Engine oil left side leak

[kaput]

Hi, I think I saw someone with a similar problem to this a few months ago but couldnt find the post and at the time someone said it was glue or something so I cleaned it and forgot about it.

Mine is defiantly oil of some sort and I think it is coming from the left exhaust header. I am thinking my bike is running rich may be causing this and have ran 1 tank (out of 3 probably) of B-12 through it so far and just replaced the air filter and am hoping this will clear up the problem in another tank.

It looks like it is coming from the exhaust but was wondering if anyone else had any other thoughts.

The oil pretty much dries up on the cooling metal there and never hits the ground, seems to be preforming fine apart from 50mpg rather than the 80 I would like.

I cleaned this 1 week ago, probably +-200 miles. Here is a pic...

Thanks,
-=kaput=-

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by kaput

It looks like it is coming from the exhaust but was wondering if anyone else had any other thoughts.

I have a couple of thoughts for you:

1) "Running rich" doesn't cause things like that.
2) I think it is coming not from the exhaust but from something behind that nice shiny cover with the two large bolts holding it on......maybe the valve cover (gasket) or even the spark plug itself or worst case, head gasket.

I suggest you clean it again and then check it after (or maybe even during) every ride for a couple of days to get a better idea of where it is really coming from. This is probably best done with that shiny cover OFF. (Note that there is some "crud" on the carb too.)

If it is NOT the assembly lube we talked about on some other bikes, it should come off relatively easy, like with some spray carb cleaner. Use a big rag to catch the run-off so it won't stain stuff below.

It looks like it could be getting fairly serious; I think you should try to track it down SOON.

[kaput]

Easy,
I agree it is not looking good for sure and needs to be diagnosed. I have cleaned the carb off too and believe the crud is coming from the same source (basically getting blown back there).

30 minutes later...
So I took the chrome cover off and did see what looked like oil leaking from the valve cover gasket (I also called my local shop and found it is a silicone gasket seal). Spark plug is nice and clean and the head gasket is also so looks like good news.

I cleaned everything up again and going to do a daily check this week and put the new seal in this weekend if that is the problem. I had not cleaned under that cover before so I think I will know for sure in a day or 2.

Thanks for the advise,
-=Kaput=-

update...here is a pic with an arrow pointing to what looks to be the source.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by kaput

update...here is a pic with an arrow pointing to what looks to be the source.

I had a pretty strong hunch about where the leak was......in general. My knowlege ends there; the rest is speculation.

I do NOT know the details of the top end of a GZ but from the picture, it looks to be an over-head cam arrangement. If that is true, then the gasket in question may not be a simple "valve cover gasket" and might require removing the cams to replace it. NOT a process to be taken lightly because severe engine damage could result if it isn't put back together exactly right.

I hope I am wrong. You really NEED a shop manual before you tackle this operation; if you don't have one, you could end up being VERY sorry. Maybe all that piece has in it is rocker arms; if that's the case, all you would need after re-assembly would be a valve adjustment.

Good luck.

[kaput]

From Page 45 in the Service Manual it seems to be called the "cylinder head cover" and simply unbolts. I take it the "Shop Manual" is far more detailed?

I think my biggest worry is being able to remove it without removing the engine.

In any case, it seems to be more of a mess than a major problem.

Has anyone done this before?

thanks,
-=kaput=-

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by kaput

I take it the "Shop Manual" is far more detailed?

No, same thing, generic term.

I think you will find it is not much of a problem .......after you take the tank off.

Good luck!!

[kaput]

So 2 days later and I am 100% sure it is the cylinder head cover seal. Nice clean oil leaking now :2tup:

I think I will tackle this tomorrow if it is nice out.

[gossterd]

Check out this link:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1236

Read down, a fellow owner tackled this problem in detail :-)

[kaput]

So I did the job today, not too difficult and I think I did it right. No spare parts leftover :2tup:

The Orange stuff in the first pic is high temp silicone I put on as a bandaid to see if the oil leak would stop. Ugly and ghetto but it is now done right (I think.) Here are some photos.











Looks nice and clean now, hopefully it stays that way. :rawk:

[Water Warrior 2]

Good pics. We don't often get to see the inside of a GZ. Also glad there weren't any parts left over.