GS550 '78 engine leak

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  • christianf
    • Feb 2026
    #1

    GS550 '78 engine leak

    Hi,

    I'm completely new on this forum so please be good to me :-) I've tried to search for a similar problem but haven't found one so here goes:

    Recently bought a nice and old GS550 from 1978. The bike runs well but I'm now taking it apart in order to restore it. However, before stripping down the bike I noticed pure gaskets and small oil leaks from the engine. I'm of course going to replace the gaskets, but what worries me is a leak from underneath cylinder two (please see attached pictures). In my opinion it shouldn't even be able to leak from here?

    2018-01-30 21.15.24.jpg
    I'm worried about whether the state of the engine is worth fixing with new gaskets and all or if this leak is telling me to look for another engine? Any help is much appreciated!

    Cheers,

    Chris
    Tags: 550, engine, leak
    • christianf
      #2
      And just a closer picture of the engine/the poor gaskets
      2018-01-30 21.15.43.jpg

        Comment

        • Redman
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • Mar 2004
          • 13723
          • Michigan, west Michigan
          #3
          Welcome to GSR.

          I am not seeing the oil leak in first picture.
          http://webpages.charter.net/ddvrnr/GS850_1100_Emblems.jpg
          Had 850G for 14 years. Now have GK since 2005.
          GK at IndyMotoGP Suzuki Display... ... GK on GSResources Page ... ... Euro Trash Ego Machine .. ..3 mo'cykls.... update 2 mocykl


          https://imgur.com/YTMtgq4

            Comment

            • Guest
              #4
              Oil leaks travel to strange places. The traditional way of tracking down a leak is clean up the engine and then spray the engine with spray powder (athletes foot powder) to find the leak while it runs. If you are planning to rebuild the engine for the restoration, that should take care of any leaks though. Did you measure compression before taking out the engine?

                Comment

                • Nessism
                  Forum LongTimer
                  GSResource Superstar
                  Past Site Supporter
                  Super Site Supporter
                  • Mar 2006
                  • 35790
                  • Torrance, CA
                  #5
                  If you have the skill taking apart the engine to check all the internal parts and replacing the gaskets and seals is a great way to assure the engine will last a long time into the future.
                  Ed

                  To measure is to know.

                  Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                  Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                  Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                  KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                    Comment

                    • Big T
                      Forum LongTimer
                      Past Site Supporter
                      Super Site Supporter
                      • Mar 2005
                      • 12392
                      • West Slope, OR
                      #6
                      Judging by the amount of gasket sealer on the outside of that motor, I'd guess that there's other things done to it by the previous owner that are questionable

                      That is an unusual place for an oil leak. you are correct, it shouldn't be able to leak from there

                      The usual suspects for oil leaks are valve cover gaskets, half moon seals, tach seals and cam chain tensioner seals
                      Last edited by Big T; 02-04-2018, 03:27 AM.
                      1978 GS 1000 (since new)
                      1979 GS 1000 (The Fridge, superbike replica project)
                      1978 GS 1000 (parts)
                      1981 GS 850 (anyone want a project?)
                      1981 GPZ 550 (backroad screamer)
                      1970 450 Mk IIID (THUMP!)
                      2007 DRz 400S
                      1999 ATK 490ES
                      1994 DR 350SES

                        Comment

                        • christianf
                          #7
                          Thanks for all the fast answers. I'm planning on taking the engine apart and add new gaskets all over - but of course this would be a waste of time AND money if the engine is "dead" already. I didn't get to measure compression before taking out the engine, unfortunately. But it ran fine though.

                          Any thoughts on the state of the engine/rebuilding it vs. looking for a "new" one?

                          Cheers

                          PS. Just a close picture of the suspicious leak.

                          2018-01-30 21.15.36.jpg

                            Comment

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