Base Gasket Leak

[raerickson]

I have a pretty bad oil leak from the lower part of my motor (450) and as far as I know its being caused by a faulty gasket. Do I need to buy a factory gasket? Or can I make one with cork material / rtv? If I can make one, what is the best way to go as far as gasket making materials?

Also is this an easy fix? The engine is already out of the frame.

[hikermikem]

Best to use OEM gaskets IMHO. The base one is cheap, the head gasket is more expensive - you'll need that one too because you have to remove the head to get at the base.

Of course that now opens a larger can-o-worms once you've removed the head & jugs:

- might as well hone the clyinders & install new rings
- new valve stem oil seals
- rebuild the cam chain temsioner

I've just finished all that on my "81 GS1100E.

Good luck & welcome to the forum...

[raerickson]

Wow, that sounds like way more work than I was originally intending...

This whole build of mine is going to be on the cheap so maybe I can just get used to having a bit of a leak and park over some cardboard

[gs road racer]

Rae I'm with Hiker on this one can't make a head gasket so might as well get a kit from the dealer. If you ever do have to make one there's something on basscliff's site I think? Just make sure you're buying similar gasket material thickness.....yup good time to check it all while you're in there. Do a compression check before taking it apart. If it's up to snuff I might just change gaskets and valve seals.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Where is it leaking? Head gasket? Base gasket? Oil pan gasket? Stator cover gasket? Clutch cover gasket? For the first two I would definitely use OEM. For the rest you can probably get away with making your own. There are instructions on my website.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[raerickson]

I'll check after work today and try to figure out exactly where the leak is and maybe post a pic.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If it runs good and compression is good their is no reason why you can't reuse the rings, just make sure they aren't carboned up. Even taking them off Carefully to clean..