Engine oil leak (from base gasket)

[Phil]

Hi all,
I bought an 850GT (45kkm) as a rebuilt project bike.
I have no maintenance history.
The engine gaskets are not original (they are green).
I managed to start it. In about 10 minutes of running, more than an ounce of motor oil leaked from the center of the engine from the gasket between the base and the cylinder block.
What's you take about that?
Is there any way I can postpone a major overhaul to winter time as I would prefer riding?

[Nessism]

Green gaskets you say?

IMG_1930 by nessism, on Flickr

[Phil]

Green gaskets you say?

Yes green gasket like this.
Is this the same material as your picture?
If not, is there any issue about it?

PXL_20220802_120914499 by pwauthy, sur Flickr

[Nessism]

If you look at my photo you can see how the green gasket literally crushed and was extruded out of position under the cylinder. The material is way too soft for use in a base gasket.

You can try tightening up the head nuts and see what happens. There is a very good chance that when you check the torque you will find the nuts quite loose, that's because the gasket is crushing and releasing the torque.

[Phil]

If you look at my photo you can see how the green gasket literally crushed and was extruded out of position under the cylinder. The material is way too soft for use in a base gasket.

You can try tightening up the head nuts and see what happens. There is a very good chance that when you check the torque you will find the nuts quite loose, that's because the gasket is crushing and releasing the torque.

Thanks a lot Nessim, I’m grateful.

[letchworth rider]

Original equipment gaskets for top end, especially head gasket or you will do it again. From experience and many on this site.

[joe penoso]

What if O.E.M. head gaskets are not available?
joepenoso

[fastbysuzuki]

They are available at a price, the head gasket is a multilayered steel gasket when using this you do not use the cam tunnel oring ( the oblong one) personally I use blue Hilomar on the base gasket if you don't it will leak maybe not soon after or a lot longer but it will leak sooner or later

[Nessism]

They are available at a price, the head gasket is a multilayered steel gasket when using this you do not use the cam tunnel oring ( the oblong one) personally I use blue Hilomar on the base gasket if you don't it will leak maybe not soon after or a lot longer but it will leak sooner or later

Base gaskets go on DRY...if using a stock Suzuki gasket, that is. Follow the factory Suzuki service manual guidelines of torquing the head on a periodic schedule, and the surfaces will remain dry for decades.

[fastbysuzuki]

Nessism we will have to agree to disagree on the sealer

[chuck hahn]

PHIL....
If the parts fiche shows a certain part is NLA (usually indicated by no price listed for said part ) then copy and paste part numbers in ebay search box. Maybe an NOS one is listed there.

If you own an old bike you gotta know how to hunt things down.

[Phil]

Which do you recommend: Nippon Machine or NOS?
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/174688913118...=item28ac4546d e:g:hoUAAOSwoQpcyIYX
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/222677793858...em33d8a17c42:g :aCUAAOSw8C9Z42-U
Either cost me about 3-4 time more for shipping than the actual gasket. (I'm in Canada)

[Phil]

Here's an update.

1. OEM (or at least pretended to be. I don't know the seller) base gasket on its way.

2. I finally took the time to get to the base gasket.

3. I assumed you wouldn't believe me without a photo why such a recent engine rebuild (~200km according to PO) would leak that much:

PXL_20220819_160507583 by pwauthy

[Nessism]

I told you those green gaskets suck.

Sadly, there will be many more people buying them and suffering failures in the future.

[Phil]

I received the gasket...

The Ebay description mentionned
"Brand new genuine suzuki gasket...not a wing wang aftermarket gasket but the real deal so you can assure proper fit & quality sold as 4"

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/382977546037

Here is what I received:
1 OEM so old that it felt appart during shipping
3 Apparently non-OEM (not a SGP package)

I did ask for a total refund but it's another delay. I consider using one of these anyway. Should I install the black one or one of the blue ones?

PXL_20220827_190517490 by pwauthy