left side oil leak??

[ahirsch]

Hi gang,

 

A leak has developed on the left side. It's not the sight glass, oil cooler line or valve cover gasket. It appears to be one mating surface closer to the crank than the valve gasket. Possibly between cylinder and cylinder head? Is this the cylinder head gasket?

The inside of fairing (removable black toe plate) has oil on it as does the area that the cylinder gaurd mounts to. The heaviest fresh oil is located at the point that middle cylinder gaurd attaches to Any ideas?

 

Thanks,

 

Andrew

[mneblett]

Is this the cylinder head gasket?

Bingo. Pretty simple to replace; take care to properly torque the cylinder nuts/studs to avoid pulling one out of the block.

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Andrew

 

Could be many things like your cyl head gasket, cyl base gasket, or rear cam sprocket plug, or something else.

 

Clean it up real good then try to identify EXACTLY where the oil is coming from. If you don't identify the EXACT area it is coming from you might do a lot of work for nothing & miss the real leakage point.

 

If you still can't find the leakage area try another cleanup then run it for a short time, then spray the area in question with foot spray or some other light powdery spray. (should show any moist areas)

 

If still unable to identify the leakage point stop by your local auto parts store & buy a bottle of oil leak finding dye. Then add the to the oil & run/ride it then look for the dye path with a black light.

 

Might just be a leaking cam plug on rear of cyl head or might take cyl head re-torque or even a new gasket, or maybe something easy like the oil filler cap or cap socket "O" ring.

 

Let us know exactly where the leak is & we can advise on best repair.

 

[philbytx]

Don't forget to include the spark plug hole "donut" in the item checklist.

[ahirsch]

Probing more... Just did a swipe with my finger at the head gasket location near the header and big quantities (three thimbles full) of oily gunk came out on my index finger. I suspect it has been leaking for a while and is now getting worse? The fresh oil can be seen down below where the 5mm allen bolts are located.

 

Is a retourque worth trying? Read mixed reviews after a search. If attempting looks like I would loosen and torque to 30nm and then go 180 degrees more?

[dirtrider]

Don't forget to include the spark plug hole "donut" in the item checklist.

 

Afternoon Phil

 

Very good point, I forgot that one. Common oil leakage spot.

 

[ahirsch]

any way to determie if donut hole is the culprit? Just pulled the plug wire and didn't see any oil on wire or plug. If I pull the plug would I be able to determine anything?

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Andrew

 

As a rule when they leak oil it is into the spark plug/wire area.

 

[Michaelr11]

Have you replaced the cam chain tensioner on the left side? Could be leaking from there and migrating down to where you are seeing it.

[Bob_Minor]

A '96 came with the original style head gaskets, which proved to be failure prone. If it is the head gasket, a retorque is unlikely to fix it (many have tried over the years). Replacement with the updated gasket is really the only option.

[flars]

Don't forget the oil pressure switch is on the left side, also.

[ahirsch]

Thanks everyone. I am pretty sure it's the head gasket. Seeing that I already have one head from a Honda on my bench currently, my plan is to finish one bike before starting another. A painting project at home, work load, life and family is slowing that project down too. Then there are the small adjustments repairs that are required on the other bikes... Do you ever feel a slave to the bikes? I do but wouldn't have it any other way.

[AndyS]

Thanks everyone. I am pretty sure it's the head gasket. .

Do you mean head gasket or Base gasket? from your initial description you implied it was nearer the base than the head?

Andy