Learning2race
Expert Class
Posts: 138
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posted November 30, 2009 07:14 PM
Valve cover leaks
I've had a slow oil leak from my valve cover above cylinder #1 for some time now. It's still the original gasket. I've torqued it down a little tighter, but still the leak continues.
I've just about got the motor out of the bike now (no real reason other than to kill some time pretending to be a mechanic this winter). Once it's out, I'll want to solve this issue.
Question then is: anyone aware of factory deficiencies invloving the valve cover/cover seating on 2007 models? Just checking to see if I should be looking into anything other than a new gasket.
Thanks
  
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3000psi and falling
Zone Head
Posts: 848
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posted November 30, 2009 07:48 PM
Mine did the same, I just put m6 washers under each cover bolt. Its been 10,000 miles since with no sign of oil leaking. You dont have to pull the motor to do this.. Both the old and the new style gaskets dont make a good seal, the problem is in the length of the cam cover bolts shoulders. You dont even have to remove or replace the gasket, just remove the bolts and install the washer then re torque. Good luck . .
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08 ZX14, 2010 Persimmon Red bodywork.
Flies pulled, 16-42, BMC street, 8" extensions, drag shock, cut pan, Cycle Concepts Drag Pack and springs, muzzy m14 w/ oval can, lowered, Shinco usoft rear, pcv with autotune, leightweight Shori 18ah battery, throttle meister. 500lbs at bandimeres scales with half tank of juice.
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Learning2race
Expert Class
Posts: 138
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posted November 30, 2009 08:13 PM
Thanks - I'll give it a try.
Pulling the motor really is nothing more than an exercise to see if I can do it - welcome to winter in Canada! So far, so good, however I do have to wonder just who the Kawasaki engineers thought would be working on this bike - can anyone with hands larger than a 6 year old actually reach in to pull the coils off the center two plugs?!
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smokinZX14
Needs a life
Posts: 10197
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posted November 30, 2009 08:18 PM
 Edited By: smokinZX14 on 1 Dec 2009 04:19
You don't have to pull the coils to add washers..
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Smokin Performance Cycles..
Tampa Bay , FL .. Brocks Performance Dealer ..
Gen 2 ZX14R Best ET 8.43 , Best MPH 164.95
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dcjens
Pro
Wet side of Washington
Posts: 1059
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posted November 30, 2009 08:38 PM
I wondered the same thing...I think Japan is still mad about that whole Hiroshima Nagasaki thing and laugh because their small hands fit in small places just fine.
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Black 06
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted November 30, 2009 09:16 PM
mine leaked like a harley too and Kawi never could do anything about it. They tried sealer, shorter bolts, host of new parts, gaskets, etc
makes me scared to buy a Connie14 cuz on their forum they complain about the same. But I may buy one anyway!
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted November 30, 2009 11:09 PM
I lived with my leak 3 years now, maybe I'll get after it this winter. rain washes the oil off.
I aint scared to get the 2010 Connie. The only thing holding Me back is time.
Apparently KHI listened to riders/writers input and fixed most all the complaints and added afew other goodies.
Perfect bike for this year round rider.
ABS
traction control
lean fuel map
Heated grips + improved screen MMmmmmm!!!!!
And mainly did something about the heat and lousy stock tires.
Too bad our 14 didnt get any improvements.
I did my own.
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Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted December 01, 2009 10:42 AM
mine started seeping after 10000 miles, at 12500 i got smokin to replace the gasket and we used washers to shim it tighter. Its fine now. I still laugh every time i hear about steve trading his 14 in because the ass clowns he had working on it coudnl't get a valve cover gasket to seal. lol. the 2006 is running like new!
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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3000psi and falling
Zone Head
Posts: 848
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posted December 01, 2009 04:30 PM
quote:
Mine did the same, I just put m6 washers under each cover bolt. Its been 10,000 miles since with no sign of oil leaking. You dont have to pull the motor to do this.. Both the old and the new style gaskets dont make a good seal, the problem is in the length of the cam cover bolts shoulders. You dont even have to remove or replace the gasket, just remove the bolts and install the washer then re torque. Good luck . .
CORECTION M10 washers.
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08 ZX14, 2010 Persimmon Red bodywork.
