Stoked on my a new GS850L! (and a fat headache)

[BeanTown]

I compulsively bought (the only way to get a deal in my mind) a 1982 GS850L last night for 800 bucks. The guy selling it got it to fire right up (sounded pretty good actually), for a minute, until gas started flowing out of the airbox overflow. I thought "who cares, these things are bombproof, easy carb adjustment" once i got it home and decided (probably foolishly) the give it another listen, the leak now is coming out of the right crankshaft cover. Initially i thought it was gas bc of the low viscocity and smell, but i couldnt figure out how gas could get down there. then i stuck a blade of grass in the oil port and sure enough, there appears to be more gas in there than oil. i think the guy has been riding around for a while with stuck float(s) and now the crankshaft seal has finally been disolved by the gas.

so i plan on
-adjusting the carbs (easy, watched some youtube videos)
-draining the oil
-replacing the right hand crankshaft seal
-discovering a whole bunch of other problem associated with the excessesive fuel in oil

questions
-anybody know how many hours approx it will take to switch the crankshaft seal? (I'm relatively experienced with '80s japanesse headaches, 2nd GS and had 2 old yota pickups)
-is there anything else that will prob need replacing so i dont do more damage?

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. BeanTown,

You carburetors need to be completely disassembled, cleaned, and rebuilt using an O-ring kit from http://cycleorings.com. The float valves are leaking gas that is making it's way to the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing over filling and spewing.

Carefully and thoroughly go through the maintenance lists in your "mega-welcome". After successful completion you will be insanely happy and have a well running, reliable motorcycle. If you take any short cuts you will be terribly frustrated and have a pile of useless iron, aluminum, and rubber.

You'll find a regular GS850G partay over on my little website. Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



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!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[tom203]

Since this impulse purchase is your second GS, you must be familiar with petcock problem- you know like gas dribbling down into #2 carb when running (via vacuum hose ) or a petcock that never shuts off and overwhelms all the carbs float valves. Lots of gas in crankcase would really thin out and might leak by the gasket on cover. Check out petcock, drain oil and replace with good stuff before you rip stuff off. Who knows you might get lucky and not have to remove carbs, but don't bet on it! A guy named Basscliff will descend on you shortly- he's late.
Edit- he found you!

[BassCliff]

Hi,

A guy named Basscliff will descend on you shortly- he's late.

Yeah, I've got this thing called "work" that sometimes interferes with my GSR forum time.

Good call on the petcock too. I should have mentioned that. But Mr. BeanTown will see that in the maintenance lists. Remember, don't take shortcuts!


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[BeanTown]

Thanks guys, Cant wait to ditch work and get dirty. Ill take another look at the petcock but i think its ok (it only gushes when running). Then ill change the oil and pull the carbs, for at very least some sleuthing. The complete overhall will have to wait for parts.

Should i be worried about other damage that may have occured due to the excessive amount of gas in the oil? could my piston rings be shot from attempting to compress liquid? or all pieces of rubber in the engine shot from the excellent solvency of gas? I guess only time will tell but i think im going to be a bit cautious with it for a while.

[tom203]

Quick check on petcock (not conclusive) is to pull off vac line and plug fitting on #2 carb, put petcock lever on "Prime"; fire it up - still gushing?

[BeanTown]

with still gushing meaning bad, right? also, what does the prime setting do anyways? ive always been curious

[DanTheMan]

with still gushing meaning bad, right? also, what does the prime setting do anyways? ive always been curious

Actually, he told you wrong. On the the prime setting, on all but the screwdriver operated 2 position petcocks, gas should always come out. It's to fill dry carb bowls. If you unhook the vacuum line, and leave the petcock in the run position, start the bike, and it quits running, that's good, it's sucked the bowls dry and no more fuel will come from the tank. Turn it to prime and it should pour out of the petcock (not the vacuum line), that's good, that's the way it should work. If it's a 2 position screwdriver operated petcock, it requires vacuum to start the prime, and then it'll keep going.
If you unhook the fuel line, leaving the petcock in the Run or Prime position and it keeps dumping gas without the engine running, the petcock is bad.

[BeanTown]

THE VERDICT: All floats low by about 3-4mm, so the gas never stopped flowing.
So much fuel had gotten into the crank case that the level had risen above the crankshaft and the fuel/oil began leaking out of the right seal. When i drained it 2+ gallons of fuel oil mix came out (anybody have a two stroke and want to make a deal?)

I reset the float height and the gas stopped pouring. After a considerable amount of pillow talk and caressing i got her to idle with about 10-20% choke and a moderate amount of white smoke.

Shes far from ready to go but im calling today a success.

[850 Combat]

So you did not clean the carbs then? or is that idling with the airbox off?

[BeanTown]

No not yet. gave them a good spray down and once over with a que tip for now. carb rebuild will be coming when i get into my new garage next week. Idling fully assembled. Hey at least I can get it back up the hill i rolled it down to work