Engine oil leak

[650Skull]

Edited post......to explain the model and re-post full size pic

Bought this bike, ...82 GS650Ez .........and it has an oil leak in the front between the headers. Would a head re-torque work?

 

[Brendan W]

Find the source first. Clean off all the oil and wait.
Checking the torque won't do any harm but it's unlikely to be the fix.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

After you clean and dry everything, spray all gasket cracks from the breather tube to the base gasket with powdered foot spray. Start the bike and watch. Don’t ignore the cam chain tensioner gasket, and tachometer drive input oring where it enters the head (or valve cover, depending on model).

 

[bwringer]

Yeah, oil from the back can and does creep forward. Clean it up, powder it up, and see whatchya got.


The tach cable fitting and the cam chain tensioner are common sources for leaks and you'll need to deal with them sooner or later.

Instructions for fixing these (bear in mind that things are a little different on your bike vs. the GS850 in the photos):
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/tachcableseals.html
https://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

 

[Nessism]

A head retorque is part of regular maintenance per the Suzuki factory service manual so it should be done regardless. Realize that you need to loosen the nuts enough to crack them loose before reversing direction and tightening them to spec using a torque wrench. It's good practice to do this with every valve adjustment.

Like mentioned by the others, clean the engine well and let it dry, then spray foot powder spray on all the gasket seams. Auto parts store engine degreasers and a stiff brush work well to remove the grime, and a leaf blower works well to dry the engine after cleaning.

 

[tom203]

Be suspicious of camshaft cover gasket....in that area, later model 650?s (like yours) had extra cover bolt there at cam tunnel. Failure to tighten cover bolts properly could result in leak.

 

[650Skull]

I'm in a bit of a strange situation, just to explain myself and as to why there may not be a conclusion to my questions for some time. When i have solved the problem i will always post the solution

I live in Aus but the bike is in New Zealand at my sons house. I had intended to get over there and use the bike while in the country, but Covid-19 has put that on hold.


Thanks for the replies,

@bwringer great links.......i can tell you the taco drive seals and the Sleeve are the same going off Partzilla part no's. The seals and sleeve were used up till 2002 so the parts may be able to be sourced locally
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/suzuki/motorcycle/1982/gs650e/cylinder-head-cover-e-no-106933

Cam chain tension-er is different. 3 scew mount on the 850 and 2 screw mount on the 650Ez. Some parts are the same, and used up till 2000. again may be able to get locally in NZ

My son, (Kane), has already suspected the taco drive as he said it was loose.

Will do the clean up and oil trace first to work out where it comes from..........

Thanks, all and will update as things progress..........me on here.......get answers........send to NZ.........wait for the work to b done...(i like this idea),........info sent to Aus.........back on here........

 

[Steve]

It would also be nice to know exactly what bike is being discussed. By the picture, it appears to be a 4-cylinder Suzuki, 1982 or newer. Yeah, your signature mentions an '82 650, but there are also other bikes, and this just might also be an unmentioned project that just rolled in, and is not worthy of mention in your signature.

Beyond that, all the others have already given you all the good tips on how to find and fix the problem. :encouragement:

.

 

[650Skull]

It would also be nice to know exactly what bike is being discussed. By the picture, it appears to be a 4-cylinder Suzuki, 1982 or newer. Yeah, your signature mentions an '82 650, but there are also other bikes, and this just might also be an unmentioned project that just rolled in, and is not worthy of mention in your signature.

Beyond that, all the others have already given you all the good tips on how to find and fix the problem. :encouragement:

.

edited first post for explanation and re-post pic


Yes an 82 GS650Ez as i my signature, it's the only Suzuki i have got, and have ever had actually.....Sorry, should have made myself clear in the first post.

Some of the bikes in my signature, some would say, aren't worthy of a mention........except me

Yes, good solutions. Thanks.