Valve cover gasket k1100LT

[zalle]

Hi guys,

My K1100LT's valve cover gasket needs replacement. Where can I buy it (in Europe please)?

Anything else I should replace while doing it? Any seals/gaskets?

Thanks

[The Mighty Gryphon]

is there any oil seeping out around the valve cover bolts?  If so, I would replace their rubber seals.  At least the ones that aren't sealing. 

[zalle]

Nope..  there isn't. But if they're not expensive... Shouldn't I change them anyway?


Where can I buy this stuff?

[Martin]

 I use both of these and have found both to be a good source and they will ship.   https://motobins.co.uk/index.php    https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/index.php
Regards Martin.

[zalle]

Guys, help me out, which one do I need??? It's the big one on the left hand side...

https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=40&Ct=BA&SbCt=BA_15_40_BA_70

[Laitch]

Guys, help me out, which one do I need???

There is only one left hand cam cover seal at the link you supplied that indicates it fits the cam cover of a K1100LT. That is the seal I would order if I were looking for one.

[Martin]

K75's K100's had a two piece gasket inner and outer the K1100 has a one piece gasket ENA61396.
Regards Martin.

[Scott_]

Where is your cam/valve cover gasket leaking.... there are about 4-6 locations that are to have some liquid gasket sealer applied with the gasket to avoid leaks(the gasket alone won't seal 100%).
If a previous repair/service didn't have new sealer when the gasket was put back in, it will leak.

[Laitch]

If a previous repair/service didn't have new sealer when the gasket was put back in, it will leak.

+1

[The Mighty Gryphon]

+1 The sealer is almost more important than the gasket, especially at the rear end where the head was cut away when the cam bearing surfaces were machined.  The molding of the gasket makes holding the tolerance on that half circle chunk of plastic rubber very difficult.  It seems that many are undersized and need help, thus the requirement for some goop.

[Laitch]

The mating surfaces of the cover and the head should have no oil residue on them; otherwise, there will be leaks that will require disassembly, thorough cleanup then reassembly.

[zalle]

Hi guys, thanks for your help. The leak is mostly  in the left front side. It then goes all the way back to the end of the cam cover. It was dirty, now I cleaned it and will have a better understanding of the situation soon. There is also some oil in the front and in the exhaust system, but it may well be the same leak. It's not much, but I don't like leaks.


So you guys think maybe I should just use the same gasket and just clean everything up and seal it properly instead of replacing it?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Are you sure the leak isn't at the timing chain cover?  How about the rubber grommets that go under the heads of the valve cover?

Before I dropped the kind of money BMW gets for those rubber parts I would clean everything up real good, put it together and see where the leak is, if any.

[zalle]

I guess you are right...  :2thumbup:

[Scott_]

The front cover over the timing chain is sealed with gasket sealer(aka form-a-gasket) only--there is no rubber gasket.

+1 to what TMG said about the round rubber pressure grommets on the cover mounting bolts, they are required to have elasticity(ie not stiff and hard). The elasticity is what maintains the pressure on the main valve cover gasket(and crankshaft cover gasket as well). I've had to replace the grommets on mine, both sides(head and crankshaft side) as they wouldn't keep the cover tight on the gasket, and the gasket was leaking.
What ever you do, do not attempt to tighten the valve cover bolts without a torque wrench. The bolts are a shoulder bolt, meaning they only screw in so far and stop. Too much uumff and you will break them.