Valve clearances

Message

#16 Post by **mangocrazy** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:35 pm

mrapriliafalco wrote:Reading about the new RSV4, they reckoned a valve clearance service will be heart attack material

Well, there will be twice as many valves, and they'll be smaller and fiddlier. Couldn't say about access, but I suspect everything is squeezed in right tight on the RSV4, lovely though they are. And at Aprilia service rates, it'll be spendy...

Just to say, both heads are back together and new shims installed in the relevant buckets. The front head is easier than the rear (no balance shaft gubbins) but access is worse, so it probably balances out (at least I bloody well hope it does...)

A little trick for anyone replacing the cam covers - insert multiple small dabs of thick grease into the groove that the rubber gasket locates in, and press it down well into the groove before fitting. The grease will hold the gasket in place while you refit the cam cover, and ensure you don't nip it while retightening.

falco_phil · #17 Post by **falco_phil** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 3:36 pm

I've found my 'new' falco is leaking oil from the joint between the front head and cam cover. It looks like a fat rubber gasket so how is it leaking? Should these be replaced when the cam cover comes off?

D-Rider · #18 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:28 pm

That'll probably be from where the cam sensor lead passes through. Not an unknown issue.

I think people have fixed it with some sealant - never had the problem myself so you'll have to search for more info.

falco_phil · #19 Post by **falco_phil** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:55 pm

Thanks. How much of a ball-ache is it to get to?

Aladinsaneuk · #20 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 6:32 pm

The search engine?

Ask Andy ;)

#21 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Apr 23, 2014 7:55 pm

falco_phil wrote:Thanks. How much of a ball-ache is it to get to?

Tank off, airbox off minimum. Much easier if you take the throttle bodies off as well, although I believe it can be done without (but I wouldn't want to). Front head is a faff, and it's easy to put the cam cover back on and fit the rubber gasket wrongly, giving rise to oil leaks (which sounds like what has happened with yours).

When I refitted mine, I put dobs of grease in the cam cover gasket channel every 30 or 40mm to hold the gasket in its correct place as you lower it back down onto the head. And the allen bolts (beside being hard to get at) don't need much torque.