What's on my engine?

[AgentNitz]

So I've noticed this wierd yellowish junk on my engine case this past week, and was wondering if anyone had any idea what it might be? I can also smell a gasoline-like smell. Anyone have any ideas? Also, can anyone recommend a good engine degreaser/cleaner? I have a bunch of road grime all over this poor thing, and i really need to clean her up =)  Thanks!

[3imo]

you have a fuel leak.

that is fuel dried on a hot surface.   see how the fuel "cleans" all that grease and grime?

DO not use any all purpose degreaser, some will damage the finish of your engine.  if your finish is salvageable- no offense intended.

[3imo]

looks like you have  a head gasket leak too.

I reommend you clean the engine really good then powder it with baby powder to identify where the leaks are comming from.

seeing that the fuel doesn't flow towards the rear of the engine I would guess it is comming from your carbs.  mine used to leak into the airbox after I parked it.

just a guess though.

[AgentNitz]

no offense taken =) Thanks for the advice. Looks like i have myself a weekend project =)

[starwalt]

Did this just start recently?

Is your airbox drain hose existing or routed the correct way?
(The airbox hose has a funny looking bladder on the end of it. Looks kinda like a dog p3cker on the end).

Any recent degradation in engine operation lately?

[Jughead]

As Said do not use a Alkaline Base Degreaser.It eats up Aluminum.Only use Simple Green.

[AgentNitz]

It started about... a week ago. Definite degradation in engine performance.

It also has trouble idling until it gets really warm. I once got off the freeway after about 9 miles, and the poor thing still died when I got off. I thought that was kinda strange.

I'm not too sure about the airbox drain hose. I do however plan to take the tank off and look at whats going on underneath there, cause the connection between the carbs and the engine seems to be a bit moist. Hopefully it'll just be an old hose or something =)

[3imo]

It started about... a week ago. Definite degradation in engine performance.

It also has trouble idling until it gets really warm. I once got off the freeway after about 9 miles, and the poor thing still died when I got off. I thought that was kinda strange.

I'm not too sure about the airbox drain hose. I do however plan to take the tank off and look at whats going on underneath there, cause the connection between the carbs and the engine seems to be a bit moist. Hopefully it'll just be an old hose or something =)

After you ride and let the bike sit a minute does you airbox fill with fuel?  could be the sign of a stuck float in your carb.  Mine did that and leaked fuel from my carbs into my airbox only when I stopped riding. I had my drain hose attached so the fuel pooled under the bike not on the engine as yours does.

[starwalt]

It started about... a week ago. Definite degradation in engine performance.

It also has trouble idling until it gets really warm. ...

Yep. It sounds like a classic fuel/carb issue. There is another thread going on about this also.  When you get ready to go there use THESE PAGES   for reference.

[94suzuki500]

well what you got there is a big chunk of poopy, see that peanut right there? dead give away.