Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: pcaddict66 on November 14, 2014, 12:55:54 PM
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2008 Connie.
The first time it was leaking from the front left corner of the valve cover. It was replaced under the GTPP coverage. I re-up'd the coverage for 3 more years over the summer and I am happy I did it because the bike has started to leak oil again from the same area.
Why? Possible uneven mating surfaces between the valve cover and top of the head? For you guys that have had the valve cover leak, has it returned again? Leaking from the same area?
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It's possible the valve cover is warped or otherwise uneven. The head could be warped but generally an oil leak would be the least of your worries in that case.
What about the possibility that the dealer who fixed it under warranty didn't change the gasket out for a new one (which would be the correct thing to do) but rather put some Permatex on it and called it a day?
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Are you sure it's the cover and not the cam sensor oring?
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I seem to remember something about that and why (assuming valve cover).. Let me see if i can find anything on it..
Throw this 'concours 1400 valve cover leak' at Google and see what comes back. It's been discussed by more than a few with more than a few 'fixes'.
I would take it back to the dealer if it were me as you have the extended warranty.
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It is a design flaw in the engine that actually goes back to the ZX 1400 in 2006. There is too much surface area on the seal (flat face) and not enough pressure (one, the other or both as you like) to make an effective seal.
Unfortunately a dealer is limited to what they can do- they must use factory parts and follow the factory method.
There are a couple of methods to address this issue that seem to work pretty well; one is to put a thin bead of RTV sealant under the seal in the groove in the valve cover, assemble the cover onto the engine loosely and after a couple of hours, tighten it fully. Another method is to put thicker washers, or additional washers under the heads of the valve cover screws. Both accomplish the same thing- to put more pressure onto the sealing surface. We have to be careful doing these things though as too much pressure and something will break, most likely the valve cover itself will crack.
A quick Google search should turn up lots of detailed information on this problem.
Brian
2008 Connie.
The first time it was leaking from the front left corner of the valve cover. It was replaced under the GTPP coverage. I re-up'd the coverage for 3 more years over the summer and I am happy I did it because the bike has started to leak oil again from the same area.
Why? Possible uneven mating surfaces between the valve cover and top of the head? For you guys that have had the valve cover leak, has it returned again? Leaking from the same area?
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It is definitely the valve cover. I shared your ideas with the service manager at the dealer fixing it under the extended warranty and they were receptive. He liked the RTV sealant method and promised me he'd try it. They have been great in the past with my bike so I am confident he will follow through.