Seepage Help...

[lesfly]

I have a seepage on the left side. What do you call this part that I marked? I'm thinking I might need to change the gasket or retorque the nuts. Does anyone know what the torque value should be? And if the gasket needs to be change, will it be an easy job? Is there a how to? Anyone in SoCal up for the task?

[yamahonkawazuki]

any way you can get a closer shot?

[lesfly]

I think it actually seeps somewhere along the blue line because I've seen it come out from there, but it collects on the right side as you can see.

[galahs]

Its not chain lube/oil flinging up on the drive sprocket is it?

[lesfly]

I don't think so. The seepage appears after the engine is warmed up and you don't have to be riding it.

[Jarrett]

When was the last time the bike was dropped?  I bet its just oil from the air filter/vent hose on top of the head.  Could be the result of over filling the crank case with oil, or dropping the bike and saturating the air filter with oil.  Do you have an after market air filter?

[ben2go]

It could also be the cylinder base gasket,but that's a worse case senerio.

[sledge]

Its not chain lube/oil flinging up on the drive sprocket is it?

Doubt it, look at the condition of the chain.....Get some lube on there ASAP.

I have never seen oil leak uphill! so side cover gasket is favourite, at least thats where it looks to be leaking from. Probably caused by the flywheel and idler gear flinging oil on to the internal area of the cover as they spin inside the case.

[ohgood]

it sure as hell ain't chain lube flinging up, look @ the chain !

i'd bet on the top end vent because i'm hoping it's not the other gasket mentioned.

don't be like this guy: (no, it's not the master link)

[GeeP]

Hi Lesfly,

It looks like you've found the trail, but not necessarily the source of the leak.  Look at the dampness on the front cylinder fins in pic 1 and the oil on the cylinder fins in pic 2.

I suggest you wash the bike down with a product like "Foamy Engine Brite" or a regular car soap at a lower dilution rate.  Once dry, take it for a short spin.  The source of the leak should be easier to locate then.  Remember, the force of the air flowing over the engine will tend to cause a trail AFT of the actual leak location.   

[Dan02GS]

What Geep said, also I have heard of putting powder on the suspected spots to help identify the leak, I also have a leak but I have found it to be a bad valve cover gasket. Seems like I am chasing leaks all the time. Just for the heck of it you should pull off the sprocket cover and clean it then do what Geep said.

[Trwhouse]

Hi there,
I think you have a head gasket leak (visible in every photo you took) and that the oil is finding it's way to that low spot near the countershaft cover and is puddling there.
That's why you see the oil pooling there.
The air rushing over the cylinder fins is helping to push the oil backward and is helping it to migrate to the low spot.
You need to fix the head gasket leak.
The question I'd be asking is why is a bike this new experiencing a leaking head gasket?
When replacing the head gasket, I'd be sure to have the cylinder head checked for flatness because something isn't right.
When you do valve adjustments, do you always retorque your cylinder head?
That is a mandatory process that should be done to ensure proper cylinder head torque and to prevent head gasket leaks.
I hope this helps.
Yours,
Todd

[lesfly]

Thanks for the responses. I'm for sure it seeps from where I drew the blue line because I've seen it "seeping" from that very exact spot. So I'm guessing it's a bad gasket. I'm just wondering what that area is called, what kind of a gasket I'm looking for, and how hard is it to replace on my own.

I'm a total noob on the mechanics of anything. So the names you mention, such as head gasket or cylinder, I have no idea what you are talking about.

I bought the bike used last week. The guy who sold it to me dropped the bike many times. I suppose that may explain the leak. And yes, he did change the airbox to a K&N, but what does that have to do with oil?

What is the best lube for the chain?

[ben2go]

The vent line from the valve cover ran to the air box.When the air box is removed the vent needs a filter or it will blow oil out of it.The side cover is a simple fix.Remove the cover over the front sprocket.No need to remove the clutch cable from the cover.Then unbolt the the side cover.Don't use a screw driver to pry it off.It will damage the sealing surface.Cover it with a thick towel and gently tap the top while loosely holding the bottom.All of your bolts are 8mm and it'll help to have a small extension.

[lesfly]

The vent line from the valve cover ran to the air box.When the air box is removed the vent needs a filter or it will blow oil out of it.The side cover is a simple fix.Remove the cover over the front sprocket.No need to remove the clutch cable from the cover.Then unbolt the the side cover.Don't use a screw driver to pry it off.It will damage the sealing surface.Cover it with a thick towel and gently tap the top while loosely holding the bottom.All of your bolts are 8mm and it'll help to have a small extension.

The side cover is where I assume the leak is coming from, right? So will there be a lot of oil coming out when I loosen those bolts? What is the gasket for this cover called? Also to tighten, what torque weight do I need?

[lesfly]

I suggest you wash the bike down with a product like "Foamy Engine Brite" or a regular car soap at a lower dilution rate.

Foamy Engine Brite is not recommened for motorcycles according to this product page: http://www.aumauto.com/foenbr.html

[ben2go]

The vent line from the valve cover ran to the air box.When the air box is removed the vent needs a filter or it will blow oil out of it.The side cover is a simple fix.Remove the cover over the front sprocket.No need to remove the clutch cable from the cover.Then unbolt the the side cover.Don't use a screw driver to pry it off.It will damage the sealing surface.Cover it with a thick towel and gently tap the top while loosely holding the bottom.All of your bolts are 8mm and it'll help to have a small extension.

The side cover is where I assume the leak is coming from, right? So will there be a lot of oil coming out when I loosen those bolts? What is the gasket for this cover called? Also to tighten, what torque weight do I need?

You'll need to drain the oil before you remove the cover.Torque is 8 to 12 foot pounds and I would use some medium(blue) loctite on those bolts.It's part 15 gasket,magneto on this schematic http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs500et-1996/o/m6056

[lesfly]

Ben, the one you showed me is a 96. Will it matter that I have a 2004?

[ben2go]

Ben, the one you showed me is a 96. Will it matter that I have a 2004?

Sorry about that.I'm glad you ask.Here is the correct diagram.Still part 15 gasket,magneto. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs500f-2004-crankcase-cover/o/m6061sch503046

[lesfly]

Ben, the one you showed me is a 96. Will it matter that I have a 2004?

Sorry about that.I'm glad you ask.Here is the correct diagram.Still part 15 gasket,magneto. http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs500f-2004-crankcase-cover/o/m6061sch503046

Just want to be 100% sure, is the part number 3100671-001? If that's the part then I will order and work on it on the weekend. Thanks.