[jcolegrove]

Hi all,
great forum-- been reading- first post.
got an '98 300ex last fall. going thru and fixing things... recently new clutch plates and rebuild carb (oem jets/ etc.).

I've worked on cars all my life, etc... and so putting it back together w/ factory manual was not too bad. My problem:

I cleaned the right side cover old gasket off pretty good, but now oil is leaking from the right side (on clutch side) and seems to start about where the oil level is at the front. none from the back. I've snugged the bolts well over 7 lbft and still leaking. Is there some other trick or is this a known leaky issue, please?

Then is there any easy way to adjust the mixture screw once the carb is on the quad? man, it's in tough place and i should have adjusted it when i did the carb on the bench...

Thanks!

 

[TRX2fiveO]

Welcome to the forums.. As far as the cover is concerned did you use RTV or Hondabond? I do not recomend RTV at all there are so many oiling passages any little piece of RTV will make you say very bad words. lol Use hondabond and let it set up for a couple of hours before running, and make sure everything is spotless.

The pilot screw can be easily adjusted with a very short screwdriver I have a tiny one I cut down to fit.

 

[jcolegrove]

hi,
thanks for replying...

no- didn't use any sealant as honda manual didn't indicate to, right? does everybody use it anyway?

re: that screw-- man, i must have ginormous hands b/c i can't get a good fit on it.

 

[TRX2fiveO]

LOL I'm the same way bro (fat finger syndrome) but I took a small cab screwdriver like you get with chainsaws and I cut it about 3/4 of an inch from the handle and cut off about 3/4 inch from the handle reground the end down to fit and thats what I use works really well.

I think but I'm not sure the case covers left and right have gaskets I would put a thin layer of Hondabond on it anyway.

 

[Fastas]

welcome to the forums

 

[Helmut]

Welcome to the forums. I would take it back off and clean the gasket areas real good and get a new gasket and use Hondabond on both sides of the gasket. That's how I do it and I never have a leak.

 

[jcolegrove]

thanks helmut. very good advice-- mine did not have sealant before and the gasket worked fine, so i thought just a gasket would be fine. but i will add sealant as you said.

so.... you don't think i can re-use the gasket that's been on for 3 days? it's semi-soaked in oil from the leak. would hondabond still stick to it? you're probably going to say no... lol.

also, is it true that permatex ultra gray is basically the same stuff as hondabond?

thanks again!

 

[Helmut]

thanks helmut. very good advice-- mine did not have sealant before and the gasket worked fine, so i thought just a gasket would be fine. but i will add sealant as you said.

so.... you don't think i can re-use the gasket that's been on for 3 days? it's semi-soaked in oil from the leak. would hondabond still stick to it? you're probably going to say no... lol.

also, is it true that permatex ultra gray is basically the same stuff as hondabond?

thanks again!

Well, from the factory, they just have a gasket and no Hondabond on the side covers. But by the time you scrape the old gasket off, you usually end up with some scratches. I just like to use the Hondabond for the added security. That Hondabond is some good stuff. If you clean the gasket areas real good and use Hondabond on both sides, then it's almost impossible to have a leak or, at least, I haven't had one.

You might be able to reuse the gasket, if you can get it off without tearing it. The Hondabond won't stick to the oily gasket like it would a dry one, but it'll probably seal. It might start leaking later, though, I can't say for sure. It would be better if you had a new one. If you don't use a new one, wipe all the oil you can wipe off of it.

I don't think I've ever used the Permatex Ultra Gray, so I don't know if it would be about the same or not. The Hondabond doesn't cure rubbery like regular RTV sealant. Regular RTV sealant cures rubbery and the excess that squeezes out on the inside of the engine can break off and stop your oil pump or oil passages up. I learned that the hard way. LOL. If the Ultra Gray doesn't dry rubbery like regular RTV sealant, then it'll probably work.

 

[mud99]

Looks like some good advice. Welcome to the forums.

 

[shadetree]

not sure if you solved your leaking problem, but..in all the bikes that i've worked on, i've never used hondabond on the side covers..although..it is some great stuff..thats for sure !..as far as your leak..if you haven't already fixed it, take the side cover back off, clean the mating surface on both parts..make sure you didnt by any chance nick any of the cover or engine matting surface..this will cause a small hole for the oil to leak through..oh..and make sure your gasket is the right thickness...if it's not the right thickness..it will leak....if you by anychance have a auto discount store handy, check to see if they sell gasket sheets..it comes in a roll..and most gaskets are 64th or 32nd thick...i use these alot when i rebuild engines...you will need to purchase a hole punch set and a x-acto knife..to make your on gaskets < this is if you want to save alot of money making your own gaskets >..otherwise..you can purchase honda gaskets...hope this helps.

 

[Helmut]

make sure you didnt by any chance nick any of the cover or engine matting surface..this will cause a small hole for the oil to leak through

That's why I use Hondabond on both sides of the gaskets. If you do nick or gouge the surface, the Hondabond will seal it.

 

[shadetree]

make sure you didnt by any chance nick any of the cover or engine matting surface..this will cause a small hole for the oil to leak through

That's why I use Hondabond on both sides of the gaskets. If you do nick or gouge the surface, the Hondabond will seal it.

i agree^^^^..alot of ppl will stick a screw driver in between the covers and pry them apart < bad move >..never ever do this..there is a tab on the covers that are made for tapping them off...this keeps ppl from doing the nicking..lol..anyway..yes..if by chance you do get a nick in them..the hondabond will in fact seal it.