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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: zer028 on July 27, 2013, 12:34:34 AM

Title: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: zer028 on July 27, 2013, 12:34:34 AM
Hey everyone. (ill try to keep it short) I was on my way to work today and while going 50mph. The engine rocked a bit then started losing power radpidly. Within a min the bike died and I pulled over. I checked the oil and it was basicly out?? Drain stick was empty. (just got it and didnt know about how much oil it eats) I poured 2.8quarts into the bike. Now it starts sometimes but I cant go over 30mph or it dies again and I have to wait awhile for it to start. Then I noticed oil leaking. (ill have to provide pictures tomorrow) but its leaking oil slowly. Any help please? Thank you!
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: adidasguy on July 27, 2013, 12:47:43 AM
Pictures and more info will help

Understand that Gs500's do nt eat oil. If your motor is using oil and leaking, there is something wrong. All my GS500's rarely ever need oil. One bike I sold to nortwestrider went 6000 miles round trip to the arctic circle and only lost some oil when a gasket leaked less than 1000 miles into the trip. Then I was told it was only about a cup or two. Once the leak patched, 5000 more miles and oil was fine.
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: zer028 on July 27, 2013, 07:17:56 AM
Ok thanks. 'Im back on campus so when I get home next weekend ill take several clear pics and show where its leaking. But its hard for me to say cause the whole underbottom is moist. The big silver thingy on bottom that has the engravings of "Suzuki". Lol i dont know my bikes anatomy yet
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: adidasguy on July 27, 2013, 09:20:30 AM
You can locate the oil leak if you clean the engine. Let it dry then sprinkle with baby powder. The origin of the leaks will be quite obvious as the baby powder turns dark.
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: gsJack on July 27, 2013, 10:10:20 AM
Quote from: zer028 on July 27, 2013, 12:34:34 AM...............................the bike died and I pulled over. I checked the oil and it was basicly out?? Drain stick was empty. (just got it and didnt know about how much oil it eats) I poured 2.8 quarts into the bike.............................

If your bike died 2.8 quarts of oil low you could have more problems than an oil leak, could be serious engine damage.  Did you check oil with bike held vertical, if you filled to the mark with bike on sidestand you could be seriously overfull.

Quote from: adidasguy on July 27, 2013, 12:47:43 AM.................Understand that Gs500's do nt eat oil. If your motor is using oil and leaking, there is something wrong. All my GS500's rarely ever need oil.

My GSs didn't require oil between changes for the first 20-30k miles and used very little for another 20k or so but after that they slowly self-converted into 500cc oil pumps.  After 80k or so they were unsuitable for high speed freeway commuting unless you carried a little oil with you to make sure you got home.
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: Leadberry on July 27, 2013, 01:57:03 PM
Quote from: adidasguy on July 27, 2013, 12:47:43 AM
Pictures and more info will help

Understand that Gs500's do nt eat oil. If your motor is using oil and leaking, there is something wrong. All my GS500's rarely ever need oil. One bike I sold to nortwestrider went 6000 miles round trip to the arctic circle and only lost some oil when a gasket leaked less than 1000 miles into the trip. Then I was told it was only about a cup or two. Once the leak patched, 5000 more miles and oil was fine.

I would be careful here.  Your experiences don't necessarily apply to all GS500 engines everywhere.  Some oil consumption is normal with internal combustion engines.  My bike will take a pint or so over the course of a couple/few months.  About 20k miles on it.
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: weedahoe on July 27, 2013, 08:18:37 PM
What is it with all these threads of people riding and not checking their oil?  :dunno_black:

Thats a very costly mistake  :cry:
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: fetor56 on July 27, 2013, 08:48:35 PM
Quote from: weedahoe on July 27, 2013, 08:18:37 PM
What is it with all these threads of people riding and not checking their oil?  :dunno_black:

Thats a very costly mistake  :cry:
I thought the same thing myself.....oil is blood.
Title: Re: Typical Problem anyone?
Post by: Wagoneer on July 27, 2013, 09:26:43 PM
I check my oil before I get on the bike every single time. Literally takes 20sec.

Mine uses about a liter between oil changes, 32,000km on it. I notice it does burn more during extended high speed highway runs. But we're talking an hour at +7,000rpm, that's only to be expected.

I've read a million times that low oil is the only way to kill these engines. Check your oil!!