Hey, is there a trick to getting the oil filter cover to seal? I just changed my oil, changed the filter and installed a new gasket, but I can't it to seal. I've stripped and sheared 3 studs so far trying to get the cover tight enough to seal!
The gasket has probably slipped out of its groove and gotten pinched between the filter cover and the engine block. If you've been tightening real hard, the gasket is probably severed now, as well.
It doesn't take much torque to seal the cover. Say, "finger tight" plus 1/4 to 1/3 turn.
I would suggest that you:
1) Pull the filter cover back off
2) Inspect the O-ring gasket (positioning AND condition).
3) Make triple sure that the mating surfaces of the filter cover and the engine block are SMOOTH and SPOTLESS. (It's easy to gather road grit down there. If it gets in between things, give it up!)
4) Put a drop or 2 of clean motor oil in each section of the filter cover groove.
5) Fit the O-ring gasket (or its replacement) into the groove. Make sure it has no tendency to pop out of the groove. (Someone mentioned storing their gaskets in a book ahead of time - to keep them flat.)
6) Try tightenting the cover down again. (Don't forget the spring! Been there, done that)[/list:u]
With both my GS500 and my GS450, I've had to find the right amount of tourqe(tightness) individually. My GS450 seems to need the nuts to be slightly tighter(1ft pound at most) to make a perfect seal. One problem I regularly run into is that the O ring was folded. I lay it out before I even touch the bike, and when I get ready to fit it into the filter cover, I use grease to hold it into the groove. Some folks that I've talked to about this only change the O ring when it starts to leak(I'm tempted), but this is a personal decision.
Granted my method isn't the cleanest way of doing things, but it works.
Good Luck
Don
Shadowhawk
I just tighten with two fingers on a nut-driver. There's no need to ever grip it hard, let alone use a socket bar. Also, the first time I changed mine, what tipped me off that something was wrong (the o-ring had slipped) was that the top two nuts turned, then suddenly tightened-up (as felt tightening them with only two fingers). The 3rd, bottom nut got kind-of tight, but just kept turning, without ever giving a firm resistance. This turned-out to be because I was just squishing that rubber o-ring flatter and flatter. All three nuts should have the same feel, where they turn smoothly, then become snug.
I forget what to do when the posts are stripped... maybe use a tap and die to rethread them? Or maybe they arae just little threaded rods, which can be grasped with a locking pliers and turned-out of the block (counterclockwise) and replaced? Anyone?
Quote from: Rema1000I forget what to do when the posts are stripped [...] maybe they are just little threaded rods, which can be grasped with a locking pliers and turned-out of the block (counterclockwise) and replaced? Anyone?
You got it! See item 11 on
THIS DIAGRAM
Yeah .. you shouldn't need alot of torque. I just replaced my filter yesterday. Hand tight and then 1/4 turn with socket driver. I re-used the gasket for the third time. One of the replacement filters came WITH the gasket ... wish I could remember where I bought it because it was the same price but included the gasket. Last time I changed the filter the gasket must have slipped out of the groove before I got the cover on and I ended up with oil all over the floor when I started the bike.
Could RTV silicone be used here?
Okay, so I've done everything Kerry mentioned and it's still leaking. The new filter and gasket are Fram. I'm starting to think the gasket is too thin or something. You think I can use a lot of gasket sealant around it or something?
Make sure the cover isn't cracked. Love, love love...the little 500 that could and the best forum on the web.
Cernunos
To me, gasket sealant sounds like asking for a difficult time NEXT time around. But if you're in a hurry.... :dunno:
A too-thin gasket? Yeah, could be. Is it too late to hold the filter cover (with gasket in place) horizontal, up at eye level? I'm just wondering if the gasket sticks up visibly above the groove.
Also, does the gasket seem to fill the groove from side-to-side? (Do you still have the old gasket, for comparison?)
If you set the gasket-less filter cover on a dead-flat surface, can you shine any light between the two? (Is the cover warped?)
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If you can stand the wait, I have an extra O-ring gasket or 2 that I could send you. (No charge!)
The gasket does stick up above the groove, but it doesn't fill it from side to side and that's what worries me, I wish I had kept the old gasket. The cover is fine, not warped and no cracks.
PM me an address and i'll send a couple gaskets :) .
Now you've got TWO offers, Aero! Not a bad position to be in. :thumb:
Anyone else have extra gaskets? Maybe we could start an oil filter O-ring collection, ala the valve shims collection that never was.... :roll:
Did Aerospike ever get the oil filter cover to stop leaking? If It's still leaking you might try some grease on the o-ring vs oil. I'm interested in seeing why this thing is leaking. Maybe it thinks it's a Triumph...JK. Oh well, ya gotta luv the little things dontcha...this forum too.
C.......
I changed my oil/filter again today, re-used the gasket again as well, but i did compare the two gaskets, and the old one is a bit thicker. I imaging that this is because of the oil slowly permeating into the rubber of the o-ring (petroleum products cause rubber to swell over time).
I think it's very possible that you have a pinched o-ring gasket. if you lay the o-ring in the cover and rub your finger across the surfac, as long as you can feel the rubber o-ring surface above the cover surface, it is thick enough to seal... how much space in the groove doesn't matter.
If your o-ring got pinched...(possibly even before youu got a-hold of it...)
it may look fine, but actually have small holes that allow oil to pass right thru the middle of the gasket.
I'd take up one of the guys offers on a free gasket, or if you can't wait, buy a new filter/gasket kit... save the other filter for next time.
oh!! also! I use a 1/4 inch ratchet with very little torque on my cover nuts. No leaks yet!!
I still can't get it to stop leaking. I don't think there are any holes in the gasket, it leaks too much for just tiny holes. I'll try some grease. I also did take up Rema's offer. So hopefully I'll get that thing runing right soon. Thanks for the help guys .
Quote from: AerospikeI also did take up Rema's offer. So hopefully I'll get that thing runing right soon.
Ack! I just finally saw your posting. Sorry, I did not get your PM at all :o .
Did this leak ever get fixed? Mine is doing the exact same thing. I'm ready to weld it on :mad:
Some RTV should fix it up just fine. Honda recommends RTV on all the weird lil corners on all valve covers and oil pans. I haven't taken off my oil filter cover yet but I imagine a lil RTV would do the trick.
I've done a few more oil changes since that last one. things seem to work better with some brake grease and a new O-ring. I know some of the guys here reuse theiir O-ring, but you get a new one with most filters anyways. Of course be careful with the cover nuts. Cross tighten and stop as soon as you feel some resistance.
Good luck
I think I fixed it, needed a new gasket, I thought the old one would work but I guess it shrank or something. The new one was much more "plump".
Since the new gasket it seems to have stopped leaking. I will take for a spin tonight. :2guns:
yup, it's fixed :thumb: :cheers: