calm down there larry. ya $40 plus labor. i wouldnt pay that but some would. im sure it takes longer than 15 minutes to take all the plastics off, the tank, take the bolts out, take off the old gasket, put the new one on straight, tighten down the builts criss cross style, put the tank back on, then the plastics. i cant imagine it can be done without taking the tank off. they put on my receipt 45 minutes labor. thats what i figured would take them.

mikey- ya ill talk to him in the next couple days to see if maybe theres a recall or somethin.

 

hahaa, I'm calm I just think that $100 fora VC gasket change is insane!

Ok, maybe not 15 mins.. But I'd put money that I could do it in less than 25.

 

Thanks guys. This summer has been busy as heck for me. I ride the bike to work when I can but no dirt lately. I have been working out of town alot and go to Klamath Falls monthly. I brought the bike with me to ride one day afterwork and boom, oil leak. I am glad it is the gasket rather than me though. If that makes sense. Of course, I wish it happened a couple months back. I have to leave town again for a month in August. I don't plan on having much time to ride between now and then. If 09's buddy thinks they can warranty cover it I'll bring er down to Lee's otherwise I'll deal with it when I get back. I'll probably just order one from bike bandit and do er myself. Thanks again fellas!

 

Still put the dab of HondaBond in each corner. The stuff is the best in the world.

 

I was a Line tech in a Honda shop for 5 years and it is standard procedure to seal all corners. Not "Gloop" a bunch but just a dab. These gaskets are good for several removal/reinstalls when done correctly. But.... 15-30 bucks is cheap if you feel like a new gasket. Even brand new you need to seal 90 degree corners it's just the way it is. I'm not a salesman for HondaBond but it'll stay right where ya put it. It won't try to mix into your oil. Next time you remove the Head cover, you just peel any excess off the gasket and put another Dab on for reinstallation.

 

i could do that while pounding a few beers in the process.

 

I'm just saying... the problem with these gaskets is they shrink up and do not fit back on after you take it off. Its not a matter of a lack of goop or goop in the wrong places, the gasket itself is actually bad and once you take it off it won't go back on.

 

Has Kawasaki had a service bulletin or recall notice on this? Any one with an 09 (thats actually been ridden for a while) not having a problem with this?

 

You need to get a new gasket. I'm thinking we need to compile a thread on this board with VIN's who experienced this problem. The gasket shrinks or is initially too small. Just adding permatex or whatever helps a bit, but it'll still leak and eventually will go back to the way it was. Trust me the only way you're getting that shrunken gasket back on is with superglue. I know from experience.

 

Hey Mikey, you should get it fixed right away..warranty or no warranty. Just another example of why I bought the extra 4 year warranty. Hey I was just North of where you were last week. Central Oregon--Millican Valley OHV riding area for 5 days. It was awesome!