Ooops. I guess it's my turn ...

[Steve]

... to track down an oil leak.

Went up to do some work for the kids today, my son pointed out an oil leak on the engine. It wasn't there when I left home.

Probably not that easy to see in this picture, but the whole cylinder area is wet around #3 and #4.


After the work was done, rode the 30 miles home. In the time it takes to take off a helmet and grab a camera out of the van (about 15 feet away), this was under the bike:


Went down to the carwash to spray it all down. Rode "around the block" on the way home (about 4 miles) to dry it off and see where the oil was starting to show.

Looks like it might be from the valve cover gasket, but I don't think I will get off that easy.

That is the front side of the intake valves on #3 and #4.

In the four miles home, there was this much oil on the fins:


Gotta get it ready for a rally in six weeks.

Going to do my best to not pull Wingsconsin's trick of riding my Wing to a GS rally.

.

[Dogma]

What makes you think it's not the valve cover gasket? It's leaking out the forward controls, most likely. Just another reason I hate 'em.

[Steve]

I have only looked, have not taken anything loose, other than pulling the two spark plug wires. I will probably replace the valve cover gasket and see if that's it, but knowing my luck with things, I don't anticipate getting off that easy. Right now, I am just waiting for it to cool down. Will probably wait until tomorrow to start tackling it.

I don't think the "forward controls" are causing any leaks. For one, they are not near enough to anything that might cause a leak and two, they are only wet on top, which means that something else is leaking onto them.

Really, they are not so much "forward controls". Just think of the floorboards as REALLY stretched-out footpegs that happen to have a brake pedal at the front edge. Not a whole lot different than "stock". TRUE "forward controls", like what are found on all the metric and American 'cruisers', really suck, as your feet are so far forward, you can't do anything with them. My floorboards are still pretty much in the stock location, so I can still stand on them to absorb the shock of a large dip/bump if necessary.

.

[fastbysuzuki]

Well you could look at the bright side, oil is cheap in the USA hope it's just the cam cover.

[storm 64]

I would also seriously think about ditching the synthetic oil and switching to regular Rotella non synthetic. Just my opinion... 👍

[Wingsconsin]

I would also seriously think about ditching the synthetic oil and switching to regular Rotella non synthetic. Just my opinion... 

There may be some wisdom in this sentiment
The way I understand synthetic oils (not to make this into an oil thread) is it has better 'flow' properties.
Revealing a leak as it develops due to it's ability to 'flow' at all temperatures.

I use DELO (Diesel Engine Lubricating Oil) 400 from Wal*mart and when my carbs cooperate my bikes work really well.

I do use the Rotella Synthetic on my Goldwing but it is 2002 technology vs 1983

[Cipher]

OIL THREAD!!!!!!
The oil looks like it the cam cover gasket. Easy fix.

[Chromedome]

I would also seriously think about ditching the synthetic oil and switching to regular Rotella non synthetic. Just my opinion... 

I'd only ever had one experience with a semi synthetic oil, put it in a well used Isuzi Diesel engine, naturally to be good to the thing and help it along, had to take it out even before the next oil change, I now only use a Good Quality, high spec mineral oil but looks like in your case may be to late for just an oil change. sorry!

[greg78gs750]

guys, pretty sure steve is up to speed on oil debates, just sayin'.....

[Steve]

Yeah, I know, but I'll play along anyway.

Let's just say for a minute that synthetic oil "caused" this leak. How did it do it and why did it wait so long?

1. I have only run synthetic (Rotella 5w-40) in this bike since I got it. I have run it for about 10,000 miles.
2. I have only run synthetic in my wife's bike since we got it in 2005. We have put about 25,000 miles on it.
3. I have only run synthetic (either Mobil 1 or Rotella) in my Wing since I got it in 2005. I have put on 96,491 of the 187,441 miles showing on the Wing's odometer.

This is the first major oil leak, other than the one caused by stripped studs on the oil filter cover last year on my 850.

Someone PLEASE convince me how synthetic oil "caused" this leak.

I am now headed out to the shop to do some investigative work.

Will probably check valve clearances while I am at it.
Anybody know how to get hold of that guy with the spreadsheet?

.

[Cipher]

Synthetic oil is magical. It has supernatural powers.

[alke46]

Will probably check valve clearances while I am at it.
Anybody know how to get hold of that guy with the spreadsheet?
.[/QUOTE]

Look in your bathroom---he should be looking right back at you in the mirror.

[bonanzadave]

Just checked my valve cover bolts. All needed just a nudge. I have a fairly new gasket that's seating in. My old gasket had a small piece go missing and it leaked like a sieve. Check your breather line too Steve..

[Chromedome]

Yeah, I know, but I'll play along anyway.

Let's just say for a minute that synthetic oil "caused" this leak. How did it do it and why did it wait so long?

1. I have only run synthetic (Rotella 5w-40) in this bike since I got it. I have run it for about 10,000 miles.
2. I have only run synthetic in my wife's bike since we got it in 2005. We have put about 25,000 miles on it.
3. I have only run synthetic (either Mobil 1 or Rotella) in my Wing since I got it in 2005. I have put on 96,491 of the 187,441 miles showing on the Wing's odometer.

This is the first major oil leak, other than the one caused by stripped studs on the oil filter cover last year on my 850.

Someone PLEASE convince me how synthetic oil "caused" this leak.

I am now headed out to the shop to do some investigative work.

Will probably check valve clearances while I am at it.
Anybody know how to get hold of that guy with the spreadsheet?

.

Do the mentainance, it's a 30 something year old bike, probably neglected for years, don't expect it to excel and humm like it was cared for! Undoubtedly flogged, thrashed, dropped, left lying outside, probably doing 25 or 30 mpg. Do the mentainance.



In the way of an apology.
Sorry Steve, only kidding LoL. Couldn't resist, just a bit of fun!

[storm 64]

Definitely don't want to start a oil debate. But since it's kind of already started. I would like to ask Steve a question, with all do respect. Why do you use the synthetic motor oil in your motorcycles? What is the big advantage in running synthetic motor oil in our Suzuki engines... In my experience with synthetic motor oil, it always caused a leak within short time. The last experience, was with my BMW. I switched to Amsoil synthetic motorcycle oil. 1000 miles later the base gasket started leaking... With my oil burners, I change the oil in the fall (end of riding season) and keep them topped off during the summer. They always has clean oil in them.☺