Oil Leak - Strange location

[williamcryan]

82 Suzuki GS1100G, run's strong. I have a small oil leak seems to be coming from around the valve cover gasket or the breather cover at the top of the valve cover. I get some oil blowing onto the side airbox covers and some drip and a my boot shows a little oil.

I did a recheck of valve clearances six months ago and replaced valve cover gasket and breather cover gasket. Oil leak is still small and annoying but I can live with it and prefer not to replace cylinder and head gasket.

Yesterday, before a 200 mile round trip ride, I checked oil level while I was parked with center stand up and in a pretty level spot. Oil showed just above low mark. I added almost a 1/2 qt of oil to bring it up, just below the high level mark.

About 30 miles into my ride, I stopped to top up fuel and, again at a level spot, put bike back up on center stand. Oil level filled the glass window. Looked like I overfilled. It's happened several times before, when it seemed to need oil and then looked like overfill later on.

When I got home after about a 100 mile ride, speeds up to 65 for extended periods and slower at other periods, I got off bike, put the side stand down and oil began flowing out of the breather hose. About a six inch puddle. I've had some oil drips from the hose before, but they were just a few drips, not a small gusher.

I'm thinking it's from the oil overflow and not enough oil draining out of the valve and cam area back into the engine and the solution is be extra careful in topping up oil. I don't think it's an oil pump issue, the bike runs strong and fast.

Feedback welcome. Bill

[Nessism]

The oil level needs to be checked per the service manual procedure: with a cold engine and while the bike is level and on the center stand. Oil expands when hot so you must not check with a hot engine.

[hampshirehog]

Hello Bill - Ed's probably nailed it but also does the oil smell of petrol at all?

Welcome to the GSR by the way.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. williamcryan,

Yes, I've had the oil level look full one time and then over-full the next time. As long as the level is close and you change the oil every 2000 miles it will be OK. As Ed mentioned, different variables can affect the level you see in the sight glass. Sometimes more oil gets trapped up in the top of the motor. So after topping it off, the oil drains down, and it's over-full.

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Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

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BassCliff

[tom203]

Hello Bill - Ed's probably nailed it but also does the oil smell of petrol at all?

Welcome to the GSR by the way.

Yes, time to check for correct petcock operation.

[williamcryan]

Thanks guys for the feedback and good diagnosis. I was off the site for a while and re-registered. One of the problems back then was # 1 & 2 plugs fuel fowling. Went thru quite a bit of work. Pulled carbs, rebuilt them put them back on and still same problem. It was probably Basscliff or Nessism that said check the petcock. Would have saved me a lot of time and effort, but it was good learning. That was about three years ago and I went thru a lot of plugs. Fortunately, my buddy had a sand blaster at his work and cleaned them up for reuse. The diagraphm on the petcock was ruptured and fuel was flowing full barrell into my carbs. I got about 7 mpg and someone behind me said I they spotted flames from my 4 into 1 exhaust.
I replaced the petcock. .
Even though the bike is running strong now, I'm now having fuel fowling on #'s 1 and 2 again and have to change a plug or two perodically.
So, as I understand, I'm getting overloaded with fuel that is seaping thru my cylinders into the crankcase causing my plugs to fowl and mixing with my oil causing the oil level to rise. Sometimes the obvious is the most frequently overlooked.
I'll order a new petcock and post results.
Thanks again. Bill