GS1000SZ 16V Valve Adjust

**Billy Ricks** · 03-13-2009, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by pontiacstogo

Heyup.

Next task - valve adjustment. I've done bucket and shim adjustments before so I'm hoping the adjustment will be a somewhat simpler task. I'm going to place an order with BikeBandit tonight for the things I'll need to complete the job. My experience is mostly with DOHC Hondas and on those things you not only need the valve cover gasket, but also the seals under the bolt heads to guarantee a leak free valve cover. On the GS is there anything else I should be ordering?

So far I'm thinking valve cover gasket and adjustment tool and maybe head bolt o-rings. I have a leak at the front of the engine where the small bolt is. I read on here that oil can run forward from other leaks and show up there. Is it worth replacing the o-rings under the front head bolts while I'm in there?

Any other thoughts/advice/cautionary tales or gotcha's that I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance

.

Sounds like you've got everything pretty much covered. Threaded adjusters are easy to do. It's recommended you use two feelers for adjusting. One under each adjuster on the rocker to get more precise readings.

**BassCliff** · 03-13-2009, 04:04 PM

Hi Mr. pontiacstogo,

I'll offer this:

Valve Adjustment for 16 Valve Motors
(by Mr. basic)

You can buy the special tools necessary, or you can fabricate them like Mr. basic does in his guide.

If you've got oil leaking out around a valve cover bolt, sometimes using white thread sealer will work (NOT thread locker).

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

**pontiacstogo** · 03-13-2009, 04:14 PM

Thanks for the link - already had a good read through that.

I pulled the cover, and I think I know why I've got oil leaks everywhere....

Whoever did this needs a good swift kick in the ass

.

**Billy Ricks** · 03-13-2009, 04:26 PM

That picture is a good example of why RTV has to be used very carefully. Chunks of that can easily clog oil passages.

**Guest** · 03-13-2009, 04:48 PM

You're lucky you still have an engine. I'd pull the pan and clean the pickup screen.

**2BRacing** · 03-13-2009, 04:51 PM

[quote=pontiacstogo;972148]Heyup.

I have a leak at the front of the engine where the small bolt is. I read on here that oil can run forward from other leaks and show up there. Is it worth replacing the o-rings under the front head bolts while I'm in there?

The poor sealing job done by the red RTV on the cover is probably the real culprit here. The 0-rings you refer to are actually lower down at the head gasket surface, and not under the head bolts.

At least the RTV will come off easily! I have just spent about 10 hours over 2 Saturdays cleaning off hardened, "petrified" gasket from valve cover and head surface, due to maybe silliest thing I have done - using gasket sealer on both sides of valve cover gasket when I re-used it after previous valve adjustment!

**BassCliff** · 03-13-2009, 05:02 PM

Hi Mr. 2BRacing,

If you're talking about a valve cover gasket for your 850, I highly recommend a Real Gasket reusable silicone gasket. Put it on dry. Use it till it wears out. Mine has gone through 3 valve checks so far.

For GS bikes with the tach gear in the valve cover, they can be a little tricky. You have to get everything lined up just right or you'll strip your tach gear. But for bikes with the tach gear in the head, it's a piece of cake.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

**bwringer** · 03-13-2009, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by pontiacstogo

Whoever did this needs a good swift kick in the ass

.

Yes. Yes, they do. That's a crime against a defenseless GS.

**2BRacing** · 03-14-2009, 05:05 AM

Originally posted by BassCliff

Hi Mr. 2BRacing,

If you're talking about a valve cover gasket for your 850, I highly recommend a Real Gasket reusable silicone gasket. Put it on dry. Use it till it wears out. Mine has gone through 3 valve checks so far.

For GS bikes with the tach gear in the valve cover, they can be a little tricky. You have to get everything lined up just right or you'll strip your tach gear. But for bikes with the take gear in the head, it's a piece of cake.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Hi Mr BassCliff

Thanks, that Real Gasket (silicone) seems to be a very good idea. I'm just worried that shipping to South Africa may result in some damage to the parcel, as it is quite a large flat area. The OEM valve cover gasket costs here the equivalent of US$45. I have just bought a substitute from the dealer for equivalent of US$6, but it sticks out about 2 to 3 mm all around the outside, so does not look very neat. Have yet to see how well it seals! No gasket sealer at all this time around! Breather cover OEM gasket equivalent of US$7 here, have installed that (also without any sealer). Have just finished washing all traces of previous oil leak (from valve cover bolt threads just above number 3 intake, next to chain) from engine, and will go for good run tomorrow to see results.

**pontiacstogo** · 03-14-2009, 12:32 PM

Took me a good chunk of last evening to clean up all the crap off the valve cover and head surfaces.

I've checked #1 and #3 and they are all tight 003's so they're going to need adjusting. I'm off to Lowes for some dowel to see if I can make some of those handy-dandy adjuster thingies

.

**Can_O_Tuna** · 03-14-2009, 03:18 PM

Years ago a Suzuki mechanic told me to use a punch and make 4 light marks on both the cover and the motor (in a staggered pattern) at the points I marked on your pic. It provides some teeth to grip the gasket at spots where these motors usually start leaking first (at least mine did twice before I did this). I am going to have to get into my motor this year and your questions are giving a great tutorial for me to get back into it

good luck !

**BassCliff** · 03-14-2009, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by 2BRacing

Hi Mr BassCliff

Thanks, that Real Gasket (silicone) seems to be a very good idea. I'm just worried that shipping to South Africa may result in some damage to the parcel, as it is quite a large flat area.

Hi Mr. 2BRacing,

The Real Gasket comes shipped in a protective envelope. It's actually rolled up in the package, since it's so flexible. Just lay it flat for a while to let it settle before installing.

Hi Mr. Pointiacstogo,

For your GS1000S, you'll have to do a little research to see if you need the RG-GS1000, RG-GS2000, or RG-GS3000 gasket. Here's the link if you care to have a look: http://www.realgaskets.com/files/motorcycle.htm#suzuki

For $25 (list) it's hard to beat it. Hopefully it can be shipped to you if you want one. I understand the owner is a nice enough fellow.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

**Roger P.** · 03-14-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally posted by pontiacstogo

Thanks for the link - already had a good read through that.

I pulled the cover, and I think I know why I've got oil leaks everywhere....

Whoever did this needs a good swift kick in the ass

.

Although I can understand why he did it. Has to be the worst thing I've ever tried to keep oil tight on any bike I've owned.

**pontiacstogo** · 03-14-2009, 04:27 PM

The dowel and screw tool took 5 minutes to make and was very handy. Only ended up having to make 6 adjustments (too tight) and none of them had any alarming lack of clearance. Cleaned the cover up too;

Now I just have to wait for the gasket to arrive to see if my leaks have been fixed.

GS1000SZ 16V Valve Adjust

GS1000SZ 16V Valve Adjust

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