1845C Chain Access Cover Gaskets

Don Che · Dec 18, 2019

I've gotten the chian access ports all nice and clean, and have gotten new gaskets. Any tips on installing these to help prevent water from getting into the chain tanks? I was wondering if coating the gaskets with some thick high temp grease may help seal them. I don't really want to use something like gasket sealer or silicone, because I am going to need to remove them to flush the tanks a few times. Water got in the tanks and emulsified with the oil. I am working on flushing out all the contaminated oil. At $22 a piece plus shipping and tax, I would really like to be able to reuse these gaskets after removing the tank access caps.

Vetech63 · Dec 18, 2019

Well, chain cases get water infiltrated in them constantly. Sometimes it is just from condensation in humid weather...……….make sure the chain case can breathe (should be a breather on both sides, but I don't remember exactly where they are.
Now lets talk about those gaskets LOL. They NEVER seal without some type of sealer and the gasket will deteriorate over time and temperature changes. I don't know if others will agree with me, but I use only a silicone sealer and don't even use the gaskets. It has proven over time to be the best alternative.

sims · Dec 18, 2019

Don;
Save your money, you don't need "high temperature" grease. The chain case covers are not a high temperature application. I used a water proof grease. Works great. Look for a Calcium Sulfonate based grease. (check out ebay/amazon) It is non-soluble in water and stays in place. Also make sure you don't over-tighten the covers and check for cracks where a PO might have over-tightened.

SimS

Don Che · Dec 18, 2019

Thanks Guys, How about Molykote™ 111 Compound? It’s silicone based and thicker than grease. Excellent water resistance.
https://www.lubricantspecialty.com/product/molykote-111-compound

phil314 · Dec 18, 2019

sims said:
Also make sure you don't over-tighten the covers and check for cracks where a PO might have over-tightened.

I'll second this because it's easy to crack the covers, especially if they are older.
One of these days I'm going to fab up some steel covers that I can actually tighten down.

The only sure fire way I've found to keep water out of a 1845c chain cases - always park it inside if you can.

kshansen · Dec 18, 2019

Actually if installed right those gaskets seal up pretty good. Assuming they are the ones with the adhesive on one side to stick them to the plastic cover and have soft lips to conform to the top of chain case.

One thing I found about those plastic covers is whatever kind of material they were molded from they were very sensitive to some solvents and would get mushy at times. I would suggest just using hot water and good dish soap to clean them.

As for how tight? Just snug down enough to the point they would not wiggle and then maybe half a turn on the nut.

As for water getting in the cases I would just make it a habit to drain and refill anytime other service work is being done. As I recall those cases only take around four or five quarts of oil so it's not going to break the bank to drain a few times a year.

Where I worked the operators managed to snap chains often enough the oil never got that bad!

Don Che · Dec 18, 2019

Thanks for all the really good advice! You guys are great! I was pretty happy with the gaskets, I cleaned up the covers really good and then using a stainless-steel wire brush scrubbed the gasket mating surface lightly with some acetone and quickly wiped off with a clean rag. That stuff wanted to melt fast. It left a really clean surface that the gasket adhesive adhered to really well. I then applied Molykote 111 Compound to the gasket surface that mated with the steel tanks Its silicone based and thicker than grease with excellent water resistance. I was quite happy with the gasket seal. I tightened the wing nuts snug enough to get a nice seal. I all looks good and I am sure I have a good seal at least for now. I also purchase a 12oz 10’X12’ canvas tarp to cover it with when I have to leave it out on the job site.

CASE1234 · Dec 18, 2019

Don Che said:
I've gotten the chian access ports all nice and clean, and have gotten new gaskets. Any tips on installing these to help prevent water from getting into the chain tanks? I was wondering if coating the gaskets with some thick high temp grease may help seal them. I don't really want to use something like gasket sealer or silicone, because I am going to need to remove them to flush the tanks a few times. Water got in the tanks and emulsified with the oil. I am working on flushing out all the contaminated oil. At $22 a piece plus shipping and tax, I would really like to be able to reuse these gaskets after removing the tank access caps.View attachment 206999

I haven't done it yet but I am going to take mine off and put a 1/4 steel plate over the hole. drill hole on each end and tap them 3/8 inch. put a gasket under the plate and then I wont have to worry about it. very poor design period.

Don Che · Dec 19, 2019

That is a fantastic idea!

waynesweb · Aug 14, 2020

Don Che said:
That is a fantastic idea!

I thought about that too but I decided that I'm going to weld a little ridge all the way around the opening so water would have to go up a quarter inch to get past it and then just put my cover down over top of of the ridge lip.air can get in and water cant

kshansen · Aug 14, 2020

Well as someone who has rode motorcycles for close to 60 years I think those chains in the 1845C have it easy!

Sure it's a good idea to install the covers with proper gaskets but more important to me is to change the oil a couple times a year and keep the wheel hubs grease along with the shaft for the idler gear.

Worked on mostly Case 1845 skids since the time they had no letter after the numbers and don't think I ever saw one where the real cause of chain failure was rust or wear from water.

And if you think water can't get in but air can then I would like to sell you a bridge!

But what do I know I only worked on this equipment for 45 years!

kith · Aug 14, 2020

Clean surfaces are a must. Stick gaskets to covers and do not over tighten. Service regularly. I have seen them when someone put steel covers and inside was the same. Gaskets on the case clean and dry,all the grease does is make a mess.

heymccall · Aug 14, 2020

Be sure to use a seal washer on the stud.

kshansen · Aug 15, 2020

kith said:
Clean surfaces are a must. Stick gaskets to covers and do not over tighten. Service regularly. I have seen them when someone put steel covers and inside was the same. Gaskets on the case clean and dry,all the grease does is make a mess.

Yes with the composite/plastic covers just need to snug up the nyloc nuts to compress the gaskets a bit.

Kefrko · Jun 24, 2023

I know this is an older thread but does anyone still have a source for these? I have a 1835B and looking for some gaskets for mine. Not sure if they are the same shape or not with the 1845.

turk · Jun 29, 2023

Don Che said:
I've gotten the chian access ports all nice and clean, and have gotten new gaskets. Any tips on installing these to help prevent water from getting into the chain tanks? I was wondering if coating the gaskets with some thick high temp grease may help seal them. I don't really want to use something like gasket sealer or silicone, because I am going to need to remove them to flush the tanks a few times. Water got in the tanks and emulsified with the oil. I am working on flushing out all the contaminated oil. At $22 a piece plus shipping and tax, I would really like to be able to reuse these gaskets after removing the tank access caps.View attachment 206999

where did you find these gaskets at $22 apiece. I realize your post is from 2019 but the current price I was quoted is around double that and available only through Case dealerships. I would appreciate if someone would give me an idea where I can get thses at a more reasonable price. Paying $90+ for a couple pieces of rubber does not make sense to me.

heymccall · Jun 29, 2023

$25-30 on the interweb. D125759
There's no law that says you can't use a closed cell foam gasket strip with adhesive.

turk · Jul 3, 2023

I ended up getting two gaskets (D125621) from F. P. Smith Parts &Equipment Co. Fairfield, CA, at $31.14 a piece plus $10 for shipping. Quick delivery!

1845C Chain Access Cover Gaskets

Don Che

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Vetech63

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sims

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Don Che

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phil314

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kshansen

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Don Che

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CASE1234

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Don Che

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kshansen

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kith

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