Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB750 => Topic started by: mo goldie on November 01, 2026, 05:00:53 PM

Title: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 01, 2026, 05:00:53 PM
Hi guy`s

I have just got a cb750 K4 for the first time and it`s got oil coming from the Cam cover at the front and running down the front fins of the Engine.....as I am not up much on them I wanted to know do any of you guy`s use a sealent on the gasket or just put it on Dry ? the thing I do know you can`t get the cam cover off without taken the engine out or doing things like the frame ralils cut and No way am I going to do that  :-X but you can get the old gasket off and the new one on while it is in the frame, as I just got the old one off......... I wonder if someone put the gasket on Wrong.....I have watched the YourTube video on one bloke saying about the little Nick in the gasket should be put on on the nearside of the bike...... but as said just wondered if anyone thinks it is a good Idea to put anything on it or Not......If so what would you use ? I use in most cases Wellseal so to use or Not to use ?

Cheers Mo
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: Skoti on November 01, 2026, 06:06:08 PM
Take the engine out and fit a new genuine Honda gasket, make sure the surfaces are clean and dry before fitting the new gasket.

Absolutely use no gasket sealer whatsoever.


BTW

Have you checked the oil leak is not coming from the tacho drive oil seal?

Good luck.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 01, 2026, 06:09:20 PM
Trouble with sealant is removing it if you have to do the task again.

I have always used a light smear of grease on both surfaces, pretty sure many fit it dry.
For rubber type gaskets I use red rubber grease.

I also check the vent is clear as crankcase pressure will pump oil out.
.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 01, 2026, 06:13:43 PM
The prime suspect for leaks in this area are the pucks, (cylinder head oil seals). Even if it is just the gasket, the proper way to replace is remove the engine.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 01, 2026, 07:02:06 PM
Thanks All.

Well I will try the engine Not out first and see if I can do that and put gasket on "DRY" oh it is a Genuine Honda gasket.
I have a new tacho oil seal coming as I thought I would do that at the same time there was a bit of oil from there but Not much
..is that easy to get out the old one do you think ?

I have lots of other job to do on it so it will take me a while to sort it all out but will get back on my hours.......... oh taken the easy way first LOL  ;D
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: Skoti on November 01, 2026, 07:56:07 PM
To renew the tacho drive oil seal, I recommend heating the cam cover with a hot gun or the wife's hair dryer.

Then use the appropriate item from a hook and pick set to extract the seal, but try to avoid damage to the oil seal seating area.


ATB.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 01, 2026, 11:29:44 PM
ok thanks........... I got a heat gun.........mrs will heat me if I use her hair dyrer lol

and I got some pick tools too  ;D
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: Spitfire on November 02, 2026, 08:51:01 AM
This is how I removed the tacho seal on my 750F1.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/8282/z9nT7q.jpg)

Cheers

Dennis
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 02, 2026, 11:22:05 AM
I did the same.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 02, 2026, 06:40:44 PM
yes ok I will do that then makes sence rather than going in with picks..

cheers Guy`s
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 03, 2026, 05:23:59 PM
hi

went into the workshop today and used the screw to get the old oil seal out along with a bit of heat and yes all good as
it came out and new one fitted so thanks guy`s I am getting there .... mind you got till next year to finish it as for our weather as only a fair weather rider now lol Age ha  ;D
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 08, 2026, 05:51:06 PM
well it was workshop day. And got the gasket on so hope that do Not leak Now  ::)

as if Julie is right then it will be an engine out......but loads of other jobs to do before I can get to start it to find out if its ok.
when I get there I will let you all know who it go`s.
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: Skoti on November 08, 2026, 06:47:41 PM
Here's how I managed to remove and refit my CB750 engine myself.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/bT5X3iyGV89S47w26 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/bT5X3iyGV89S47w26)


But you need a smooth concrete garage floor to be able to slide the bike sideways on the main stand.


Good luck
Title: Re: Cam cover oil leak
Post by: mo goldie on November 09, 2026, 05:30:55 PM
Hi Skoti

I replaced the the gasket on the cam cover yesterday without taken the engine out and its all on now......... Just hope when I get round to starting it there is No Oil leaks...we shell see but Might take a bit of time as loads to do before I get to that stage  ;D

Cheers Maurice