Mule 3010 Rocker Gasket

[RavensRoost]

I have a 2006 3010 Kaw Mule with gasoline engine and it is time to adjust the valve lash. As the Mule lives at our weekend place 30 miles from anywhere and 100 miles from where we live, I did not want to start unless I had new gaskets. Then it occurred to me that maybe Kawasaki used neoprene gaskets and therefore would not have to be replaced.

Anyone know if the vlave cover gaskets are neoporene, cork, or formed in placed with silicone?

RavensRoost

 

[jinman]

I had my service done at the dealer, so I'm not sure about the gaskets, but I should be able to eyeball them an make an educated guess. I'll look at our 2004 model to see what it has and try to let you know tonight.

 

[Wayne_H]

I've set the valve lash on two 3010 mules now, and I did not replace the gaskets. Since they had so few hours on them, the gaskets looked like new still. And they did not leak after the fact. It's a 15 minute job.

Wayne

 

[jinman]

I've set the valve lash on two 3010 mules now, and I did not replace the gaskets. Since they had so few hours on them, the gaskets looked like new still. And they did not leak after the fact. It's a 15 minute job.

Wayne

Nuthin' like having experience. I'll defer to that, especially since my driveway was covered in ice last night and I slipped into the house and forgot to look at the gaskets.

When you checked the valve lash, Wayne, did you find a need for adjustment or were they within spec?

 

[RavensRoost]

I've set the valve lash on two 3010 mules now, and I did not replace the gaskets. Since they had so few hours on them, the gaskets looked like new still. And they did not leak after the fact. It's a 15 minute job.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne, thaks jinman. I went ahead and ordered new gaskets before I saw your post. It is sort of like having a spare tire and never needing it vs. the other way around. The fact that the Kawasaki "superstore" did not have the gaskets pretty much told me I didn't need them, but I get sort of paranoid about tearing into something if I don't have the parts to finish. Especially as it is really "Wife's Mule".

 

[Wayne_H]

Yes, they were off slightly. It's hard to imagine it makes much of a difference, but the warning was pretty stern in the manual. If I recall correctly, one of the valves on each cylinder was a bit off. You probably know this, but take your time checking them, and making sure you measure them correct with the feeler gauge flat, and you should just feel it touching.

Good luck!

Wayne

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