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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: newbieone on April 19, 2004, 10:57:41 AM

Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: newbieone on April 19, 2004, 10:57:41 AM
Any of you guys, have any oil leaks?  I think I have one near the upper piston sleeve gasket/seal?  Any advice on fixing?

Thanks
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: aslam on April 19, 2004, 11:14:11 AM
I'm not sure which one you're talking about but can you just replace the gasket?

ASLAM.
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: GRU on April 19, 2004, 11:17:08 AM
is the leak under the spark plug hole or? if the oil is leaking at the gasket that's under the spark plug hole then it's the cyl head gasket....if the leak is on top of the cyl head then it's the valve cover gasket which is easy to replace....
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: Jace009 on April 19, 2004, 11:28:56 AM
try tourquing down all the bolts again, one might have rattled lose. but consult your manual for the cylinder head bolts I don't remember the tourque spec off hand. The valve cover gasket bolts should be snug and then go 1/2 a turn 8)
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: newbieone on April 19, 2004, 01:24:29 PM
aight, the oil appears to be leaking on the front, near the exhaust exit tubes? There is some oil that has been collecting right there below that. Ill check the manual for torque specs, that sounds more logical bc my friend rode it yesterday and said he heard a rattle in the front. Anymore tips are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: Kerry on April 19, 2004, 01:57:04 PM
Not sure if this is in the right area, but check your tachometer cable.  It connects to the block just above the exhaust pipes (upper left area of the picture below, just underneath the valve cover).

(http://www.bbburma.net/MiscFotos/FrontFender.jpg)

If the cable connection is loose, oil may drip from there down past the pipes, and it may POSSIBLY cause a noise from the front (??).  Unscrew the cable the rest of the way, clean up the threads, wrap a layer or two of nylon plumber's tape around the threads, and reinstall.

Dunno  :dunno:  - worth a shot.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net.
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: newbieone on April 19, 2004, 02:41:47 PM
That is interesting. I will try that kerry thanks, but it appears to be in the middle of the pipes, there is a something that protrudes out b/w them and has a small bolt under it.  I checked for tightness and seemed tight, but I am starting to think it is the head gasket leaking. I cleaned up the area last night, and only noticed a small, and I mean small, amount of oil covering that area, with a some accumulating on the bottom part of the engine.  I'm a little concered with it, my buddy couldn't pin point the sound. Unfortunately, I have yet to ride it b/c I have to order a Helmet that will fit, b/c no one keeps XS ans S's in stock.

BTW: I noticed the light was out in my tach, so I removed it, to get to the bulb, should I use teflon tape on it as well?
Let me know
Thanks
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: Kerry on April 19, 2004, 03:16:41 PM
The Teflon tape is mostly to provide a tight, flexible fit so the cable won't vibrate loose.

I've never heard of the cable coming loose on the gauge end, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to tape it on that end.
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: newbieone on April 19, 2004, 10:29:13 PM
Aight ill check that out. Any other possiblities, could it be the head gasket? If it is, how hard is this to replace?
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: vtlion on April 20, 2004, 05:27:53 AM
I would say follow Kerry's advice... try the easy stuff first.  It'll take about 5 minutes.  My 97 leaks about a drop an hour from the tach-drive cable... its annoying, and when riding it runs across the engine and looks like something more serious.

If you are leaking from the cylinder cover, you'll need to get a new gasket (20 bucks) and remove the tank and cylinder cover to replace it... about an hour job if you haven't done it before.
Title: Oil Leak?
Post by: vtlion on April 20, 2004, 05:29:39 AM
oh yes, and if you decide to take the cylinder cover off then you will want a torque wrench... I'm good just tightening most bolts down blind, but when it comes to the engine I always borrow a torque wrence and put it back together at the proper torque specs.