Oil leaks from gas tank!!!! help please!

[benbaboon]

Hi,
I recently bought a 2000 gs500e, and was hoping somebody has seen this problem before.
I have oil dripping down the left side of the frame starting all the way up where the gas tank is.
Oil level is NOT too high, as far as I can tell.
The result is major sluggishness in the mid to high rpm range.  
The bike idles fine, and the air filter is dry.
I couldn't get a closer look because when I disconnected the hoses at the petcock the flow wouldn't stop.
But I was hoping to gather some knowledge while waiting for the manual.
thanks!!!  

[coll0412]

Wow thats something I havn't heard before.

Lets start with the basics, like where relative to the frame/fuel tanks is it coming from? I really think a picture would be worth more than 1000 words.

My first thoughts lead me to the valve cover, if one of the bolts that holds the valve cover is not there it might be spraying oil out of it, but that seems unlikely.

To stop the flow from the fuel tank mounted petcock, you have to turn the knob on the right side of the petcock(when sitting on the bike) with a long flat head screw driver. If you peak in from the side of the bike( front brake and rear brake side), and look at where those hoses go you will see the knob. When you go to turn it back on, however, make sure that the sliot is facing directly perpendicular to the tank surface(i.e. pointing straight up and down).

[scratch]

If it is oil that is getting on the frame up near the gas tank, then the first thing I would suggest is checking to make sure the six 6mm hex key bolts are secure, or tightened enough (not too much, they're screwed into aluminum cam caps).  And, then make sure the gasket on top of the cam cover hasn't let go (check the tightness on the four 10mm bolts holding that breather cover).

[benbaboon]

If it is oil that is getting on the frame up near the gas tank, then the first thing I would suggest is checking to make sure the six 6mm hex key bolts are secure, or tightened enough (not too much, they're screwed into aluminum cam caps).  And, then make sure the gasket on top of the cam cover hasn't let go (check the tightness on the four 10mm bolts holding that breather cover).

good suggestions. Now that I know how to turn off  the gas fllow I can even attempt that

[coll0412]

I edited my post a bit for clarity

[benbaboon]

OK... looks like it wasn't oil but actually gas. I think it's coming from where the petcock connects to the tank body.
So there's still the unexplained sluggishness.... and here's what I found:

There was nothing attached to the connector the arrow is pointing to. It connects to a solid pipe that goes between the top of the two carbs. Does anybody know what it is and what if anything should be connected to it?

thanks!

[galahs]

That's your carb breather.

It usually just goes to a hose that is open to the atmosphere and exits under the bike.