[edthetermite]

Is there anything you can do with the brass crush washers under the bolts on the timing cover? I can't tighten them any further. There's a point where you're asking for trouble when dealing with aluminum cases.

They are dribbling at a noticeable rate. The oil from the head gasket flows down and joins the timing cover leaks to make a nice waterfall off the bottom of the case.   

Ed

[Leonard]

You could try annealing the washers.  I've had good luck using just a touch of Permatex Ultra Copper Silicone Gasket Sealant.

[Lahti35]

You could try annealing the washers.  I've had good luck using just a touch of Permatex Ultra Copper Silicone Gasket Sealant.

Right-O..... I anneal my copper washers everytime and no leaks from them

[The Garbone]

You can put a composite gasket on the head for that leak..

[Kevin Mahoney]

If your bike is a 1995-1999 put two crush washers on the inside of the banjo fitting.

[The Garbone]

If your bike is a 1995-1999 put two crush washers on the inside of the banjo fitting.

On the head or timing cover or both?

[Kevin Mahoney]

Head, The bolts can be ever so slightly too long or the hole too shallow. We used to fight this on certain bikes in the early years. Have used it on my own bike.

[enfield freddy]

if you are talking about the banjo bolts , then dowty washers are your friend

[edthetermite]

You can put a composite gasket on the head for that leak..

Gary,

I HAVE put a composite gasket on the head for that leak! That's what is on it now if your referring to the new "conforming" gasket that RE released awhile back. That was the second attempt by the dealer. It held for about a 1000 miles before failing. And yes I had re-torqued the head bolts.

When i finally take the head off for decarb I would REALLY REALLY like to resolve this issue once and for all.

Ed

[edthetermite]

If your bike is a 1995-1999 put two crush washers on the inside of the banjo fitting.

Kevin,

My banjo fittings are one of the few things NOT leaking.....   

Ed

[edthetermite]

if you are talking about the banjo bolts , then dowty washers are your friend

Fred,

What are dowty washers exactly? They have some sort of chamfer it looks like....

Ed

[dogbone]

they are real nice, a washer with an o ring built in. they may be available in the states, I bought a bizillion from Feked in merry ole England. the best invention since nipples
sorry to step on your tail Freddie !

[icarus]

Yep, they are very good! I'm also using them on my engine and gearbox drain plugs.

[edthetermite]

they are real nice, a washer with an o ring built in. they may be available in the states, I bought a bizillion from Feked in merry ole England. the best invention since nipples
sorry to step on your tail Freddie !

Anybody know of dowty washer sources this side of the pond?

Ed

[ace.cafe]

Anybody know of dowty washer sources this side of the pond?

Ed

Most dealers for Earl's Supply racing plumbing will have them, and also the similar Stat-O-Seals.
You should be able to find a variety of shops with a google search for them.

[edthetermite]

Decided to go the el cheapo route as that is usually my style... 

Removed the tranny cover bolts and applied black permatex to the bolt head lip and washer faces. After 150+ miles no leaks!

Now if I could just stop the mini-waterfall coming outta the head/barrel seam.....

eD

[single]

Look,Ed,since you seem to be able to,like metojustify the bodge approach,you mite do as I have done and poke a bunch of hi-temp silly-cone all round the head barrel joint.Clean it with starting fluid untill absolutely sterile.Jolly was leaking badly and has been dry for at least 2500 mi.Of course,this,too,will fail but it takes a while,evidently.

[bob bezin]

it  ' will  lower your compression a bit but you could put in a  second head gasket . this will work but the right way to stop this oil weep at the pushrod channels is to remove the head and grind down the barrel spigot.

[edthetermite]

it  ' will  lower your compression a bit but you could put in a  second head gasket . this will work but the right way to stop this oil weep at the pushrod channels is to remove the head and grind down the barrel spigot.

Bob,

When we had the head off two different times at the dealer's shop we checked the spigot clearance and it did not appear to be a factor. Did we overlook something?

Ed

[ace.cafe]

Bob,

When we had the head off two different times at the dealer's shop we checked the spigot clearance and it did not appear to be a factor. Did we overlook something?

Ed

You have to make sure the head seats far enough down to crush the head gasket to seal the oil.
Sometimes it just doesn't quite make it, and it leaks.
It seems that the composite head gasket is a little thicker and "squishier" so it often will seal when the other head gaskets don't.

In any case, Bob is correct. You have to have the spigot mating home  in the recess around the chamber, at the same time that the bottom surface compresses the head gasket to seal the oil. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it just right.
But it's really the only way to properly get it done.
If the spigot is holding the head off the barrel too far, no amount of tightening in the world will get it to seal. It just strips the threads off the studs.