Clean up gasket mating surfaces

[lewisnort]

Hi all, I'm pulling all the covers off my 98 K1100 to give them some paint as part of a complete refresh, what's the best way to clean this corrosion off the gasket mating surfaces? I obviously don't want to go too hard and I'm afraid to ruin the seal.

In terms of removing the HES so I can get the chain cover off is there anything I need to be aware of so as not to affect the timing, or even a procedure I need to follow to keep it all in check?

On a side note, is there anything I should be doing while I'm in there, already planning to check the valve clearances.


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[natalena]

Years ago I had the brick apart and ran into the same observation. Used a large piece of glass pane on the bench with White Diamond polish to "clean and true" the surfaces. Easy to do with even pressure and pre-clean with acetone and a plastic scraper.
Enjoy, Cheers
* opps, noticed it's the block side .. I'd still use a small flat glass and compound, but very careful not to spread a mess into the engine.

[lewisnort]

Thank you, the head side is much worse as I sadly found out last night so I'll order some stuff and give that a go I think.

I did see Chris Harris replace a sump pan and use a foam sanding block to very gently prep the surface but I don't think that would even scratch the surface pun intended.

[Laitch]

I don't see enough damage in your photos to warrant doing anything more than cleaning the surface with solvent, using a tan or maroon ScotchBrite abrasive pad to clean the surface, installing the gasket and bolting on the cover. If small pits have been made in the surface, a skim coat of Black RTV or Dreibond could be used as a surface sealant. Follow directions concerning curing time of that stuff before bolting up.

[lewisnort]

It was a good job I took these covers off and decided to do all this, I was turning the engine over doing the valve clearances when I noticed a washer up by the cam sprockets, I knew it came from inside due to how oily it was.
After looking around I managed to notice the retaining clip for the chain guide was missing along with it's washer.
A bit more searching and I found the clip amongst the sludge of the oil pan.

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[Scott_]

I'll offer a bit of advice here, a torque wrench will be your best friend when putting the covers back in place.
As long as you have them already off, I would also replace the rubber grommets (11 14 1 461 475) for both the crank cover and valve cover. They definitely loose their elasticity with age, and it is the elasticity that holds the covers tight to the gaskets.

[lewisnort]

I'll offer a bit of advice here, a torque wrench will be your best friend when putting the covers back in place.
…
As long as you have them already off, I would also replace the rubber grommets (11 14 1 461 475)

Absolutely, I’m new to working on vehicles still so every bolt I touch is terrifying, first thing I did was buy a big and a small torque wrench, and I have a replacement for every single gasket and seal possible in the engine. If it’s coming off a replacement is going on. Also found some stainless steel bolt kits on kpartsholland I plan on using.