A few leaks, looking for advice

[nmh5028]

I noticed a few leaks on my 2001 GS the other day after parking it on the side stand in the garage (usually park it on the center stand). There were a few drops of what appeared to be oil and a mess on the front sprocket cover area. I looked at a few older threads on here and cleaned out all of the road gunk from behind the sprocket cover and went for a ride, but the leak is still there. Only a few drops make it to the ground, but the covers/frame are messy too. Is this likely a gasket that I need to replace? If so, which one?

Second leak that I noticed when adjusting my idle... The were a few dried up drops of something directly under the idle adjustment screw a few days after a long ride. I wiped it up and went for another short ride and when I got back I saw a fresh drop below the screw, as well as more liquid on the screw itself. It is dark, oil colored liquid.

I'll try to get some pictures when I get home from work (if the rain hold off long enough)

[scratch]

The leak from behind the cover is either the clutch push rod seal, or the shift shaft seal; you'll have to remove the sprocket to clean up in there, ride it, and then look for where the leak is coming from.

Oil on the idle screw could be from the crankcase breather hose on top of the valve cover.

[nmh5028]

I cleaned everything up and went for a ride today, and here are some pictures of the leak. I'll have the sprocket cover off later today to give that a look and I'll be back with more pictures. This is my first bike and the first vehicle I've ever worked on, so forgive me if it is something obvious.




This shows where the oil is dripping from. The entire gasket to the right of the drip is wet:


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This is a second look at where the oil is dripping on the frame:


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Another wet spot, this one is isolated from the others:


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Looking at the main wet area from below:


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I also noticed that this hose looked wet on the end... not sure if this is why I'm getting oil on the idle screw:


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Also noticed this, likely from the same source as the oil on the screw


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[nmh5028]

A few more from inside the sprocket cover. I can't really tell where it is coming from so hopefully someone that is more familiar with this can help.



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[adidasguy]

With all the leaking oil, how could the chain and sprocket stay so clean, dry and free of any oil?

Maybe the engine is trying to lube the chain? 

[sledge]

That looks like high crankcase pressure. Clean the engine off with degreaser, pull the breather cover and pipe and make sure nothing is blocked in there, then torque up every bolt in sight. Then if you are still seeing leaks start considering replacement seals and gaskets.

[burning1]

Any chance the oil was over-filled at some point?

[nmh5028]

Any chance the oil was over-filled at some point?

Not since I have owned the bike (about 800 miles). The oil level was fine when I got it and I have checked it at least once a week. I haven't had to add much, and I've never had it past 3/4 full. I've only noticed the leak in the last 50 miles or so, but I'm starting to think that the previous owner wasn't very good with the maintenance schedule


Sledge, I didn't find anything in the breather pipe or under the cover. I tightened the bolts where the leaks are and cleaned everything up. I'm not sure when I'll get to go for another ride because of weather and the holiday, but I'll report back when I do. Thanks for the advice.

I also pulled the airbox drain plug out after reading one of the other threads and it made a nice puddle on the driveway

[the mole]

In your last picture of the sprocket there are two shafts visible. The one in front of the sprocket is the clutch pushrod and the one under it is the gear selector shaft. The seals on either of these could be the problem, you need to clean thoroughly in there and see if you can see where the oil is coming from. It doesn't look like much to me, I'd just ride the bike and hope some of the leak ends up on the chain, its very dry. The cost and time involved in chasing a very slight leak is a lot more than the cost of an extra teaspoon of oil a week.

[nmh5028]

In your last picture of the sprocket there are two shafts visible. The one in front of the sprocket is the clutch pushrod and the one under it is the gear selector shaft. The seals on either of these could be the problem, you need to clean thoroughly in there and see if you can see where the oil is coming from. It doesn't look like much to me, I'd just ride the bike and hope some of the leak ends up on the chain, its very dry. The cost and time involved in chasing a very slight leak is a lot more than the cost of an extra teaspoon of oil a week.

What do you mean my chain is dry? I'm using Dupont Teflon Chain saver every 600 miles. The can says that it is a dry lube and doesn't get greasy/wet like standard chain lube. Should I be using something else? The chain is pretty much brand new and I don't want to use the wrong stuff

[burning1]

Took a closer look at the pictures.

The top of the engine is your breather cover. It has to be removed when the valves are adjusted, and it's possible the previous owner damaged the gasket upon removal and didn't replace it. However, it's more likely that the breather line going to the airbox is bad. Replace it, and clean the engine.

Oil between the cylinder block and base gasket is concerning. Could also be a few other things such as fuel, but might be a sign of a leak. There is high pressure oil in outer studs that hold the cylinder block on. A bad seal here can cause a slight leak.

The oil around the cam chain sprocket cover and frame isn't very concerning at first glance. A lot of people over-lube the chain, or fail to clean it, and the sprocket area. Engine heats up, layers of grease melt, oil drips out. Clean the area thoroughly, clean the chain, lube lightly using a proper chain lube, and check again. I would *not* pull the shifter gasket until you confirm that it's the issue.