Motor Leaks Oil (Update: Not anymore!)

[Foxtrot Tango]

So canyon carving near Lake Elizabeth, CA this Sunday, I discovered my '02 GS500E is equipped with an RTLS. What is an RTLS, you say? Rear Tire Lubrication System.

And by that, I mean it leaks oil, and some of that gets onto the rear tire. The left side of my tire has splatters of dark oil on it.

This was discovered in the canyons halfway home at a gas station -- thankfully I got home with no issues or loss of control. (If I wasn't still learning, I would be leaning over way more, and more likely to have crashed than now. Funny how that works.)

So not only do I barely have any oil in the engine at all (Oil level is definitely on the L on the dipstick), it does leak. There is a film of oil or oil dripping from basically the entire lower side of the engine as well as the left side. It's not bleeding or puking it out, it just leaves slightly-higher than normal splatter on the ground compared to other bikes, which is why I haven't noticed it.

Possible causes:

A) The bike was serviced recently, the mechanics may have broken the engine gaskets or put the cases on improperly.
B) The bike may have been sitting longer than expected before I bought it (it's used) and the gaskets may have gone bad? The fuel lines and petcock were bad, and the carb had to be cracked open and cleaned.

Either way, one of my mechanically-inclined friends (and a riding partner) suggests that new engine gaskets might fix the issue.

Questions for the reader:

1) Is my friend correct, i.e. will new gaskets be the best approach? Or is it most likely something else?
1a) If new gaskets are the best approach, can this be done solo? Or is it better to get serviced by a pro? I'm comfortable wrenching on stuff but I've never done much of it.
2) Is my rear tire screwed, will a new one be required? I'm not heartbroken over it; it's old and I was going to replace the tires by spring.

[adidasguy]

Get the engine spotless and dry. Clean all off all oil and be sure it is 100% dry.

treat it like a baby: splash baby powder all over it. make it feel all clean and fluffy like a baby's behind.

You will see the origin of the oil leaks in the baby powder.
Once you know where the leaks are originating, it will be easy to determine now to fix it.

[codajastal]

What lubricant was used on the chain? This can cause tire splatter (ask me how I know)


Just re-read your post
nevermind
Clean engine first of all and then keep an eye on where the oil is coming from

[Big Rich]

First order of business : find out where it's leaking from. You know it's on the left side already, so get some engine degreaser and pull the sprocket cover off. Once the entire motor is clean and dry (including the side cover & oil pan), throw some baby powder (or similar) around any areas that have a remote possibility of leaking oil. Run the bike around the block a few times and check for any oily/pasty leaks. Then we can diagnose the issue.

And FWIW: rubber can soak up chemicals - so I would get a new tire. Especially because you already kind of want to.

You guys post too fast .......so I'm replying anyway.

[adidasguy]

I had to read it a couple times to appreciate his sense of humor!

[mitch79]

Everything mentioned so far is correct but I'll add that oil from leaks will naturally gravitate rearwards and down, so follow the the oil leak forwards and up.
It's impossible for us to know where it's leaking from however as it has been recently serviced the first place I would look is the oil filter cover. It's easy to pinch the seal on re-installation.

[BockinBboy]

I have enjoyed most all your posts so far Foxtrot, thanks for that!

...But on to the topic...
I want to +1 on Big Rich's comment about the tires. 

And FWIW: rubber can soak up chemicals - so I would get a new tire. Especially because you already kind of want to.

I remember you commenting about the tires a few posts back, and now knowing they have had oil on on em... Rubbers do draw in chemicals plus yours are older (you can check date code as well)...  You will be amazed at what good rubbers will do for your confidence out on the road... Never ride with doubtful tires.

- Bboy

[sledge]

Before you get the baby powder out check the breather first. If its clogged the crankcase will pressurise and you will be chasing oil leaks forever.

[Foxtrot Tango]

Baby powder....ingenious! I'm sure the neighbors won't mind the big scary guy in black leather riding around the 'hood with a motorcycle that looks like it's cocaine habit is out of control.

Will try this shortly. Also, good call on the oil filter cover. The chain could also probably use a bath (last cleaning: 2nd term of Bush administration?)

Thanks for the help.

My roommates are going to think I've lost it. "Hey, I'm going to get some 10W-40 and baby powder. Be back in a bit!"

[Big Rich]

Sledge brings up another great point - the breather tube. I can't speak for the 500, but on some bikes the hose is routed near something hot, which melts the tube until it's sealed shut.

[adidasguy]

Breather could get squished or bent & pinched but is nowhere near anything hot on a GS500 to melt it. If it does melt, you have worse problems.....

[Foxtrot Tango]

So here's what I've done so far:

-Cleaned and lubricated the chain
-Cleaned the motorcycle (she shines now!) especially the engine areas
-Added 1L of Motul 10W-40 synthetic because my engine oil quantity was danger low; it was hard to get a reading at all unless you shook the bike around and tried it like three times
-Bathed engine in baby powder
-Took a GS500 that looked like the end of Scarface out for a brief 15 minute ride around the neighborhood, mostly in 1st and 2nd, but up to 30 MPH or so, so revs varied from 3K to 9K.

