Should I rebuild my engine, any advice?

[Guest]

I've invested a lot of time (and money) rebuilding my 83 gs1100gk but I haven't done anything to the motor. Mostly because I'm scared of screwing something up but also because I'm not sure where to start.

The reason I want to do this is cause my block seal is leaking a bit of oil and I was thinking that this could be my winter project. I know I'm getting ahead of myself and I'll deal with the small leak for this season but am I opening a can of worms/money pit? I figure once I start taking the engine apart, knowing me I'll want to clean and replace parts. Should I commit to this and or will this make a difference ?

Thanks.

[tom203]

The cylinder base gasket is leaking? If so, where is it most obvious?
How many miles on this critter?

[Dre]

The cylinder base gasket is leaking? If so, where is it most obvious?
How many miles on this critter?

34543.9. Yeah just in the front in that peak between exhausts 2 and 3.

Bought it front the original owner and I don't think he's ever done any engine work to her.

[azr]

how many KMs have you put on the bike since getting it back up and running? sometimes you luck out and things seal up again, sometimes.

[hillsy]

Are you sure it's not the cam chain tensioner that is leaking and the oil is running down the front? They are notorious for leaking and it's an easy fix.

What oil are you running? Fully synthetic can sometimes find leaks where normal oil doesn't.

[Big T]

Hillsy -I think you mean the tach drive? The tensioner is on the back of the motor.

Before you start tearing into the motor, you should locate the source of the leak. Valve cover gasket and tach drive are the most common oil leak sources, and both are easy fixes

[hillsy]

Sorry - I thought he meant at the bottom of the cylinder block.

Yeah - anything up top where you are saying is external gaskets (cam cover, tach drive, etc).

[londonboards]

Start with a top end and jugs tear down. It's not that difficult.

See my GS1100G blog in my sig.

Yes it will cost you gaskets and time and if you start to get adventurous and take the engine out, it will cost you quite a bit more in seals and potentially tools that you haven't got.

Don't be afraid. We've all been there.

[Dre]

how many KMs have you put on the bike since getting it back up and running? sometimes you luck out and things seal up again, sometimes.

Not much. Maybe 20kms.

[Dre]

Are you sure it's not the cam chain tensioner that is leaking and the oil is running down the front? They are notorious for leaking and it's an easy fix.

What oil are you running? Fully synthetic can sometimes find leaks where normal oil doesn't.

Just plain ole Castro 10x30

[Dre]

Hillsy -I think you mean the tach drive? The tensioner is on the back of the motor.

Before you start tearing into the motor, you should locate the source of the leak. Valve cover gasket and tach drive are the most common oil leak sources, and both are easy fixes

Where the tach connects it can leak oil? That might be my issue.

[tom203]

Just plain ole Castro 10x30

Hopefully you ain't using an auto oil... Try changing to a 10-40 or 15-40 oil designed for air cooled bikes. As was mentioned, run it a bit to see if the leak seals itself.

[Dre]

Hopefully you ain't using an auto oil... Try changing to a 10-40 or 15-40 oil designed for air cooled bikes. As was mentioned, run it a bit to see if the leak seals itself.

No no its motorcycle oil. Ok thanks.

[Dre]

Hillsy -I think you mean the tach drive? The tensioner is on the back of the motor.

Before you start tearing into the motor, you should locate the source of the leak. Valve cover gasket and tach drive are the most common oil leak sources, and both are easy fixes

Does the tach drive have a seal or external gasket. Let me check the parts schematics.

[Burque73]

The tach drive sleeve has an O-ring on the outside and a seal inside that contacts the drive gear. It also can wear a groove in the drive gear. All are cheap to replace. BWringer has a great write up on the job.

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/tachcableseals.html

My cam cover was leaking and showing up down below, looking more like a head or base gasket leak. Around $50 for cam cover gasket and rubber end plugs and no wafting aroma of hot burning oil!