HELP! Oil Leak - Right side by Exhaust

[aflaskerud]

I acquired my First Motorcycle - GS500F  . I noticed a little bit of oil build up at the bottom of the Cowling so I removed the lower cowling on the right side.
Both of the exhaust bolt were loose on the right side, and the bottom exhaust bolt was lightly covered in oil. There was also a little oil build up on the right side cooling fins also.

Any Idea what may be causing this? Has this happened to anyone else? I can E-Mail a few pics if someone wants to help a motorcycle noob out!

Thanks in advance!

[aflaskerud]

Any ideas? Cleaned the motor up...might be from an old fuel leak that was fixed but not cleaned. Help a brother out!

[Big Rich]

Try posting pics with Photobucket or similar. There's quite a few places oil can leak from, and pictures would help a lot....

[aflaskerud]

OK....I'm on it. Thnx Big R!

[aflaskerud]

http://s1078.photobucket.com/user/aflaskerud/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20140528_180823_zps96eba5fe.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

[robfriedenberger]

I woudln't worry about that, how many miles you got on it ?

A little bit of oil leaking from the head isn't a big deal unless its leaking like a sieve. If your really worried about it though it looks like you'll need a new gasket kit....

[gsJack]

I can't see that clearly but if the oil is coming down from above the exhaust pipe it's probably from the valve cover gasket a most likely place for a GS oil leak near the top.  If so change it next valve check time.  I've found valve cover gaskets to last about 30k miles until they leak, your mileage may vary.  With 100k+ miles on my current Gs I'm not bothered much by oil leaks unless I'm leaving puddles where I park.   

[yamahonkawazuki]

the o ring . replace it. BUT it happens anyways. its one of the quirks of our old sewing machines

[yamahonkawazuki]

geek mod

geek mod with psp9 edit btw geek mod is not a sign of disrespect. its assistance from fellow members posting pics etc or other matters

[aflaskerud]

It has 7,420 showing on the odometer. I was guessing either the valve cover gasket, or the head gasket (if thats what it's called), BTW where is the O-Ring located Yama spoke of (valve cover)? Got the bike from my son-in-law who lost his job and needed cash, he said they are original miles not turned over. Scored it for $1,000

Thanks guys for sharing your wisdom with me! Im taking my MSF class this weekend since I've never actually ridden a motorcycle before.

[gsJack]

I think yama was referring to the o-rings (part 9) around the cylinder head bolts at the 4 corners.  Could be but I'd be hoping for a leaking valve cover gasket.     You might make sure that bolt in the center (part 10) is tight that goes upward from cylinders into head.

http://www.shspowersports.com/fiche_image_popup.asp?fveh=7247&section=300539&year=2004&make=SUZUKI&category=Motorcycles&dc=3378&name=CYLINDER+HEAD

[aflaskerud]

Thanks alot Jack! I did notice some leaking around the valve cover on the left side also, but very little.

Torque Spec Help:

Exhaust Bolts? (Right side were loose so I gently snugged them)
Valve Cover Bolts?
Center Head bolt? Part #10 on the image you linked me to.

[gsJack]

I rarely ever torque anything except cylinder heads and cam journal caps when doing engine work but here's a link to torque values listed in the wiki.  If you don't find what you want use the chart at the bottom based on bolt size.  Lot's of good info in the wiki when you get time to look it over.

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Main.TorqueSettings

[yamahonkawazuki]

well there were those at the corners. but iirc theres something behind the manifold that's what I was referring to. I see a wet joint there.