Valve cover

I need some advise to be able to reuse the valve cover for longer times.

1. I have tried not do anything, then I damaged it the first time I took off the cover.

2. I have tried to apply grease, but then it sweat when I use the bike....

What can I do?

Do you mean the gasket?

One method for preserving the gasket. Remove all of the valve cover bolts. except for the bolts on the ends >> loosen those so that there is a few mm of clearance above the valve cover. Then using a suitable pry tool & mallet, break loose the valve cover >> tap or whack the pry tool with the mallet. Then lift the valve cover a little & use a flat tool or blade to separate the gasket from one of the surfaces >> whichever surface the gasket has already come loose from the most. Then remove the end bolts & carefully remove the valve cover, making sure the gasket isn't stuck anywhere & pry/separate the gasket from the surface as necessary.

Also, to reuse a paper gasket, I spray the gasket with Liquid wrench silicone spray lubricant. spray the gasket to saturate it, then let the gasket sit overnight in a plastic bag. note: some silicone spray has acetone, CRC brand for example. I don't like the idea of acetone in silicone spray.

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Thank you, good plan!

Paper gaskets I've sprayed with LW silicone: float bowl gaskets. pulsing coil cover gasket. generator cover gasket. valve cover gasket.
As you already know, you have to be careful about what you put on gaskets. Something like a valve cover won't matter that much, because it's relatively easy to replace that gasket. The generator & pulsing coil cover gaskets are normally dry (ie, no contact with engine oil), so spraying them or using grease shouldn't matter with those gaskets either.

ps: a can I had from several years ago specifically listed treating paper gaskets as one of its uses.


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I will use silicon spray next time I do valve shimming.