Oil Leak

[Guest]

My friend bought a 1982 GS1100L a few weeks back. In the last few days, he has noticed a sporadic oil leak and cannot locate where it is coming from. He said it looks to be dripping down the inside of the kickstand. He's cleaned the oil pan and checked the bolts for tightness and to see if he can see where the oil is coming from. So far no joy.

This morning, it was "fairly" cool here (55F) when he rode to work. The bike sat at work all day and no drips under it. This afternoon, it was almost 90 when he rode home. He went out to check it a couple hours after he got home and there was a small puddle under the bike and the inside of the kickstand was wet.

He's pretty good mechanically and is stumped on where the oil is coming from.

[earlfor]

My friend bought a 1982 GS1100L a few weeks back. In the last few days, he has noticed a sporadic oil leak and cannot locate where it is coming from. He said it looks to be dripping down the inside of the kickstand. He's cleaned the oil pan and checked the bolts for tightness and to see if he can see where the oil is coming from. So far no joy.

This morning, it was "fairly" cool here (55F) when he rode to work. The bike sat at work all day and no drips under it. This afternoon, it was almost 90 when he rode home. He went out to check it a couple hours after he got home and there was a small puddle under the bike and the inside of the kickstand was wet.

He's pretty good mechanically and is stumped on where the oil is coming from.

The most likely spot to leak is the left, front half moon rubber at the valve cover gasket.

[Tamara]

The most likely spot to leak is the left, front half moon rubber at the valve cover gasket.

I'll pass that along to him. Thanks

[BIG_brother]

It could be the oil over flow which is in that same area

[SqDancerLynn1]

Could be the mystery hole ? Drains the starter cavity under the motor by the kickstand-- starter O ring is a likely culprit

[gsrick]

Earl put your readers on, the leak is down by the kickstand.
Eric says look at the shifter shaft oil seal part 31 and might as well get part 38 and replace that oring while your there. boulevardsuzuki.com can hook you up. Deland Motorsports for us locals.

http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=96183&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=1982&fveh=2159

[Charlie G]

Earl put your readers on, the leak is down by the kickstand.
Eric says look at the shifter shaft oil seal part 31 and might as well get part 38 and replace that oring while your there. boulevardsuzuki.com can hook you up. Deland Motorsports for us locals.
http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1982&fveh=2159

Eric who??????

[Kiwi Canuck]

Have him check the Cam Chain Tensioner if it's not any of the other sources listed.
I had a leak on my GS1150 (OK not like that) and I finally traced it to the cam chain tensioner, oil was running down the starter motor cover and all down by the genertor cover and side stand area.

[Tamara]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've sent them on to him and he's going to do some troubleshooting when he gets out of work. He says thank you and I am trying to get him to join .

[Nessism]

I didn't invent this process, but endorse it.

Clean engine with Gunk engine spray cleaner or similar.

Dry engine (without running). Leaf blower works well.

Douse engine with white foot powder spray.

Start engine and watch closely for the leak source. The oil will show up clearly against the white powder. Look closely at the various possible leak sources suggested in this thread.

Finding leaks is very simple. You just need to work though a logical path.

[Tamara]

I didn't invent this process, but endorse it.

Clean engine with Gunk engine spray cleaner or similar.

Dry engine (without running). Leaf blower works well.

Douse engine with white foot powder spray.

Start engine and watch closely for the leak source. The oil will show up clearly against the white powder. Look closely at the various possible leak sources suggested in this thread.

Finding leaks is very simple. You just need to work though a logical path.

That's genius. My engine isn't leaking but I may try that just for curiosity sake.

[Badooka]

And it also helps for itchy smelly engines as well.

[Kiwi Canuck]

Reminds me of a joke

Kind of like rolling her in flour to find the wet spot, but different.

[earlfor]

Earl put your readers on, the leak is down by the kickstand.
Eric says look at the shifter shaft oil seal part 31 and might as well get part 38 and replace that oring while your there. boulevardsuzuki.com can hook you up. Deland Motorsports for us locals.
http://www.boulevardsuzuki.com/fiche...1982&fveh=2159

I know it is down by the kickstand. You stop the bike and put it on the sidestand. After sitting, the oil runs down, contacts the frame, runs rearward and then runs down the side stand. Been there, done that. It is a fact. The shift shaft oil seal will not run down the side stand. The oil will exit straight down under the sprocket location and never touch the side stand. Been there done that one too.

[bbjumper]

My vote would be the mystery hole, I'm guessing if he checks he'll find the oil level in the secondary drive will be well above the full mark.

But great idea to roll her in flower and look for the wet spot first..