3tj cam cover gasket hatred!

[ChowderV4]

ive replaced the cam cover gasket twice because each time they have started weeping oil!!
Ive used new gaskets each time and have made sure both surfaces are clean of any old gasket residue ( which there was little to none both times.....now its weeping again!

It rode fine for a good month before its started leaking both times and its only the left hand side of the cam cover that leaks, i cant see anything obvious with either the head surface or the cam cover surface, could there be some underlying issue here or has anyone had the same problem?

[thunderace]

Have you tried a straight edge across the suspect area of the head? A steel rule is usually a good basic guide as long as it hasn't been battered.

My guess would be a slight imperfection in the head surface or a slightly warped rocker cover. The easy fix would be to lace the gasket with Hylomar Blue on both sides.

[Taggyd]

^ what he said, may be warped a bit, could lie it on a sheet of glass and see if it wobbles any? series 3 landrover side windows work well! but i guess any piece would do!

[ChowderV4]

Ahhh i seee, now heres me thinking these 400 race machines were enginerred to perfection

[thunderace]

Ahhh i seee, now heres me thinking these 400 race machines were enginerred to perfection

Ah, but you've ridden the bollocks off it since

[dobbslc]

Make sure you clean the surfaces with contact cleaner first then put some sealer on the half moon ends.
Stick the gasket down with some more sealer so it won't move as it will try to roll out of its grove. Use a torch to check it's seated correctly after the bolts are nipped up. As you know it's a pig to get at with all the wiring in the way.
It might be worth checking your engine breather isn't blocked as that will force oil out.

[Kayla850]

Ahhh i seee, now heres me thinking these 400 race machines were engineered to perfection

They were, but then they were manufactured to a budget, then add in twenty-odd years of them being 'first big bikes' and, well, you get the gist Have you found a roofing bolt or a wood screw on it yet?

[ChowderV4]

Ahhh i seee, now heres me thinking these 400 race machines were engineered to perfection

They were, but then they were manufactured to a budget, then add in twenty-odd years of them being 'first big bikes' and, well, you get the gist Have you found a roofing bolt or a wood screw on it yet?

Aha no no mines been treated pretty well, havent found anything bad on it yet, i've got some hylomar at work so sort the gasket out in the coming week

[Evilchicken0]

It could be the cover thats warped, I'd say it's more likely. Somebody could have trod on it while it was off in a garage.

[willandrip]

^ what he said, may be warped a bit, could lie it on a sheet of glass and see if it wobbles any? series 3 landrover side windows work well! but i guess any piece would do!

In this case;actually better than their original intended application.!!