Crankcase cover leak?

[llaen]

Hi all,

I've had this apparently worsening mess on the left crankcase cover.
Before I go and drain the oil and open the cover, I wanted to get some input from people who know more than me about servicing the bike.

Is it most likely that the problem is with the cover gasket (#15 in http://www.sturgessonline.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=7247&section=300542&year=2004&make=SUZUKI&category=Motorcycles&dc=2134&name=CRANKCASE+COVER) or is it likely something more sinister.




Thanks!!

[crobwolfpack]

Not sure on the left side, but on the right side I had an oil leak that was just the same gasket, but for the right side.  An absolute pain to get off, but it fixed the leak!

[Bluesmudge]

Clean up all the oil and then dust it with baby powder to pinpoint where the leak is coming from. Its not clear from the picture, but oil in that location could also be the cylinder base gasket.

[knowles]

I would bet its cylinder thats leaking, if it was that side gasget that was leaking it would normally have the oil on the bottom of the case not the top.

[llaen]

Oh no...

I was hoping it's the side gasket and oil gets thrown out of there during high rpms or something.

So would I be looking at part 8 here: http://www.sturgessonline.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=300539&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=2004&fveh=7247
Or is it #5 here: http://www.sturgessonline.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=300540&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=2004&fveh=7247

I assume the only way to get to that is by removing the whole engine...

Thanks for the help guys.

[Leadberry]

You need to physically find the leak yourself before blindly taking someone else's word and tearing your engine apart.  My bike has an oil leak in the exact same spot as yours, and mine is coming from that side cover gasket.  Wipe everything clean, then start the engine while standing on the left side of the bike.  At least in my case, when I rev the engine (thereby increasing crankcase pressure), I can actually see the oil coming out of the top of the side cover.  I suggest you try this procedure.

[llaen]

You need to physically find the leak yourself before blindly taking someone else's word and tearing your engine apart.  My bike has an oil leak in the exact same spot as yours, and mine is coming from that side cover gasket.  Wipe everything clean, then start the engine while standing on the left side of the bike.  At least in my case, when I rev the engine (thereby increasing crankcase pressure), I can actually see the oil coming out of the top of the side cover.  I suggest you try this procedure.

Yeah, that's what I was planning on doing first. Thanks.
Good to hear that you had a similar problem. Well, good for me that is .

[Bluesmudge]

Also check around the cam chain tensioner, this is another place it could be leaking and end up where we see oil in the photo.

When you park the bike on the side-stand, any oil from the area can pool up there. Don't assume its coming from where you currently see it. Do the baby powder thing.

[llaen]

I did the baby powder test and thankfully it turned out that it is indeed the cover gasket. Phew!

This is the second oil leak this season (different place of course), making me wonder when the next one is going to pop out.

Thanks for all the help!