Oil remains in top of engine around valves

[ccs]

Hello All;

I am checking my valve clearances and waiting on one of those silicone cam cover gaskets to arrive.

The bike has sat for about 3 days now and I've noticed that some oil remains in the top of the engine around *some* of the valves (i.e., some have drained completely and others have a teaspoon or two of oil still there).

Is this a problem?

Is my engine not draining oil back properly?

TIA.

Charles...

[Nessism]

Oil up top is a good thing and helps lube the cam while the oil pressure comes up.

[ccs]

Oil up top is a good thing and helps lube the cam while the oil pressure comes up.

So... do I need to worry about the valves that ARE draining?

Charles...

[chef1366]

Besides the cam chain tunnel you have drain holes in the corners of the head. The rest is there so the cams throw some oil about until the oil is pumped to the top end. You should be cool. Unless the drain ports are clogged.

[brveagle]

This is perfectly normal and what you want

[chef1366]

So... do I need to worry about the valves that ARE draining?

Charles...

By the way if your valves are draining you do have an issue:-D

[Suzuki mad]

When rebuilding a GS/GSX motor suzuki recomend that you put oil in all the pockets where the valve's are prior to putting the rocker box on.

Suzuki mad.

[ccs]

By the way if your valves are draining you do have an issue:-D

I hate it when someone says "you have an issue" and then drops the conversation without further elaboration.

Any thoughts on what I need to do to correct the valves that ARE draining?

Charles...

[Billy Ricks]

I hate it when someone says "you have an issue" and then drops the conversation without further elaboration.

Any thoughts on what I need to do to correct the valves that ARE draining?

Charles...

You would need to replace valve guide seals. You would know by the looks of the plugs if they are oil fouled and if you pulled the exhaust and carbs you should be able to see at least a portion of the valve stems.

It is normal for pools of oil to remain in the recesses of the head, especially the exhaust side.

[chef1366]

Charles,
I did not elaborate because I was joking. If your valve stem oil seals were draining oil into your combustion chamber you would smoke the neighborhood out at startup. As stated, oil in your head is a good thing. :-D

[Billyboy]

That was a good question! I noticed the same thing and was wondering...

Now I know.

[relic-rider]

Oil on top is fine, but it makes checking the valve clearances on the 8 valvers kind of messy. Trying to grab the shims out of the lifter buried in oil is not so fun. Also, I've gotten a faceful of oil when I remove the valve depressing tool and the lifter snaps back into place.

[Billyboy]

Oil on top is fine, but it makes checking the valve clearances on the 8 valvers kind of messy. Trying to grab the shims out of the lifter buried in oil is not so fun. Also, I've gotten a faceful of oil when I remove the valve depressing tool and the lifter snaps back into place.

There is that... I had the same problems.:?