Flies pulled, 16-42, BMC street, 8" extensions, drag shock, cut pan, Cycle Concepts Drag Pack and springs, muzzy m14 w/ oval can, lowered, Shinco usoft rear, pcv with autotune, leightweight Shori 18ah battery, throttle meister. 500lbs at bandimeres scales with half tank of juice.
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 01, 2009 07:31 PM
quote:
mine started seeping after 10000 miles, at 12500 i got smokin to replace the gasket and we used washers to shim it tighter. Its fine now. I still laugh every time i hear about steve trading his 14 in because the ass clowns he had working on it coudnl't get a valve cover gasket to seal. lol. the 2006 is running like new!
differewnt sets of ass clowns EACH time. 3-4,000 miles apart. I got tired of it. fvck a bike that leaks, even harley fixed theirs!
But I have trust Kawi has it right now on these later bikes.... may pull the trigger on a C14 soon 
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted December 02, 2009 09:04 AM
quote:
quote:
mine started seeping after 10000 miles, at 12500 i got smokin to replace the gasket and we used washers to shim it tighter. Its fine now. I still laugh every time i hear about steve trading his 14 in because the ass clowns he had working on it coudnl't get a valve cover gasket to seal. lol. the 2006 is running like new!
differewnt sets of ass clowns EACH time. 3-4,000 miles apart. I got tired of it. fvck a bike that leaks, even harley fixed theirs!
But I have trust Kawi has it right now on these later bikes.... may pull the trigger on a C14 soon
luv to rag ya on this 
____________
2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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Newf14
Zone Head
2007 ZX1400
Posts: 563
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posted December 02, 2009 01:11 PM
I had a valve cover leak on my 07, had the gasket replaced when the valves got done. I was reasured by the mechanic that it wouldent leak again. We will see I think it will leak again.
Newf14
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted December 02, 2009 02:39 PM
quote:
I had a valve cover leak on my 07, had the gasket replaced when the valves got done. I was reasured by the mechanic that it wouldent leak again. We will see I think it will leak again.
Newf14
Sadly A gasket won't fix it 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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LOCK 2121
Expert Class
Posts: 160
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posted December 02, 2009 05:31 PM
The washer's are the way to go easy fix , pull a bolt any valve cover bolt , take it with you to LOWE'S they have thick brass washer's that fit the bolt perfectly , stop by NAPA or any auto parts store, get avation forma gasket , to seal the space between the brass washer & bolt head, use 1/4 inch drive socket's the bolt's have realy small thread's , tighten down carfully, if you look close you can see the valve cover gasket squzze out just barley , that's it !
the littel washer's look good their anyway , don't slop the forma gaskit sealer all over them, at least wipe off the exsess, silver on yellow on black with no leak , some pride that you fixed that big mess so easey!!
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LOCK 2121
Expert Class
Posts: 160
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posted December 02, 2009 05:39 PM
One more thing don't tighen to tight the bolt's have shoulder's once seated they dont tighten, down no more they strip that's what the washer's do take up space,
don't like washers , mill down the bolt bosses , that should keep ya busy all winter.
some of the 07 head's were made on the Toyota line bosses milled wrong
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 02, 2009 06:02 PM
quote:
quote:
quote:
mine started seeping after 10000 miles, at 12500 i got smokin to replace the gasket and we used washers to shim it tighter. Its fine now. I still laugh every time i hear about steve trading his 14 in because the ass clowns he had working on it coudnl't get a valve cover gasket to seal. lol. the 2006 is running like new!
differewnt sets of ass clowns EACH time. 3-4,000 miles apart. I got tired of it. fvck a bike that leaks, even harley fixed theirs!
But I have trust Kawi has it right now on these later bikes.... may pull the trigger on a C14 soon
luv to rag ya on this
so did those ASSWIPES that messed with my leakie bike! hehehehe
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted December 03, 2009 09:40 AM
somebody got a sweet 14..... 
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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butta4hc
Expert Class
Posts: 313
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posted December 04, 2009 02:58 AM
I had the same deal on mine. Had my mechanic replace the gasket. Just before my accident I noticed ANOTHER fine drip. I tried to act like it wasn't there but when I looked again it still was. I plan to do a major rebuild over the winter. I will have to look into that M10 washer thingy.