End result: Thanks to the Scarface effect, you can already tell where the oil is leaking. So far there is one site on the upper left where the engine mates to the case cover that is already weeping oil. I have to run but I'll check back in a bit and maybe add pictures. Thanks a lot!

[sikiriki]

I have been changing gaskets since I bought the thing. Mine too is 2002. Only thing left is rings on the tacho cable, the part that goes to the cylinder head. Hoping to put the oil consumption down from quart/1k miles.

Changing gaskets is not a science, if you know what bolts look like. Part that is hard is separating that damn things from the metal. They become one, literally. It took me good 3 hours of scraping for each one of them.

That being said, I gave up on motul and just put cheap car oil in. I overfill a little so that it creates a little bit of a drag on the clutch. Enough for me to know when the gear changes start to be smooth, it needs oil 

Now with 15t sprocket I drive it around 8k constantly, I gave up on dipstick and low oil consumption. It's just the joy of gs ownership.

Hope this helps. Don't worry. Change the gaskets, they are cheap on bikebandit. Undo the screws and pull the cover. Before pulling like mad, check you removed all the screws   and prepare to destroy fingers removing  old gasket.
Be carefull not to damage soft aluminium. Before putting new gaskets I soaked them in oil. Dunno if it's right but I do it so.

NEVER let oil go below low mark.

I'm on peninsula, planning to check out that mines road soon. I'm always up for some company. 

Ride safe.

All the best.

[crzydood17]

I just did the oil cooler and side gaskets on my bike, I used abrasive polishing wheels and a high powered dremel to blast those damn gaskets off, you will need quite a few of them though as they are soft and when they hit the aluminum they just go to pieces (wear eye protection... ask me how I know).

If you can't replace the rear tire yet just go to a secluded parking lot and do a nice burnout to clean off as much of the oil as possible. I did my best but couldn't get the extreme edges but it seems to be fine and a little soap and water can help pull the rest out.

As far as the gasket install goes, use some red RTV, Since I did not use any abrasives on the engine side I didn't put any RTV on that side, but on the cases I gave them a small bead and smoothed it out as much as possible before putting the gasket on. Both of my gaskets came off nice and easy with the gasket attached firmly. Peal off what you can and dremel the rest (again with a low abrasive material, aluminum is sooooooft). Torque everything to spec if you have a torque wrench, I used the old gudentaight method. Retorque after a heat cycle. I am free and clear of all leaks and not a speck of oil under the bike... now I just need to get out and clean the damn thing.

[Foxtrot Tango]

If you can't replace the rear tire yet just go to a secluded parking lot and do a nice burnout to clean off as much of the oil as possible. I did my best but couldn't get the extreme edges but it seems to be fine and a little soap and water can help pull the rest out.

The leftmost part of the tire, i.e. my chicken strip, is the one most affected. I do not yet have the skill to do some sort of stunt knee-down burnout circle of awesome. Besides, there is already some cracking (inside the tread grooves) so it just needs to go.

Thanks for the tip with the gaskets though. By RTV do you mean RTV Silicone?

[crzydood17]

http://www.all-spec.com/products/81160.html?gclid=CKjwv5OO37MCFS-RPAodpTQAiQ

this is what i used. worked a treat.

[Big Rich]

Try it without the RTV first though. And if you do need some sealant, use the least amount possible. Because it does break down in hot oil, and can clog oil passages.

[Foxtrot Tango]

So after another 30 minute spin, yes, this thing is literally dripping oil.

Reference this: http://www.powersportsplus.com/parts/search/Suzuki/Motorcycle/2002/GS500/CRANKCASE%20COVER/parts.html Gasket #15 seems to be the one at fault; I'm ordering a gasket for the oil pan just in case, as well as an oil filter and Gasket #2 (the bottom of that one is slightly moistened but not bleeding 10W-40). Gasket #15 is literally dripping oil all over the frame and side of the oil pan (and also my rear tire!)

Does anyone have any experience with this site?

The bike is rideable; but it's a rodeo. Despite being in the desert; everyone has a lawn, and this lawn must be watered or else your kids will grow up to become axe murderers (??). This water runs down the sides of the roads and forms little streams at intersections. Oily rear tire and water causes some wobbling when going over that wet strip. When I try to practice the MSF Panic Brake, the rear end slips out and also wobbles. Could be technique -- not hard enough on the front brake? -- but I wouldn't expect it to go sideways.

[crzydood17]

DO NOT RIDE WITH A OILED UP TIRE!

Replace both side case gaskets and the oil pan if needed, also if you have a GS500F replace the oil cooler washer gaskets. Entire job can be done in a couple of hours and your on the road again.

[sledge]

Is it leaking from several places at the same time?

You definately need to check the breather.