dpep
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This is an oldie but a goodie that deserves a repeat from time to time when it just saved a lot of time and/or money.
On my run to Miss Fabs ride my GK started leaking oil from somewhere in the middle under the carbuerators. It looked to me like it was the gasket for the cam chain adjuster. The adjuster and the area below it were covered with oil. Better than a base or head gasket for sure but still a pain in the ass. Have to pull the carbs at least; better check to see if it is time for new rubber on the intakes while I am at it.
I was getting ready to hit Bike Bandit to order the gasket when I thought I might as well do the old athelete's foot spray check. I try to keep a can around. I always get them cheap at dollar stores.
I cleaned the area best I could, waited for it to dry and then sprayed the area well; the spray puts down a thin white coat. I then fired up the bike and let it run for a while. I checked the back of the engine and there was no new oil staining the white coat on the cam chain adjuster. There was however a brown ring appearing around the screw cover on the oil pressure lid. A quarter turn with a 19mm open end and my problem was solved. I came very close to spending money and doing work for no reason. It is the best way I have found by far to track down an oil leak.
I did not take a picture at the time I saw the leak. But this is what the area looked like after I did the tightening. Notice there are no brown stains around the cam cover gasket.
On my run to Miss Fabs ride my GK started leaking oil from somewhere in the middle under the carbuerators. It looked to me like it was the gasket for the cam chain adjuster. The adjuster and the area below it were covered with oil. Better than a base or head gasket for sure but still a pain in the ass. Have to pull the carbs at least; better check to see if it is time for new rubber on the intakes while I am at it.
I was getting ready to hit Bike Bandit to order the gasket when I thought I might as well do the old athelete's foot spray check. I try to keep a can around. I always get them cheap at dollar stores.
I cleaned the area best I could, waited for it to dry and then sprayed the area well; the spray puts down a thin white coat. I then fired up the bike and let it run for a while. I checked the back of the engine and there was no new oil staining the white coat on the cam chain adjuster. There was however a brown ring appearing around the screw cover on the oil pressure lid. A quarter turn with a 19mm open end and my problem was solved. I came very close to spending money and doing work for no reason. It is the best way I have found by far to track down an oil leak.
I did not take a picture at the time I saw the leak. But this is what the area looked like after I did the tightening. Notice there are no brown stains around the cam cover gasket.
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