I just bought a gs500f 2004 30k mileage and am trying to improve nthe health of the engine and get some much need maintenance done.
I just did a full oil change with non synthetic 10w40 motorcycle oil and I added a tiny amount of seafoam, it was eyeballed but far less than whats recommended into the oil. I understand this is a solevant and people hate it or love it, you can have seals dissolve etc. I should have added it to the old oil and then changed it after running it a bit. Made that mistake so I am juat going to change the new oil again.
The first day I let it idle the second day rode around the block once for 2-3 minutes got up Into second went 40 miles an hour. Things ive noticed. Immediately upon changing it, my bike pulls out of idle into first with a lot more power at a lower rpm and wants to stall less without reving it up to 3-4k rpm with a slow clutch release. I can now rev it to between 2-3k and give a much faster clutch release without a stall. I dont have a huge power drop upon working the clutch.
A few stop signs in I smell burning rubber so I head home and park it. If you look in the picture you can see where I spotted melting rubber. Im not sure of the source yet im waiting for it to cool down. I also have oil leaking from my filter very slow leak only after running the engine, I suspect thr oring isnt laying flst in the groove because it came in my filter box folded over so it doesnt lay flat, im not sure how to get the filter cover on without the oring slipping out of the groove. The second day I also put a tiny amount of seafoam Into the gastank far below whats recommended, to give you some indication I still have 80% of my seafoam can left from both oil and gas.
I noticed on day two there is oil? On my left suspension pole for my front wheel. Maybe thats always been there but im just now noticing it.
The bike running stronger could have everything to do with freah oil and nothing to do with the seafoam.
I just changed the fuel lines two days ago because I had gas leaks from them. The molten rubber is on the right side of the bike and not the left. And I have no gas issues.
We can probably agree the seafoams a bad idea, I just want advice on how to proceed here, the bike engine sounds fine/runs great. I think I am changing the oil again and leaving it this time. My oil light isnt even on the leaks slow, it would be nice to have a flat oring. The hoses have never moved but the molten rubber is right underneath a hose touching the engine so all I can think is the seafoam is honestly running the engine with more heat I think it might be a vacumn/water hose. Im also seeing what looks like oil on my tire, small drops
I was going to pist pictures but It says upload folder is full. The bottom right side of the bike (if your sitting on it) theres a nut on the engine block holding two hoses in the muffler pipe right below it has molten rubber on it.
Wow - long post. Welcome to the site.
I think it's safe to say you can remove the Seafoam from any of your problem diagnosing. Such small amounts won't hurt anything (but I am one of those people that will say it doesn't really help anything either).
For the oring around the oil filter cover: take some bearing grease and pack it in the channel for the oring. That grease will hold the oring well enough for the installation, and won't hurt your engine.
I can't really help with the burnt rubber though..... can you see what it is attached to? Probably just an airbox drain hose or something similar. And to upload pictures, you'll need a (free) account on Photobucket.
Yeah sorry for it being so long winded, ill have se pictures up soon, honestly when I changed my fuel lines the vacuum line(if I am understanding the diagrams) looks like the one thats melting? I see what looks like molten rubber on the end of it, I took the oldone and shortened it an inch or two because it tore off when trying to pull it off, so its no longer in the frame clip with two other hoses at the bottom of the bike, the weird thing is I do not see anything its touching, maybe ita only when the bikes in motion.
How nessecary is this hose? It seems to not serve a great purpose unless it needs to be pointed in the direction of travel to create pressure in the gas tank to feed fuel. I am relieved to hear that it probably has nothing to do with it.
This kust started happening after I change the oil and add this stuff.
My fork seal on the left side is leaking oil now as of today. Is this the same oil as the engine or is it separated. Im wondering if seafoam dissolved a seal. Seems unlikely.
Somebody with a GS500 will have to help you with that hose - I don't know what hoses are where (not enough to give advice anyway).
But yes, fork oil is very different than engine oil.
ok, so these things just ended up happening all around the same time. I hate how tight all of these hoses are, to really be sure it looks like I have to pull everything apart and inspect it. Ill get some pictures soon will look at tomorrow pulling stuff out to get a better look.
If its clipped to the frame on the right hand side it'll be one of the drain hoses, the end of one of mine looked like it was melted as well, its just the way the end of that pipe looks for some reason I think, got a funny feeling it was the airbox drain but could be wrong.
I think that's just the way those hose looks. it comes off the airbox and doesnt do much. i thought it was odd too upon seeing it. I don't think i'd worry too much about the hose man.
Well when I replaced the hoses which was a day before the oil change, the air/vacuum hose tore at the top so I used the same hose but clipped it a couple inches. It no longer is in the frame clip on the right side because its too short. There is definitely molten rubber dripping onto my exhaust pipe right near the hose clip after riding a bit and looking underneath the bike the end of the hose that now hangs looks molten a bit. All of this happened at the same time as the seafoam, but I cant think of anything other than the hose bounces around and is touching a really hot part of the engine. Im not even sure if its that hose however. But theres definitely melting rubber and I can see where its dripping onto the exhaust so later after work im going to pop the tank off and inspect it.
I'm not saying you're wrong - but I do want to point out: if a drain hose is directly above the exhaust, it just might be cooked on oily residue.
I have seen rubber hoses melted to the exhaust, but I've seen sludge bake on the exhaust as well.
I could be wrong, I think it looks like something but this is my first motorcycle and im learning the maintenance from YouTube videos and this awesome forum and website. But if I can defeat this smell :D
The gs500f should take approximately 3 quarts? My dipstick doesnt even show an oil line. My oil light came on when I first started her after changing it but went off and is still off. I didnt think my leak was bad at all ive only seen a few drops come off after running it and warming the oil up.
Is there any oil ever running through a hose or is it all contained within the block? Ive heard of seafoam disolving seals, I think its unlikely but I just want to rule out my oil dripping from anywhere other than the drain bolt or the filter housing. Rule out the burning rubber smell is oil dripping on my exhaust pipe. I guess it could be.
The "oil on the dip stick" thing is pretty well covered here on the site. A quick search would give you better details than I could type out.
The only oil flowing thru hoses is back and forth to an oil cooler. Now, it is possible to get watered down oil from the airbox drain hose.
Ok thanks rich ill look at it. Im a lot less worried about it now doesn't sound like anything critical
It's very important that you don't rely on the oil light to tell you when you're running low, because if the light comes on, its often already to late.
Quote from: baronduff on April 11, 2016, 06:22:09 AM
It's very important that you don't rely on the oil light to tell you when you're running low, because if the light comes on, its often already to late.
Way way too late, that light is for pressure, not volume! Then the question is "How much is this going to cost me?" 😱