Valve cover leak

Having Problems with your BMW R1200RT/R1250RT? or have some Maintenance and Service questions?
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WingWheel7
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:06 am
Bike Model and Year: 2012 rt 1200
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United States of America

Valve cover leak

Post by WingWheel7 »

I’ve got a leak from right side valve cover. I’ve replaced the gasket with a new one. I believe previous owner replaced valve cover with aftermarket one since there isn’t a bmw part number on the inside. I’m out of ideas. Not sure what else to do.
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Mark S.
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2025 6:42 pm
Location: St Jacob, IL
Bike Model and Year: RT1250RT 2021
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United States of America

Re: Valve cover leak

Post by Mark S. »

What kind of gasket material?
WingWheel7
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:06 am
Bike Model and Year: 2012 rt 1200
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United States of America

Re: Valve cover leak

Post by WingWheel7 »

Gasket was bought from Max BMW. I assume it’s the factory gasket.
Mark S.
Posts: 22
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2025 6:42 pm
Location: St Jacob, IL
Bike Model and Year: RT1250RT 2021
Has liked: 7 times
Been liked: 4 times
United States of America

Re: Valve cover leak

Post by Mark S. »

The reason I ask is because certain types of material tends to stick to the mating surfaces. Anything on the mating surfaces can prevent a seal.
WingWheel7
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:06 am
Bike Model and Year: 2012 rt 1200
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United States of America

Re: Valve cover leak

Post by WingWheel7 »

I cleaned both surfaces thoroughly
ajaycad66
Posts: 7
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Bike Model and Year: 2012 R1200RT
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Great Britain

Re: Valve cover leak

Post by ajaycad66 »

Check for any "warpage" of the head cover. Aftermarket covers wont be up to OEM standards I would suggest, and could warp with the heating/cooling process.
Lay the cover on a piece of glass, (or a known flat surface) then use a feeler gauge to see if there is any difference between the glass and mating surface along its length.
This will hopefully indicate where the source of the leak is.
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