extra info on clearances and for the bonus, I'd just started to collate a handwritten list of torques for my bike tool draw.
 
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#58 ·
It's been almost 20,000 km since I last checked the valves, but my rusty recollection is that the top-most surface of the gasket seals against the inner groove of the cover, rather than the bottom face of the cover pressing against the flange of the gasket.

This would make sense as it reduces the prospect of oil pooling against the gasket flange surface, with a greater potential for leakage. I'll update this when I check the valves next month.
 
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