Light brown colour on the cylinder

[Marcus91]

Hi guys!

Im maybe purchasing a Suzuki GS650GL later today, but I have some worries about one of the cylinders! On the pics cylinder number 1 has some light brown colour on it. Actually, my latest GSX400E has that too. Is this something to be worried about?

[chuck hahn]

Its a sign of a gasket beginning to weep some oil. Doesnt necessarily mean a teardown is in order...jjust means it was seeping at some point. It may not be seeping now...and then again maybe it is. You wont really know unless you clean the area super good and then keep an eye on the suspected area.

[Marcus91]

Oh... Thats not good. But it seems to be dry though? Not wet fluid. My own GSX that is.

[chuck hahn]

Like i said...youll not know unless its cleaned and checked..you spray some athletes foot spray powder on the cleaned area and get the engine hot. The powder will begin to show signs of getting wet as it absorbs the oil. this will show exactly what leaking. The oil may also be migrating down from like the valve cover and pooling at the gasket below. Gotta clean it up and spray any suspicious areas.