Gasket valve cover inside Piaggio 4-stroke 4V

what does a gasket do?

There are many different types of gaskets or gasket sets in an engine, e.g. cylinder gaskets, intake gaskets, oil seals, crankcase gaskets, exhaust gaskets, carburetor gaskets or engine gasket sets. They all have the same function: to prevent leakage between components.

When and why should you change an engine gasket?

When servicing your two-wheeler or noticing leaking fluids, be sure to follow this one important rule: Always replace an old gasket with a new gasket.
Damaged or worn gaskets can no longer do their job properly, the parts that have to be sealed are no longer adequately sealed, which can lead to serious follow-up damages.

Before you install a new gasket, you must thoroughly clean and degrease the sealing surface.

You can also use silicone sealant as an alternative to paper or metal gaskets in some cases. But beware, O-rings and oil seals cannot be replaced by sealant.