cylinder head gasket.

[that_guy]

Ok i have an issue that is kind of an annoyance.  Hasn't really caused any problems but makes a mess every few days.

After any length of high rpm / high stress riding on the motor there is a little bit of oil seepage or leakage on the right hand side.  I have pretty much come to the comclusion that the leak is coming from where the head bolts to the cylinder.  I would assume that it's a bad head gasket??  it's only a small bit but I do have to wipe it off every now and then.  What are the common symptoms of a bad head gasket on these GS's?

Also how much of a headache is it to change out?  I would assume just having to remove tank, carbs and unbolt head.  lift head, clean surface, install new gasket, replace head/carbs/tank fire up and go riding..

Looking for some input..

[DerekNC]

Retorquing the head may cure your problem. Mine leaked pretty bad up front but after retorquing the head last winter it no longer leaks. If that doesn't work theres orings around the head bolts that should be replaced if you replace the head gasket.

[that_guy]

Retorquing the head may cure your problem. Mine leaked pretty bad up front but after retorquing the head last winter it no longer leaks. If that doesn't work theres orings around the head bolts that should be replaced if you replace the head gasket.

yeah I saw that there were 4 of them.  Thanks for the input.  It' rather just try retorquing them then pulling the head off.

[D-Day]

Retorquing the head may cure your problem. Mine leaked pretty bad up front but after retorquing the head last winter it no longer leaks. If that doesn't work theres orings around the head bolts that should be replaced if you replace the head gasket.

yeah I saw that there were 4 of them.  Thanks for the input.  It' rather just try retorquing them then pulling the head off.

Those four bolts on top of the valve cover (actually six, two are located lower down on the front and rear of the cover) , are attatched to the cam caps.  Those are aluminum, and they will strip fairly easily.  Those bolts do not take much torque to properly seal the cover.  If it leaks, there are six o rings and a large gasket around the entire valve cover that might have to be replaced, or have sealant used on. 

If you are talking about an actual head gasket leak, then you will have to remove the valve cover and torque the head to proper spec.  Then replace the valve cover and see if either of them leak.  If the head gasket leaks, you will have to remove the head, which requires taking the valve cover off, loosening the cam chain tensioner, removing the cams (if you don't know how to time the cams, do not do this job) and then removing the head, R&R the head gasket and reassemble.

[scratch]

Retorquing the head may cure your problem. Mine leaked pretty bad up front but after retorquing the head last winter it no longer leaks. If that doesn't work theres orings around the head bolts that should be replaced if you replace the head gasket.

yeah I saw that there were 4 of them.  Thanks for the input.  It' rather just try retorquing them then pulling the head off.

There are actually eight bolts that you will need to retorque in the crisscross pattern, four are under the valve cover.