Oil on my right boot

[06GSowner]

The exact same thing happened to my bike at 230 miles, blown head gasket for me  I didnt have the bike above 5500 rpms either. Oil on the right shoe and frame and engine. Maybe these 2006's aren't so reliable after all.

[scratch]

Ok, this is starting to worry me.  I just got my bike back from it's 6,000km's service yesterday, and last night I had the same problem...oily substance on top of BOTH boots...

So I pulled off the tank this morning...seems that the weed who serviced my bike broke off the rubber support for the tank (not happy) and then I find out that he's stripped one of main rocker cover bolt seats(??).  Tried calling the bike shop, but surprise, surprise, service dept not open on weekends...so will have to take the bike back on Monday...ARGH!  Supposed to be cruising this weekend too!

That is very un-good!  That is also a cam retaining cap!  And, if I remember corectly, it is a machined piece matched to the head.

My camchain tensioner body came loose just recently, both the body and the screw cover.  Just a little oil, though.  Your larger leak is probably from the valve cover bolt-hole.

Also, I have a great big spot of oil residue that has collected dirt, that's been there for...I don't know...the past two years of owning this bike.  I haven't complained, because I know where it's coming from and kinda why, and am not really concerned.  Plus I used to ride a Triumph.

[lachie]

yeah will have another look at the cam thingy-me-bobs this morning when the sun decides to finally wake up....

[sharkfin25]

when you unscrew the dipstick to check the oil, should you be able to see oil? I mean in the hole where you pulled the dipstick out?

I'm like scratch ... even though I am used to seeing some gear teeth partway down the hole, I had never really taken a GOOD look.  So tonight I did:




That first shot doesn't give a good "feel" for how far down the OIL! really is.  The next shot should give you more context, even though I'm holding the dipstick at a not-quite-right angle:




When I took these pictures, my oil level came to just below the Full line on the dipstick.

Wow Kerry, you are awesome! Seriously, you go above and beyond just answering a question. Thank you very much for taking time out to share your knowledge with a noob! 

[sharkfin25]

Ok, so I took it to the dealer today for them to check it out. It seems that between the time I made the appointment last Friday and this morning, the service guy I made the appointment with got angry and quit. Luckily, the dealer I bought the bike from has some very cool techs working for them, and even though they were swamped, they took a look at it. They cleaned off the engine of oil, etc, then ran the bike to see where the oil was coming from. No luck. So, they took it out for a test ride. He got it out on the freeway and once it got up to about 70mph, oil was splattering everywhere. The verdict, bad head gasket.

This is where my experience differs from the other guy who had this same problem. Immediately the tech told me that this was fully covered and I wouldn't be paying a cent for anything. He told me he would call Suzuki and inform them of the problem, then he told me when he ordered the parts, he would tell Suzuki that they needed to replace my exhaust can as well, since oil got on it and it was slightly discolored. I left to go home and before I had even gotten home, he had already called my cell to tell me he talked to Suzuki and ordered the parts and he would have the bike back to me as soon as he could. I have to give props to Wright Motors in Lodi, California. They have handled this situation in the best way possible.

Thanks to everyone who provided answers to my question, especially Kerry. The input was greatly appreciated. I'll post again when I get the bike back.

[scratch]

Immediately the tech told me that this was fully covered and I wouldn't be paying a cent for anything. He told me he would call Suzuki and inform them of the problem, then he told me when he ordered the parts, he would tell Suzuki that they needed to replace my exhaust can as well, since oil got on it and it was slightly discolored. I left to go home and before I had even gotten home, he had already called my cell to tell me he talked to Suzuki and ordered the parts and he would have the bike back to me as soon as he could. I have to give props to Wright Motors in Lodi, California. They have handled this situation in the best way possible.

Yay, Wright Motors!

[Yankee Punker]

 That great, I love happy endings!!!!!!!!!!!

[Insan3]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I decided to use this 'Search' thingy everyone talks about...

I'm having the same problems, oil splatter on my right leg. Only very light, but it gets everywhere.
I'm going to take it to local Suzuki dealer, but my Warranty might be an issue. My purchase dealer is on the other side of the state - I purchased via Internet (Brand new so no big deal) but they never sent my paperwork and claim they can't retrieve it.

How much would it be for replacing a bad head gasket out of my own pocket?

[TheMajekalBum]

well I'm not sure on the price of the gasket but if you did it yourself and you had the tools under $50 I'd guess...for the gasket and some more oil...if you get a shop to do it.....expect some hefty service fees