yet another oil leak question

[kyp]

Hi guys,

I've got GS500 K9. She's now started dripping oil from the left side cover. Not too much but annoying. I suspect the left side(alternator) gasket is leaking. Can I simply seal the gasket with some sort of gasket adhesive? If I need to take alternator cover off, do I have to drain the oil as I've heard the stator is sitting in oil there?

any advise is greatly appreciated.

[Tombstones81]

First, make sure its not just the build up of crap under the sprocket cover. (quite common)

If it is, just clean it all out in there and slap it all back on and see if it leaks again.

If it is 100% the other cover on that side.
Just bite the bullet and buy a new gasket.

and yes, u have to drain the oil for it.

[slipperymongoose]

What he said    There are a couple videos as well on how to if your unsure.

[kyp]

Thanks for a quick reply. It's definitely not a chain lube or crap under the front sprocket cover as I did clean up this area at first. It's really difficult to find where the oil is coming from but as I said I suspect the alternator cover gasket as the oil drops from the lower point of that cover. The other possible place is the shifter seal(hopefully it's not)

[slipperymongoose]

Clean it all up n take it for ride n see where it's coming from

[craigs449]

On a side note, i replaced the alternator side cover gasket without draining the oil.  Just lean it over gently on its right side onto a milk crate under the rear peg and also under the right side handle grip....with a bunch of soft towels of course.  The OEM gasket was a real PITA to get off and the phillips head bolts holding the pickup to the cover would not budge so I had to leave the case attached by the wires to the rest of the bike.  Mine was leaking at a crack in the gasket (bike had sat for a year and this was just above the oil line...go figure) at the front-most bolt.  It would weep under pressure when running, but not when sitting.........


BTW, only lean it over to do this if you have very little fuel left in the tank to avoid spillage.

[mister]

As has been said, most likely get new gasket.  BUT FIRST, check to make sure the bolts are tight. Your problem might easily be solved by tightening loose bolts.

Michael

[craigs449]

As has been said, most likely get new gasket.  BUT FIRST, check to make sure the bolts are tight. Your problem might easily be solved by tightening loose bolts.

Michael

yes........and USE a torque wrench!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[slipperymongoose]

Failing that just try not to strip the bolt heads.

[bryan88]

 "On a side note, i replaced the alternator side cover gasket without draining the oil."
As I suspected, a MX/off-road rider 

[craigs449]

"On a side note, i replaced the alternator side cover gasket without draining the oil."
As I suspected, a MX/off-road rider 

HAHA.....Yes!   Hated to waste that oil!  I put my slipper clutch in my SMR the same way because that  AGIP 10-W-60 oil costs nearly an arm and a leg!

[kyp]

does anybody know what is the torque spec for the cover nuts? Are there any tricks with gasket installation(do I need to degrease area or anything) or it's simple as plug'n'play?

[craigs449]

I did mine to 5 ft/lbs.......just be sure to remove the old gasket material as best you can and try not to nick the mating surface with the razor blade.  I also put a dab of blue (don't use the red in this area!!!!!!) loctite on all the bolts upon re-assembly.

[slipperymongoose]

What he said above. Make sure the surfaces are clean, also thinly smear grease on the gasket to aid in sealing, or some gasket sealer.

[J T]

Based on my recent oil leak (fix  in progress), I'd plan on going ahead and replacing the alternator cover gasket.  Whoever put mine in must have been drunk when they installed it.

[kyp]

The job is done. I haven't got an opportunity to ride it for long due to bad weather but after 10km no leaks. Hopefully it won't leak again. Thanks everybody for their input, the info was really helpful as I'm new to the motorbikes.