Leaky Cam Cover, warped?
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: California
Leaky Cam Cover, warped?
Good afternoon
I have a 2007 Road King 96 CI. 15K miles. I recently purchased this bike.
About 2 months ago, I found that my Cam cover was leaking oil. I changed the Cam cover gasket. I used a very thin coat of ultra grey on one side of the gasket, the other side of the gasket had a red silicone sealing strip (cover side) so i didn't put anything on that side. After about 150-200 miles I noticed it leaking again (last Thursday) in exactly the same spot. Under the lower cam cover bolt towards the front of the bike.
Is it possible that this cover could be warped?
I don't know the history of this bike, and I'm sure the previous owner knew about it. It was very clean when I bought it. When i had the cover off previously, I didn't notice any damage or cracks on the case or the cover.
Since its leaking in the same spot that would lead me to believe its warped. Is it OK to resurface the mounting face of the cam cover to make sure its flat? How would it warp?
My 2011 Dyna with 96 has never leaked any oil.
Are the genuine Harley gaskets better than aftermarket? It had a metal gasket on it when I took it apart the first time. I assume that's an original gasket. I replaced it with a James Gasket.
I have a 2007 Road King 96 CI. 15K miles. I recently purchased this bike.
About 2 months ago, I found that my Cam cover was leaking oil. I changed the Cam cover gasket. I used a very thin coat of ultra grey on one side of the gasket, the other side of the gasket had a red silicone sealing strip (cover side) so i didn't put anything on that side. After about 150-200 miles I noticed it leaking again (last Thursday) in exactly the same spot. Under the lower cam cover bolt towards the front of the bike.
Is it possible that this cover could be warped?
I don't know the history of this bike, and I'm sure the previous owner knew about it. It was very clean when I bought it. When i had the cover off previously, I didn't notice any damage or cracks on the case or the cover.
Since its leaking in the same spot that would lead me to believe its warped. Is it OK to resurface the mounting face of the cam cover to make sure its flat? How would it warp?
My 2011 Dyna with 96 has never leaked any oil.
Are the genuine Harley gaskets better than aftermarket? It had a metal gasket on it when I took it apart the first time. I assume that's an original gasket. I replaced it with a James Gasket.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 654
Likes: 356
From: Sierra foothills
Except for head gaskets, I try to use harley gaskets on everything else. I try and avoid James
Pull cover off and check with a straight edge. When reassembling, torque bolts in proper sequence, clean threads and a tiny bit of blue loctite, 90/95 inch pounds
Never heard of a cam cover warping but i guess strange things can happen. Check for a nick, gouge or other defect on both surfaces
Pull cover off and check with a straight edge. When reassembling, torque bolts in proper sequence, clean threads and a tiny bit of blue loctite, 90/95 inch pounds
Never heard of a cam cover warping but i guess strange things can happen. Check for a nick, gouge or other defect on both surfaces
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Mmmm
I agree on the James gaskets. That bead of crap they use is garbage.
Except for head gaskets, I try to use harley gaskets on everything else. I try and avoid James
Pull cover off and check with a straight edge. When reassembling, torque bolts in proper sequence, clean threads and a tiny bit of blue loctite, 90/95 inch pounds
Never heard of a cam cover warping but i guess strange things can happen. Check for a nick, gouge or other defect on both surfaces
Pull cover off and check with a straight edge. When reassembling, torque bolts in proper sequence, clean threads and a tiny bit of blue loctite, 90/95 inch pounds
Never heard of a cam cover warping but i guess strange things can happen. Check for a nick, gouge or other defect on both surfaces
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Get a 9"x11" sheet of 80-100 grit sandpaper and lay the sandpaper on something you know is flat. Place the cam cover on top, gasket face down and move it around for a few up/down, round/round cycles. If the cover is warped or there is a divit, it will show up and you will know what you are dealing with.
Last edited by djl; Feb 28, 2023 at 02:51 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 654
Likes: 356
From: Sierra foothills
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Originally Posted by GCracker
I picked up a genuine HD cam cover gasket. Should i put it on dry or use a sealer of some sort?
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