ST1100 Valves and Cover Gaskets

[swilliams1005]

Im having to replace my valve cover gaskets due to oil leaking pretty good on both sides while i have them off would probally be a good time to adjust the valves. Is this going to be a hard job or fairly simple. I have some mechanical knowledge but never done this before.

 

[dannyk]

You probably want to check them to see if they are out of speck or not, adjusting them requires removing the cams etc. they are shimed valves so if they are in speck no need to do anything.

 

[swilliams1005]

WOW removing the cams that dosent sound fun!!! I hope they are in spec.

 

[hawkeyeST]

WOW removing the cams that dosent sound fun!!! I hope they are in spec.

It's not bad at all. Much easier on the 1100 than the 1300. Here is an excellent description of the procedure:

http://home.insightbb.com/~mmartin36/Valves.htm

 

[swilliams1005]

It's not bad at all. Much easier on the 1100 than the 1300. Here is an excellent description of the procedure:

http://home.insightbb.com/~mmartin36/Valves.htm

I always forget about Mike's website. I plan on reading up on it thanks a bunch.

 

[docw1]

I just finished this procedure for the first time. Checking the valve clearance is no problem, just need some feeler gauges and be able to rotate the engine with a ratchet wrench. If you need to change shims, it seems daunting until you get into it, and take your time. There is a shim kit running around that has tools and an assortment of shims (not all sizes, so you may have to swap some out at the dealer) on the ST-Riders site. There is also a video (included in the kit) that shows the procedure. I found it once, posted on the web, but it didn't play very well. Can't remember where. Several folks (myself included) have it on their computer or on DVD and would probably send you a copy if you'd like.

Bill

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

Hi Stephen,

I'm guessing that just a little "Pro Honda Hondabond HT high-temp, silicone liquid gasket" carefully smeared on the valve cover gaskets in their 'half-moon' areas would solve your oil leak. BTDT as have many others. I have 112K on my 91 SSMST with the original gaskets. I suspect Rob still has his also.

<edit: don't overtorque the valve cover bolts in an attempt to seal the covers better, you'll only break the bolts (others have!). You could, however, replace the washers under the bolt heads as they will compress some over the years.>

ST1100 valve clearance/shim change video:
http://www.twistedsys.net/~bbettin/shim.htm

STOC shim kit loan:
http://www.stocrallies.com/st-riders/index.php?board=15.0

HTH

Regards, John

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

Whoa...

Forgot about Will England's work on the shim video. Good links and info here:
http://www.stocrallies.com/st-riders/index.php?topic=1098.0
be sure to read the errata notes.

Regards, John

 

[George]

John, ya beat me to it. Good job.

 

[swilliams1005]

Thanks guys i will be doing alot of reading before i attempt this. The video is a large file WOW.

 

[hawkeyeST]

Hi Stephen,

I'm guessing that just a little "Pro Honda Hondabond HT high-temp, silicone liquid gasket" carefully smeared on the valve cover gaskets in their 'half-moon' areas would solve your oil leak. BTDT as have many others. I have 112K on my 91 SSMST with the original gaskets. I suspect Rob still has his also.

<edit: don't overtorque the valve cover bolts in an attempt to seal the covers better, you'll only break the bolts (others have!). You could, however, replace the washers under the bolt heads as they will compress some over the years.>

I finally replaced mine last year John. I never have used any additional sealant on the old ones. I used Hondabond #4 to secure the new ones to the covers. And you're right about the rubber washers. They shrink with age which reduces the compression of the gasket.

 

[Ken H]

ST1100 valve clearance/shim change video:
http://www.twistedsys.net/~bbettin/shim.htm

I downloaded the shim change video. It plays just fine for about the first 10 minutes or so and then the video freezes up yet the progress indicator is still making progress like the video is playing. Is anyone else experiencing this or know what the problem might be or what a solution is?

 

[saaz]

I had that problem as well. I have done the valves before so it was more out of interest. Worth reading the erratum as well, as some parts of the video are not what I do.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

I downloaded the shim change video. It plays just fine for about the first 10 minutes or so and then the video freezes up yet the progress indicator is still making progress like the video is playing. Is anyone else experiencing this or know what the problem might be or what a solution is?

Sorry to hear that, Ken (and John). I've had the 500 and 300 MB versions on my hard drive for years and just had collected the on-line download link to mention to others. Someone else hosted the video before this fellow(Brad Bettin, STOC 5666), but those links no longer work. So this is all we've got now for the higher res version, that I know of. If you go to the link above in my other poST (#8), you can at least view the lower res version on Google to see what you're in for, and then view the higher res one on the disc in the shim kit when you borrow it.

BTW, you both might drop Brad a note and let him know the details of the problem you're having with his website's video file:
bbettin@mwt.net

Regards, John

 

[Ken H]

Thanks for the update John. I will check out the link in your post.
BTW, I wont be calling for the shim kit just yet but I did just today order the tapered bearing kit so I will be getting in line over on the List soon for the bearing tool kit.

 

[ak85lp]

Sorry to revive an old thread but this one seems to be the same as mine. I've never checked the valves before so I think I have everything I need. However my Haynes book says to discard to O-ring under the timing inspection cover and get a new one. That might be a problem as I would likely have to order one for my bike. Also the thread says you can reuse the valve cover gasket or use high temp silicone as needed?

Hope to get at this in the morning.

 

[George]

No need to replace the o-ring under the timing cover. That area is not air or oil tight anyway. I question if ya even need the o-ring, except maybe to keep dust 'n grit out of there. I've never replaced it. (My 3 1100s have over 500,000 miles among them, 400,000 my own.)