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Engine cylinder head problem？

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Felix

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Hello everyone ，Has anyone ever had a cylinder head leak ，it is located below the cylinder，and What's the solution？
Thankyou！
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I haven't experienced any leaking; perhaps, maybe check that the valve cover is properly torqued and the gasket is in good shape.
 
David R said:
Valve cover gasket...
Inspect, clean and replace if needed.

Its $350.00
David
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That's an expensive piece of rubberized plastic... My BMW service manager said that the gasket doesn't typically need to be replaced as suggested at the 6k mile service interval; depending on your miles, perhaps it's time for new...

That's $700 for two gaskets... crazy...
 
I would take the cover off, and check for the point of leak which could be at the bottom of the cylinder head. I would inspect the gasket and if no visible damage or anything else then put everything back together to the correct torque. Chances are the leak is being caused by a part that was not tightened correctly.
 
Scott Semone said:
I haven't experienced any leaking; perhaps, maybe check that the valve cover is properly torqued and the gasket is in good shape.
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I second this.

I would also take the gasket off and do a thorough cleaning with some dishwashing soap (the degreasing type) to ensure that ZERO oil residue remains. Even use some brake cleaner on a shop towel and clean up the cylinder head surface to remove any oily residue there as well. The gasket should not be slippery to the touch after degreasing, it should "grab" your finger like a tire tread if you drag your finger across the surface.

Then, with both surfaces 100% oil-free, tighten the gasket back down to factory tolerances...maybe a "little" bit more snug but not excessive.

Take care of the problem now and you'll save yourself a headache later ;)

Mike
 
Keehn said:
I second this.

I would also take the gasket off and do a thorough cleaning with some dishwashing soap (the degreasing type) to ensure that ZERO oil residue remains. Even use some brake cleaner on a shop towel and clean up the cylinder head surface to remove any oily residue there as well. The gasket should not be slippery to the touch after degreasing, it should "grab" your finger like a tire tread if you drag your finger across the surface.

Then, with both surfaces 100% oil-free, tighten the gasket back down to factory tolerances...maybe a "little" bit more snug but not excessive.

Take care of the problem now and you'll save yourself a headache later ;)

Mike
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I recently adjusted my valve clearance and practiced what I preached here.

Works like a charm (obviously). The practice of using degreasing soap on gaskets is something I do for valve cover gaskets and any other "reusable" gaskets (e.g. transmission pan gaskets). Oil has capillary action, so if there's a gasket barrier that is soaked in oil, the oil WILL find a way outside the gasket. This capillary action is prevented by using a degreased gasket, thus keeping the oil on the right side of said gasket material.

Mike
 
Ulrich said:
Did you just do a valve service? ... mine drool just a bit after a valve service .. I think it is oil that 'hides' a bit around the gaskets after and then eventually gravity makes it collect down there ... I wipe it off and it doesn't come back ... just my 2¢ ;)
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This has been my experience.
 
I agree with all cleaning advises above and you can use very tin coat of Hylomar Blue on the gasket, on my R51/2 and R69S is working really well and I had the pleasure to meet someone with a long time at Rolls Royce and he confirmed all I was reading in the AirHeads groups.…
Hylomar is a non hardening and easy-to-clean and remove for the next inspection - valve covers, oil sump etc.…

Just apply a very thin amount.
The prices for the R18 parts, gaskets etc are insane.…
 
Hello everyone. I recently bought a 2023 BMW R18, around 3k mileage. I rode it a few times and there were no problems. However, after about a month, I noticed oil traces on the front cooling fins of the right engine cylinder. At first, I thought it was a problem with the gasket. But then I quickly realized that while driving, oil cannot gather on the front surface of the engine cylinder. Instead, it would just be blown back. I took the motorcycle to the service center. The dealer said that I had a cracked cylinder. Although the crack was not visually visible from the outside, it was clearly there. This is the first time the officials encounter such a problem. Moreover, in the US, there are no known cases of BMW R18 engine cracking, they said. As a result, it was recognized as a warranty case and a new engine cylinder was ordered from Germany. Now I'm waiting for it to be replaced. I will provide an update later.
 

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Johny said:
Hello everyone. I recently bought a 2023 BMW R18, around 3k mileage. I rode it a few times and there were no problems. However, after about a month, I noticed oil traces on the front cooling fins of the right engine cylinder. At first, I thought it was a problem with the gasket. But then I quickly realized that while driving, oil cannot gather on the front surface of the engine cylinder. Instead, it would just be blown back. I took the motorcycle to the service center. The dealer said that I had a cracked cylinder. Although the crack was not visually visible from the outside, it was clearly there. This is the first time the officials encounter such a problem. Moreover, in the US, there are no known cases of BMW R18 engine cracking, they said. As a result, it was recognized as a warranty case and a new engine cylinder was ordered from Germany. Now I'm waiting for it to be replaced. I will provide an update later.
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Wow ... what are the odds!!! ... but I am glad that it is a warranty case ... weather sucks at the moment anyway ;)
 
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