Leaking oil at head gasket

[dubwicht]

I am pretty sure that I need to replace the head gasket but want to confirm. Today it started leaking oil at this location. Hard to believe that a bike with only 18,000 km needs a new head gasket.

[Nessism]

Cleaning the engine, to remove all oil and grease, is the first step. Using auto parts store engine degreaser spray works well. Dry well using a leaf blower or similar. Then spray down the engine with foot powder spray, to coat the area of concern with white powder. Then start up the engine, while watching closely for the source of the leak. It might be the head gasket, or some other source of leak that's running down. Be sure to confirm the head gasket before tearing down the engine.

[dubwicht]

Thank you. I am pretty sure it is coming from here but will double check. It was previously leaking from the tachometer gasket but I fixed it.

[dubwicht]

Well, thank you for the recommending a thorough check - I determined the the oil is coming from an air passage above the head gasket but below the head cover gasket. I can't think of any seals or gaskets in this area. It is hard to see in there but I will try. I am wondering if there is a crack in the head. I will try looking with the borescope.

[rphillips]

Would be way more helpful if we knew what bike we were talking about... If it's a 16V GS750 or GS1100, their front inside head nuts have "O" rings on them., that can leak. Been there done that.

[dubwicht]

Sorry - 1979 GS1000L.

[dubwicht]

I see the o-rings on the outside around the oil passages on the cylinder head gasket. Are you talking about the cover gasket?

[rphillips]

No, not around any gasket nor oil passages, like said on the 16V engines, not the 8 valve like your 79 GS1000, the front 2 inside head nuts have "O" rings that fit in a slot on the bottom of the nut. Your 8 V eng, I'm reasonably sure don't have them... Kind of a different nut, just for info. sake may want to look up parts fische for a 1980 GS 750 and look at the diagram of the cyl. head, should be #'s 14 and 17 if your diagram is the same as mine

[dubwicht]

Just to confirm - there is an o-ring at this location? This seems to be where the oil is coming from. The Borescope didn't show much.

[dubwicht]

Well - the leak was coming from the head cover gasket. I traced the channel with a piece of wire and could see it from the top. There is a fold in the gasket. Poor install job. These H shaped gaskets are a pain in the butt to install. Live and learn.

[salty_monk]

Put spray adhesive on it & stick it to the valve cover. If you grease the other side you'll be able to re-use at your next valve check....

[dubwicht]

Great idea. I used grease for this one and it didn't work so well. I will be extremely careful this time.

[Big T]

I'm really old skool, so I use Gasgacinch to adhere the gasket to the cover, using the bolts to keep the holes in the correct location.

Gasgacinch is essentially a contact cement for mechanics.

Coat cover and gasket, allow to dry per instructions, put gasket in place, drop in bolts, leave it for a while to set up

Remove the bolts, grease the gasket and install. Remember to not over tighten the bolts.