leaky cam cover

82 kz1000..just put gpz 1000 cams in her..new cam cover gasket but now it's leakin' worse..should i permatex the end caps?? appears to be where it's coming from..

Don't do what I did and buy the new aftermarket rubber ovals. I did it and two of the four started working out and leaked. I ended up buying the APE brand non rubber half moons. They worked flawlessly. They have a rib one the inside and on the outside so it can't go anywhere. I didn't want to spend the money but it is a one time deal. I think they are around $42 shipped. good luck

brianrae33 wrote:

82 kz1000..just put gpz 1000 cams in her..new cam cover gasket but now it's leakin' worse..should i permatex the end caps?? appears to be where it's coming from..

At some point in the life of the end caps, I had to take them out and clean them and the head surfaces thoroughly and re-install them with good sealer (the FSM calls out sealer must be used on the rubber plugs). When you put the cover and gasket on, you have to run a bead of sealer AT LEAST over the end plugs or they will leak every time. At least, mine does.

I always use Permatex gasket sealer on the sealing lip of the cover caps around the rounded edge part. Any brand of sealer should work though.Place in the groove and after cover is on, wipe off any that has squeezed out. Should stop any leaks.

I had the same leak this year when I put on a new gasket. I used Permatex RTV (the high temp orange one) on the end caps, worked perfectly.

Plummen taught me a little trick I have been using with good results...no leaks!

Permatex Copper Spray Gasket Adhesive Sealant.... Spary both sides of your gaskets, let flash for a minute or two and the gaskets won't leak with proper torque...

The nice thing about this spray is it also helps prevent the gaskets from burning into (sticking) the aluminum surfaces...

On the end caps, I have FBG end aluminum plugs so I use a little Permatex RTV (the high temp orange one) on the end caps as well.... Again, no leaky!

thanx for all the info..figured i should have used some permatex...oh well..will fix this weekend...

I use the Copper coat varnish on gaskets that have been removed more than once. Old school stuff for sure.Roy

This has been talked about quite a bit. My personal opinion is to use Yamabond #4 or equiv, but only on the cam end plugs and only if they are new. If they are removed for any reason or otherwise come loose during disassembly, don't bother reusing an old hardened piece of rubber because it will leak again every time. It may be a day or a year, but they will never seal. On the gasket, put it on dry and it can be reused indefinately.

If you have to use something on them ,,
Use Yamabond or Threebond or something like that.
AND don't use much .
You can "paint" the stuff on with a toothpick or a matchstick .
Works great.

Stay away from RTV ,
The only place for that on a bike is in the rear hub to take some of the slop out of your drive dampers.