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Butta
Hot Commodities MC
Paterson, NJ
2006 Black ZX-14 - Recall Frame Swap, Full Muzzy GP Exhaust, PCIII, BMC Race Filter, Flies Out, Braided Front Brake & Cutch Lines, Muzzy's Radiator Fan, Engine Ice Coolant, Frame Sliders, SubFrame Sliders, Puig Dark Smoke Windscreen, Powerbronze Hugger, Cox Radiator Guard, Unswitched Powerlet Outlet under seat, Switched Powerlet Outlet On Right Duct Panel, Intergrated Tail Light, HID lights high and low beam, Blue corner marker lights, Eclipse License Plate Blackout Kit, Black Pazzo Levers, Scorpio Alarm, Lojack Theft Recovery System, Rapid Transit Triple Tree Bag, Cortech Tank, Tail & Saddle Bags and the bragging rights for being "The Fastest 14 In The Country" for a few weeks when the 14 made it's debut here in the states.
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LOCK 2121
Expert Class
Posts: 160
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posted December 04, 2009 07:47 AM
After bringing my 14 home from dealer , found this web site read about the leak , it appered soon , used bike 3000 mile , dealer washed it off ,sold it to me .
after reading about it , I followed what the other people did , washer's , the bosse's in the cyl head are too tall , or valve cover bolt's too long , setup does not put enough squezze on the gasket !! very pissed at kawi , leak frame crack , flie issues.
Dont care about any of it any more , love the the damn thing more than any of the 19 previous motorcycle's , want one more to ride , one to race, maybe C14 mod. mine.
7000 miles now no leak's need tire's chain 1/2 life , pipe's power comander , no problum's
will need battery 07 bike .strong bike lot's littel part's
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 04, 2009 07:48 AM
they're just leaky bikes.
maybe, like Harley, they'll resolve the leaks once and for all!
if you fix a leaky one...wait about 4-5K miles and it'll be back once again
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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bigdtd
Needs a job
Interceptors
Posts: 4209
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posted December 06, 2009 08:59 AM
quote:
they're just leaky bikes.
maybe, like Harley, they'll resolve the leaks once and for all!
if you fix a leaky one...wait about 4-5K miles and it'll be back once again
not if you fix it right! had many hondas the leaked more... besides it is a small price to pay to ride the baddest bike on the planet, smooth...powerful...unmatched topend charge.... and enough comfort to last for a long ride.... and you traded for a torture rack 1000???
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2006 Black ZX-14,6 inches over,16/42, flies out,BMC Street Filter,Brock's Street Meg,Brock's Radial Mount Strap,PClll with Race map,Dynojet LCD w/Techmount, ZX-14 fender eliminator,Pilot Power2CTs,Speedohealer,Pazzo Levers,Cox Radiator Guard, Garmin Nuvi 265WT
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 06, 2009 08:37 PM
Edited By: SteveWFL on 7 Dec 2009 04:37
dude...remember I traded the very MORNING after I got my bike back from the twisties of NC/TN too 
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted December 06, 2009 09:31 PM
Edited By: SteveWFL on 7 Dec 2009 05:31
quote:
dude...remember I traded the very MORNING after I got my bike back from the twisties of NC/TN too
look at this big thing trying to corner 
but Lisa made the trip worthwhile (and i got to borrow this sweet gixxer for a few twisties too while slaying the dragon)
____________
2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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TooHype
Expert Class
Go Hard or Go Home !!
Posts: 427
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posted December 07, 2009 04:56 PM
quote:
The washer's are the way to go easy fix , pull a bolt any valve cover bolt , take it with you to LOWE'S they have thick brass washer's that fit the bolt perfectly
I saw some where someone said to use thin washers, thicker washers make more since.
Could someone post pix of the proper M10 washer to use ......That would be helpful.
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Go Hard or Go Home !!....2007 Diablo Black ZX-14, BMC Race Filter, Brock's Alien Head, Brock's Radial Mount Strap, PClll with Custom Map, Flies removed, Muzzy fan, Muzzy lowering links, Muzzy Fender Eliminator, 16/41, Speedohealer, Stretched 6", Lowered 3" IN GOD I TRUST !......If You’re a Hater….KILLYASELF !!
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Learning2race
Expert Class
Posts: 138
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posted December 08, 2009 09:22 AM
Forgot to sign in - hope this doesn't become a duplicate post
I'm interested in the spacer thickness as well. Further, once the spacers are in place, is the valve cover being secured to factory torque specs? Increased torque?
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