Bought a GS1100E, Damn Oil Leak

[crag antler]

I had the same leak on my 83 1100E, with the faster black motor, and chased it all over the place. Mine was coming from the gasket on the cam chain tensioner.
I know it is all the way on the back of the engine but it traveled all the way to the front to drive me crazy until I found it.

 

[prpldude]

The more I see these GS1100E bikes the more I want one. Nice find.

 

[Guest]

I have actually had oil leaks from the three smaller bolts on the head. The two outer and the one in the center front. Use Permatex thread sealer and this will stop those leaks.

 

[cromwell1234]

cam chain tensioner

cam chain tensioner

I had the same leak on my 83 1100E, with the faster black motor, and chased it all over the place. Mine was coming from the gasket on the cam chain tensioner.
I know it is all the way on the back of the engine but it traveled all the way to the front to drive me crazy until I found it.

Hey craig Ill check that to (cam chain tensioner), by the way my bike was built in very late 1982 and I have your motor, and a few goodies lined up to blow your doors off--haha--thanks brother

 

[Eddie]

Mine too

Mine too

Hey,

Mine had oil there too, it was coming from a leaking valve cover gasket.

Eddie

 

[mushman]

Joe's right about this one (and many others). Those o-rings tend to cook and get rock hard and brittle over time. My leak drove me nuts and after trying almost every other option, replacing those o-rings did the trick.
Good luck!

 

[jwhelan65]

I have the same residue in that same spot, it dosn't appear to be leaking to the extent that it drips but road grit had built up there.

 

[rphillips]

If I see the diagram right that "O" ring is on only one of the head nuts. Do all the head nuts have an "O" ring, or is that the only one that has one? Thanks

 

[Guest]

There are two. Front two center.

 

[cromwell1234]

Hate to revisit this thread, but the GF is gone and I'm spending some time on the bike, before I pull the valve cover does anyone know if I have to remove the cam chain and sprocket to get to the #14, #17 seal nut, like the diagram shows above on page 1.

 

[Guest]

No you don't. I do stuff a rag into the cam chain tunnel to prevent them or a socket from dropping in.

 

[cromwell1234]

thanks on the rag tip I will give it a shot, man it does look tight between the sprocket and #14 seal/bolt---Ill take your word for it!

 

[maro]

thought I'd chime in say I have that leak as well on my EZ. word.

 

[cromwell1234]

hey maro/"jeff", if your doing the valve adjustment over the winter you might as well replace the 2.00 dollar seal and stop the oil leak, it starts as a couple of drops and ends up to be 1/3 quart every month, not to mention the crap gets all over the garage--and ****es the wife off-ah maybe i should leave it alone after all!

 

[maro]

hey maro/"jeff"

It's Josh.......

lol

, if your doing the valve adjustment over the winter you might as well replace the 2.00 dollar seal and stop the oil leak, it starts as a couple of drops and ends up to be 1/3 quart every month, not to mention the crap gets all over the garage--and ****es the wife off-ah maybe i should leave it alone after all!

good call on this. I will be doing the valves this winter. I'm glad this post came up. thanks

 

[cromwell1234]

Sorry Josh, my brother is Jeff and my good buddy is Marco and i went to a public school in the city --what else can i say!

 

[bonanzadave]

Guys,

Take some pictures.....I want to do it too. Any one gonna re torque the head bolts while there in there ? Think it would stop some minor seepage ?

 

[cromwell1234]

B-Dave, I'm sure you know this is the most common oil leak that is usually fixed with the seal nut, as far as the re-torque , Just unscrew them at least 3/4 of a turn before you re-torque(if you didn't already know that of course) anyway i have slowed leaks down in the past with the re-torque but once the oil finds a passage its tough to stop----some good pics under valve adjustment at this site; the Bike Cliff's Website under 16v adjustment--real good info/the best Ive seen---

 

[jwhelan65]

same thing

same thing

I'll join the club, I have the same pesty leak...very minor though.

 

[Guest]

The three small bolts that are located at the ends of both sides of the head and the center front tend to leak oil through the threads. Buy some Permatex thread sealer and seal these. I chased my tail for awhile looking for these leaks.