Valve cover oil vent: Wobbly union?!

[J.R.]

Who has run into the wobbly demons? In other words has the plastic union on your valve cover worn and become loose? This seems to be a recurring problem for me. I have various styles of venting breathers/catch reservoirs for the oil to vent through, but regardless of which one I run the union seems to vibrate and wear into a wobbly, leaky SOB. So I'm working on a solution to avoid this problem for everyone in the future.

I'd like to know who else has run into this?

 

[7point62]

If you mean the plastic elbow then "They all do that sir."

They appear to be held in from the factory by some kind of hard-setting sealer. I accidentally pulled mine out while changing the breather hose and quickly found that RTV wasn't up to the job, but I had some Loctite lock n seal and that held for about a year. Best bet would be a dedicated hard setting sealer for permanent assembly like Loctite 30511 (no, I don't work for Loctite!).

 

[J.R.]

"They all do that sir."

Exactly!

I have gone through several! Like yourself, I've also found that RTV really doesn't work in this situation. So I am designing a better solution to replace the plastic union all together.




Anyone else wanna pipe up about their experience in loosing the seal on their plastic union

 

[pvduke]

george @ uptite prolly has a solution.

pulled mine taught outwards then hot glued it. i keep all them sealers and such on the OUTSIDE of the engine. zip tie the vent hose to the feed line (fisrt) so it dont wobble and waller stuff out. only did mine once on my 07 TC.

 

[J.R.]

I WILL have a solution, currently working on it. Will keep the thread updated as the first few are made and tested.

 

[Planepower]

Mine are exactly the same - wobbles and weaps.
I used 3M gasket bond (grey case sealer) on the SMR, so far so good. The TC (dirty bike) I don't worry about much.

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

I just cross my fingers and left it routed in the stock manner- so far so good!

Hey, I did notice that ZIPTY RACING has a solution made for the 2010/2011 250/310s I don't know if it works on the older 250/310 or the 450/510- but they have some kinda replacement for the Plastic L vent with a Billet one... Don't know if that solves that problem- or like I said if It fits... But I'd give Zipty a call.
http://www.ziptyracing.com/products/product_detail.aspx?id=MTg2Mg==

 

[robertaccio]

remove said elbow clean up mount area add Threebond 1211 (outside of cover) and reinstall elbow. let 1211 cure no more wobbly no more leaky, 3 bond is a little flexy to absorb vibe and nor crack.

 

[Chayzed Pilot]

Hey JR, I had the same problem. It was ticking me off big time. I tried the RTV method and that was not a good solution. I got into my golf club making supplies and used a fast set black epoxy that is made for graphite golf shafts. It sets up in about 1 hour and full strenght in 8 hours. I haven't had a problem since and you can't even tell it is epoxied in. It really bonds with the plastic elbow.

 

[J.R.]

I just cross my fingers and left it routed in the stock manner- so far so good!

Hey, I did notice that ZIPTY RACING has a solution made for the 2010/2011 250/310s I don't know if it works on the older 250/310 or the 450/510- but they have some kinda replacement for the Plastic L vent with a Billet one... Don't know if that solves that problem- or like I said if It fits... But I'd give Zipty a call.
http://www.ziptyracing.com/products/product_detail.aspx?id=MTg2Mg==

Not quite sure if you understand but I'm working on making my own, not buying one. I have a solution and am working on getting it produced.
I did not know ZipTy made one, but I will still market mine if possible. How is theirs held in anyway? Looks like O-rings go on then it just goes in? I can't quite tell from the pictures on my phone. But if that is the case, Im not sure I really like the idea..

 

[ray_ray]

Super glue will work but only for a limited time ... I'll be trying some of your guys' fixes in the near future ... Threebond 1211 sounds like it might have potential ...

 

[danbartol]

I made an L shaped bracket that bolts under the valve cover bolt and holds the breather hose L bracket tight in place.

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

Not quite sure if you understand but I'm working on making my own, not buying one. I have a solution and am working on getting it produced.
I did not know ZipTy made one, but I will still market mine if possible. How is theirs held in anyway? Looks like O-rings go on then it just goes in? I can't quite tell from the pictures on my phone. But if that is the case, Im not sure I really like the idea..

I didn't know you were looking to develope and market a part- just thought you were looking to fix your bike and share the info.
I don't know anything about Zipty's part- just saw that it existed and thought I'd share.
Good luck with your project- we all like fixes and options to resolve common issues.

 

[columbia510]

The threebond1211 works great and holds for mile after mile.

My plastic elbow popped out on dual sport ride in Yosemite one year. Had to ride the pavement back one handed or else everyone behind and myself would be covered in oil. I carry this stuff in my fannytoolbox after that experience.

 

[J.R.]

I didn't know you were looking to develope and market a part- just thought you were looking to fix your bike and share the info.
I don't know anything about Zipty's part- just saw that it existed and thought I'd share.
Good luck with your project- we all like fixes and options to resolve common issues.

Thanks

 

[ThunderPaw]

Who has run into the wobbly demons? In other words has the plastic union on your valve cover worn and become loose? This seems to be a recurring problem for me. I have various styles of venting breathers/catch reservoirs for the oil to vent through, but regardless of which one I run the union seems to vibrate and wear into a wobbly, leaky SOB. So I'm working on a solution to avoid this problem for everyone in the future.

I'd like to know who else has run into this?

Oh ya, me too. I think the ultimate solution woud be to thread the hole (its a broad enough surface there) and screw in something brass with plumbers tape. I just haven't gone to the trouble yet. Maybee the next time the cover is off. At any rate, I would buy from you if you beat me to a fix.

 

[huskyte310]

If it looks good i will buy one too. You know the plastic one will brake sooner or later.

 

[pvduke]

I just cross my fingers and left it routed in the stock manner- so far so good!

Hey, I did notice that ZIPTY RACING has a solution made for the 2010/2011 250/310s I don't know if it works on the older 250/310 or the 450/510- but they have some kinda replacement for the Plastic L vent with a Billet one... Don't know if that solves that problem- or like I said if It fits... But I'd give Zipty a call.
http://www.ziptyracing.com/products/product_detail.aspx?id=MTg2Mg==

dood- great find! i looked all over that site for just that part and missed it! i aint that bright. nice piece. i kinda like the plactic one its softer than the cover so....fwiw. hmm...might be time fer some bling fer the TC. yall just make sure ya tie the vent down to the feed line keeps it off the header. i wrap the vent hose at the top with a scrap peice of hose to prevent poke through

 

[J.R.]

dood- great find! i looked all over that site for just that part and missed it! i aint that bright. nice piece. i kinda like the plactic one its softer than the cover so....fwiw. hmm...might be time fer some bling fer the TC. yall just make sure ya tie the vent down to the feed line keeps it off the header. i wrap the vent hose at the top with a scrap peice of hose to prevent poke through

I'm not sure what bike you have but I looked at some part numbers last night. The newer 250 models that ZipTy's part replaces, does not cross over to the 2004-10 450/510 or the older 250's (2004 until '08 or 09 I believe).

 

[pvduke]

hmmm....yeh, mines an '07. no big. no leak either! cool part though.