This is a 2007 GS500F with 6800 miles on it. I can see that at the front-left corner of the engine here, there is what appears to be shiny oil, and I can also see that this is where the cylinder head attaches to the crankcase. Could it possibly be anything else? If not, is there a way to fix it that doesn't involve taking the whole engine apart? And if not, do you think I'm good to just ignore it? It's been there for at least a couple of months, probably since I've had the bike doesn't seem to have lost much oil at all in the two months since I last changed it.
(http://audoh.co.uk/img/basegasket.jpg)
Actually, on further research, it seems to be the head gasket (!).
probably wouldn't leave it, is it the head gasket? Not likely. its these little plastic o-ring things. they supply pressurized oil to the cam-shaft and valve buckets it actually runs up one of the cylinder head studs. numbers 9 below.
(https://cdn1.bikebandit-images.com/schematics/schematics/suzuki/suz012/su0209026021.gif)
Walker is right - probably just those little orings. The bad news is that you'll need to take the top of the engine off.....the good news is that it can be done with the engine in the frame. It might sound daunting, but if you follow the service manual to the LETTER (including what else needs replaced while taking the head off) and take your time, it's really not all that bad.
The issue is more not having a garage, I'd be stuck doing the work outdoors in freezing weather with just a few hours before sunset. Not really ideal for proper engine work, so I don't really have a great choice but to pay someone else to do it. Thanks anyway.
Yeah, its not a job you want to be doing outdoors. Especially if its your first time that deep in the engine.
Keep in mind that it could be something else. When the bike sits on the side stand all the oil gathers there, making any leak in that area look like a head gasket leak. Could also be the cam chain tensioner gasket or even the valve cover gasket.
The best way to know for sure is to clean the engine really well with engine degreaser and then give it a dusting of talc (baby powder). Go for a ~15 minute ride and the source of the oil leak will be very apparent in the powder.
Quote from: Bluesmudge on November 06, 2017, 02:29:00 PM
Yeah, its not a job you want to be doing outdoors. Especially if its your first time that deep in the engine.
Keep in mind that it could be something else. When the bike sits on the side stand all the oil gathers there, making any leak in that area look like a head gasket leak. Could also be the cam chain tensioner gasket or even the valve cover gasket.
The best way to know for sure is to clean the engine really well with engine degreaser and then give it a dusting of talc (baby powder). Go for a ~15 minute ride and the source of the oil leak will be very apparent in the powder.
Ah yeah, that photo there is the front of the bike, so the opposite side to the cam chain tensioner. I'll give the powder trick a shot and see what I get.
Probably not the CCT, but the oil will travel a long way along those fins when the bike is sitting overnight on the side stand.