• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

79 GS850 Oil Leaks

  • Thread starter Thread starter dcollins
  • Start date Start date
D

dcollins

Guest
Been a while since I posted anything. Need some advice on fixing an oil leak. Seems that I've got a leak coming from between cyls 3 & 4 from the head gasket as well as oil dripping off the bolt between cyls 2 & 3. Of course it drips right down on the pipes and the smoke just rolls off them, a drip every couple seconds.

Not wanting to look like Nicolas Cage in Ghost Rider, I've parked the bike till I can get it resolved. (which is unfortunate since I just overhauled my carbs, got a tune up and it's running better than ever)

I've been searching the forums for info on replacing head gaskets and it seems the popular opinion is that I should replace the base gasket at the same time I replace the head gasket since I'll likely disturb it getting the head off.

Question: Do I have to pull the engine to get the head off? cyls off? I'd rather not if I don't have to. Obviously it would be easier to work on, but a pain to get it out and back in. What other gaskets should I replace while I'm in there?

Any other options so I can get through the summer without having to replace gaskets?
 
I had the same problem. Tap out the threads for the 6mm bolt between cyl's 2 & 3 (it's a tight fit but use a small adjustable) Then replace the 6mm bolt with a longer one so that a 6mm nut can screwed onto it. Tighten the 6mm bolt first, then the nut. Ted
 
Leak

Leak

I would clean up the engine as best I could and make certain the leak is coming from where you think it is. Oil leaks are really, really tricky. Is there any oil above the suspected area? There's always such a good chance that it's coming from the valve cover gasket. That's a likely suspect...and an easy fix!! Let us know!:)
 
I blasted the engine off pretty good at the carwash and rode it to pinpoint where the leak was coming from. I know I've got a small leak on the left side of the valve cover gasket and had planned on replacing it with a rubber gasket from realgasket when I put it back together. I put a new valve cover gasket on it a couple years ago, but it was a fiber type.

There's not a lot of oil above what seems to be the head gasket leaks, but there's a chance that the ride back from the carwash blew it around. Maybe I'll clean it off in the driveway and try the talcum powder trick I read about.

If it is the head gasket, do I have to pull the motor, or is there enough room below the backbone to get it apart?
 
dcollins said:
I blasted the engine off pretty good at the carwash and rode it to pinpoint where the leak was coming from. I know I've got a small leak on the left side of the valve cover gasket and had planned on replacing it with a rubber gasket from realgasket when I put it back together. I put a new valve cover gasket on it a couple years ago, but it was a fiber type.

There's not a lot of oil above what seems to be the head gasket leaks, but there's a chance that the ride back from the carwash blew it around. Maybe I'll clean it off in the driveway and try the talcum powder trick I read about.

If it is the head gasket, do I have to pull the motor, or is there enough room below the backbone to get it apart?
Click to expand...

Don't have to pull the motor at all. Easily done on the bike. IF you need to.
 
Thanks for the feedback everybody. I'll confirm where my leak is and hopefully not have to tear it down that far.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top