I thought the gasket on the cam chain tensioner was leaking so I replaced the gasket.  I read all the topics I could find before making the repair and I'm sure I did it right.  There is still a leak at the botton of the cam chain tensioner gasket or the base gasket in the general area.  I'm not sure if I should do the cam chain tensioner gasket replacement again or do the base gasket.  My question is how offen or ever do the metal base gaskets leak.  My bike has 12,000 of road commuting miles on it and I just can't believe the base gasket would be leaking.  My only other thought would be the synthetic Mobil 10-40 motorcycle oil that I started using about 3,000 ago could be a possible cause.   Any thoughts?

I haven't heard of a metal base gasket leaking. How good are you with tools, did you kink the replacement gasket? Did you rush cleaning off the old gasket and nick the alum surface? Did you use a sealer on the new gasket (eliminating the nicked alum problem)? I've been running Mobil One 15-50 auto oil for 34,xxx miles.

To answer your question, I'd replace the CCT gasket again before going after the base gasket. Some recommend cleaning the area well and sprinkling on baby powder, run the engine and the oil will show the leak. Although there is only a tiny distance between the two seams, so the leak may not be that exact. In the small space between the base and CCT gasket, spray on athlete's foot powder may work better.

Edited by Craig in Denver, 24 July 2012 - 09:25 PM.