Help a newbie - GS550T oil leak

[Anonymous]

Have a 1981 GS550T with 16,000 miles. Recently started to notice a small (silver dollar size) oil spot under bike when left sitting overnight. Cannot find the soruce of the oil leak, but have noticed some white smoke on starting that disappears soon after. Bike starts rough, but when warm runs fine. Plenty of power. Choke needs to be pulled all out to start, but then I drop it to 2, 000rpms within a minute or so, let it warm up for 4-5 minutes, and no problems. Any ideas? Gaskets? I am debating wether to attempt to locate and fix myself, or put in shop (Scared of getting shafted.. ). Any body in CT/MA/RI area know of a reputable shop? I do not want to ride until I get to the bottom of this as I am afraid of seizing the engine. Am planning on changing oil/filter (maybe a leajk from there?)

Thanks for helping out a newbie to the GS bike world.

[argonsagas]

Check your oil level. If it's not down, or only down a little bit, then you don't have a serious leak, and a shortage of oil would not have caused any damage.

Your first leak check should be the drain plug. Since it leaked overnight, and you cannot find anything anywhere else, a drain plug that is loose or improperly seated is a good possibility.

Other than that, a minor leak could be from anywhere, but to find its source, wash the engine and transmission thoroughly, (use a dish detergent) then take it for a drive. Several miles at least, to let it get hot.

Examine it carefully for leaks at your convenience along the way and again at home.

If, after finding the source, you are still concerned, ask another question in this forum, or just update this post.

Minor leaks are quite common, and usually can be easily repaired, but if everyone who had a minor leak stopped driving, the roads would be largely empty.


The white "smoke" that disappears right after start-up is nothing to worry about. All engines do that.

Too much gas gives a black smoke, oil gives blue/white, antifreeze gives really thick, white and I gave at the office.

Enjoy your day.

[earlfor]

In addition to Ron's suggestions, it could be nothing more than excess chain lube being thrown off at the countershaft sprocket and then draining down and out the bottom. I usually have an oil drip in this spot and that is all it is.

Earl

[chuckycheese]

find out where

It's really important to isolate the spot it's coming from; otherwise, you may "fix" something that didn't need fixing. (I hate to say it but I've done it at least twice!). Most leaks are frustrating but easy to resolve. :?

[Anonymous]

Thanks all - I power washed the engine, changed filter and oil, rebolted the thing back together, took it for a spin, and parked it on the center stand with a piece of cardboard underneath, overnight - guess what? no oil leak that I could see, not a spot on the cardboard! !

[Anonymous]

Excellent, now come over and fix mine!

[Anonymous]

Mine was leaking at one time......It turned out to be where the speedometer screws into the engine.....Rerouted the line and that fixed it

[mcycle-nut]

Mine was leaking at one time......It turned out to be where the speedometer screws into the engine.....Rerouted the line and that fixed it

That's odd, my speedometer screws into a cable which screws into a drive on the left side of the front wheel... 8)