Oil leak

[glib]

If oil is leaking from the front of the valve cover gasket, is there enough pressure in there to shoot a mist of oil on to the back of the front fender? 1983 GS1100E

[tkent02]

Shouldn't be any pressure in there at all, but hot oil will fly everywhere. I got some on my front fender today.

[glib]

Shouldn't be any pressure in there at all, but hot oil will fly everywhere. I got some on my front fender today.

Got a closer look today. It's the head gasket leaking right in front of the timing chain.

[JTGS850GL]

Are you sure it's not the tach drive? They're notorious for leaking and the oil will migrate down.

[glib]

Are you sure it's not the tach drive? They're notorious for leaking and the oil will migrate down.

I cleaned it up and started it and I could see bubbles coming through the gasket. It also makes sense because the pressure was pushing oil out of the case gasket near the right side. I'm hoping that with a good head gasket, the rest of the motor will stay dry and clean.

[glib]

Partzilla has the Suzuki OEM head gasket for $75 and the valve cover gasket for $24. Is that the best choice?

[tkent02]

If you're blowing gaskets, you blowby isn't getting vented out, that is not oil pressure in those places. Clutch cover has no oil pressure in it, and neither does the head gasket in that place by the cam chain. Should be vented to atmosphere, so no pressure at all there.
.

[JTGS850GL]

Add to your list of things to buy a new OEM base gasket. Removing the head almost certainly unseats the base gasket and that will be the place of your next leak.

Agreed with tkent02 that you need to verify that your valve cover vent is open and clear. Improper venting can cause numerous leaks.

[glib]

If you're blowing gaskets, you blowby isn't getting vented out, that is not oil pressure in those places. Clutch cover has no oil pressure in it, and neither does the head gasket in that place by the cam chain. Should be vented to atmosphere, so no pressure at all there.
.

If the head gasket is bad, couldn't the pressure from the cylinder be pushing into the crankcase creating the pressure that is making the oil spray on to the back of the fender? But yes I do see your point and will look for that now.

Add to your list of things to buy a new OEM base gasket. Removing the head almost certainly unseats the base gasket and that will be the place of your next leak.

Great (sarcasm). How much more work to do the case gasket. It is leaking and I might as well do it too.

[tkent02]

No sarcasm, he's trying to help you. And no, if the crankcase is ventilated properly there won't be any pressure to build up. Did you buy an aftermarket gasket for the breather cover?

[glib]

No sarcasm, he's trying to help you. And no, if the crankcase is ventilated properly there won't be any pressure to build up. Did you buy an aftermarket gasket for the breather cover?

No, I meant my sarcasm. I know he was trying help. You know how you say "great" with a big sigh and don't really mean great, you mean "crap this just keeps getting deeper." That's why I put (sarcasm) so it would be clear that I understood that what he was saying, while helpful, was not actually going to feel great in either time or money.

And thank you for your help. (Genuinely)

[bonanzadave]

Dont be fooled by the two head nuts (under the valve cover) that have orings on them. This notoriously resembles head gasket leaks.

[glib]

Dont be fooled by the two head bolts (under the valve cover) that have orings on them. This notoriously resembles head gasket leaks.

I've seen those Dave but I'm not sure what you mean. (Edit: Oh, I see. If the seals are leaking the oil will come out the front exactly where my problem is!)

...if the crankcase is ventilated properly there won't be any pressure to build up. Did you buy an aftermarket gasket for the breather cover?

Breather cover was in place when I got it--and, oddly, the vent is not only not blocked but I had forgotten to check it and it was open--no airbox and no alternate plan for lack of tube to airbox. So now I really have no idea were the pressure is coming from to push the oil out.

[glib]

Bonanzadave, that suggestion prompted me to go ahead and do a compression check which I should have thought of before and my pressures are all pushing 180. So I think you are most likely correct with those O-rings. Do they have to be a specific material? And can I replace them and re-torque just those bolts or do I have to re-torque the entire head?

[bwringer]

Order the OEM o-rings -- don't install o-rings from the hardware store.