valve cover leaking/gaskets dry rot?

[mikeymustang]

Hey guys,

I recently developed a small oil leak on my front valve cover on my 2007 VMAX. This perplexed me because I never removed the valve cover and the bike only has 14000 miles. With further investigation under magnification I can see both of my valve cover gaskets are dry rotted!
I am wondering if anyone else has this problem?
I am also wondering if there are better gaskets out there the stock ones seem to have a problem?

Thanks
Mike

 

[one2dmax]

The newer gaskets suck and there really isn't much better out there. Athena makes gaskets too but I still prefer the OEM's.

Sean

 

[gamorg02]

About 1/2 the vmaxes at the annual brownie run had this issue.

 

[Redbone]

I have new gaskets that Sean installed during my engine redo, I have a little over 4000 miles on them and no leaks. :thumbs up:
My old gaskets were in pretty bad shape but at least they kept stuff from getting IN the engine!:biglaugh: