Source of oil leak?

kongjie · 12-15-2013, 08:49 PM

Have smelled burning oil after riding but until now wasn't sure where it was coming from.

But today I noticed what looked like burnt oil on the cooling fins. Seems like it is above where the head gasket would be leaking, but I'm not sure. Any thoughts on if that is the likely culprit?

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JWR · 12-15-2013, 09:13 PM

What year model and miles?

kongjie · 12-16-2013, 12:26 AM

It's an '06 with about 4,500 miles on it. I bought it about 9 months ago with 700 miles on it. So even though it's low mileage, it's been around a while.

JWR · 12-16-2013, 12:50 AM

Cosmoline grease is used on the heads of the GZ.

As you can see, it is not liquid motor oil.
It will burn off over time.

kongjie · 12-16-2013, 12:53 AM

Well, that's good news then. Thanks for the response.

JohnC · 12-16-2013, 10:51 PM

Tighten the bolts holding the exhaust flanges to the head (carefully!)

kongjie · 12-17-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnC

Tighten the bolts holding the exhaust flanges to the head (carefully!)

I'll give that a try. Looks like the manual has the exhaust pipe bolts at 14 N m.

JohnC · 12-18-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kongjie

Looks like the manual has the exhaust pipe bolts at 14 N m.

sounds a little high. I think they're 6mm or less. Be sure you have the right value!

CMS · 12-19-2013, 06:29 PM

Mine looked just like yours, it was a head gasket,replaced it, and all was fine after that. It seems that a lot of the head gaskets have the problem and it seems to always be on the left side. At least thats what I read on the forum . Didn't think that my problem was a head gasket, but upon checking it out it was. I also replaced the Exhaust gaskets while I was at it. CMS

alantf · 12-20-2013, 04:11 AM

Same here. The mechanic tightened the head bolts and cured it, but it's started again, so I may have to replace the head gasket, too.

12-15-2013, 08:49 PM	#1
kongjie Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Portola Valley, CA Posts: 37	Source of oil leak? Have smelled burning oil after riding but until now wasn't sure where it was coming from. But today I noticed what looked like burnt oil on the cooling fins. Seems like it is above where the head gasket would be leaking, but I'm not sure. Any thoughts on if that is the likely culprit? Uploaded with ImageShack.us Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-15-2013, 09:13 PM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	What year model and miles? __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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12-16-2013, 12:26 AM	#3
kongjie Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Portola Valley, CA Posts: 37	It's an '06 with about 4,500 miles on it. I bought it about 9 months ago with 700 miles on it. So even though it's low mileage, it's been around a while. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-16-2013, 12:50 AM	#4
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Cosmoline grease is used on the heads of the GZ. As you can see, it is not liquid motor oil. It will burn off over time. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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12-16-2013, 12:53 AM	#5
kongjie Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Portola Valley, CA Posts: 37	Well, that's good news then. Thanks for the response. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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12-16-2013, 10:51 PM	#6
JohnC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	Tighten the bolts holding the exhaust flanges to the head (carefully!)
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12-19-2013, 06:29 PM	#9
CMS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 146	Mine looked just like yours, it was a head gasket,replaced it, and all was fine after that. It seems that a lot of the head gaskets have the problem and it seems to always be on the left side. At least thats what I read on the forum . Didn't think that my problem was a head gasket, but upon checking it out it was. I also replaced the Exhaust gaskets while I was at it. CMS __________________ You can never have enough motocycles 2017 Yamaha R -3 White 2013 Suzuki GW250 Black FSSNOC # 4953 Last edited by CMS; 12-19-2013 at 06:31 PM. Reason: spelling
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12-20-2013, 04:11 AM	#10
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Same here. The mechanic tightened the head bolts and cured it, but it's started again, so I may have to replace the head gasket, too. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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