Leaky valve cover gasket

Greetings all,

I just picked up a 2001 Sprint ST this week. I got a really good price on it, but when I got it home I noticed it is marking it's territory. The oil leak looks like it is coming from the left hand side of the valve cover gasket near the little half moon rubber portion. It has 9k miles and the leak is not terrible, so I figure it can wait until the 12k service. How much does the gasket usually run? I am halfway decent at wrenching my KLR, but this thing is a beast compared to that thing. Is this a common leak among the sprints?

[ This message was edited by: backspinnn on 2005-11-10 21:47 ]

[jefftarlton]

Somebody's checked the valves and bumped the gasket out of place putting the cover back on. I did it on mine the first time.
The gasket is thick rubber. I've checked my valves twice now and not replaced the gasket. Unless it's torn there's no need.
There are more hoses than a KLR when the tank comes off, but don't let that intimidate you. If you think you'll have trouble relocating them, put masking tape on each hose. Mark them A,B,C, and also put masking tape with the same marks where the hoses go.

[Jhumphrey]

Jeff's spot on with his advise. Id also recomend you purchase a tube of blue haylomar to use as a gasket dressing prior to installing the cover gasket.