Bad Oil Leak On my GS550t

[blmiller8]

I looked down today when I got home and noticed a large pool of oil under my bike. I did a little further investigation and it looks like its coming from the lefts side. Im guessing the stator cover? Not absolutely sure though. Where can I get a gasket kit for this engine?

[Larry D]

I looked down today when I got home and noticed a large pool of oil under my bike. I did a little further investigation and it looks like its coming from the lefts side. Im guessing the stator cover? Not absolutely sure though. Where can I get a gasket kit for this engine?

Just make one from some gasket material. There little to no oil pressure there. The oil just kinda sloshes around in there to keep the stator cool.

[blmiller8]

Cool thanks. What kind of material can I use. I was going to use rtv. But I saw what that did to a gs1100 while I was at combat cycles.

[Nessism]

Find out the source of the leak before you worry about what gasket material. Stator cover is possible but not likely unless you crashed the bike and broke the cover. Clutch pushrod seal is possible, as is the shift lever seal. Clean the bike really well and find the leak source. If it is the stator cover, you can get oil resistant gasket material from any auto parts store. Very easy to make your own gaskets and cheaper than buying a premade gasket. A hole punch works well for making the holes, or a piece of round tubing sharpened on a grinding wheel.

Good luck.

[Larry D]

NO, NO, NO....no RTV. Just go to your favorite auto parts store and get some gasket material. It comes in rolls, in different widths. Get one wide enough to span the cover. Pick your favorite, it doesn't matter. I've read where people have used the cardboard from cereal boxes, in a pinch. Then remove the old one as intact as possible and trace it to the gasket material. Cut it out install and see if it's still leaking. Before removing the cover place the bike on the center stand, there will be some oil come out, but not as much as if you left it on the kickstand....Oh, just drain the oil and do a oil change while you're at it.

[Nessism]

Everyone here always says no RTV but many OE automotive applications use RTV instead of gaskets. The key is to use the proper type of RTV - get the kind that is designed to replace gaskets, not supplement them. Regardless, I recommend using a gasket for GS bikes. No sense in taking chances.

[blmiller8]

Everyone here always says no RTV but many OE automotive applications use RTV instead of gaskets. The key is to use the proper type of RTV - get the kind that is designed to replace gaskets, not supplement them. Regardless, I recommend using a gasket for GS bikes. No sense in taking chances.

Im smellin what you are steping in. I have no idea where to go to get a gasket kit for this bike. I let it run for about an hour today to see if I was right in thinking the leak was coming from the stator cover. I am starting to think that it might be coming from the bottom of the jug if that is possible. If so I am going to be tearing the bike down yet again.

[blmiller8]

Oh, just drain the oil and do a oil change while you're at it.

I think I will try taking your advice and hope that its just the stator cover leaking so I dont have to do any major work on the engine.

[Larry D]

Ed gives some good advise. You probably should clean the affected area well with a degreaser of some sort. Then after it's clean and completely dry, get some baby powder or flour or something like that and dust where you think it may be coming from. Start the bike and very quickly the you'll see where it's leaking.

[nisom512]

Clutch pushrod seal is possible, as is the shift lever seal.

Good luck.

what ever you do if you order this part make sure e you order it from here.

http://www.bikebandit.com/suzuki-motorcycle-gs550tx-1981/o/m6090

because the dealer had the wrong part for it and I tryed here and got the right one.

good luck with what ever you find out.
Jake

[Billy Ricks]

Ed gives some good advise. You probably should clean the affected area well with a degreaser of some sort. Then after it's clean and completely dry, get some baby powder or flour or something like that and dust where you think it may be coming from. Start the bike and very quickly the you'll see where it's leaking.

dpep posted some time back about using foot powder in spray form. The powder will discolor where the leak is at.

[blmiller8]

what ever you do if you order this part make sure e you order it from here.

http://www.bikebandit.com/suzuki-motorcycle-gs550tx-1981/o/m6090

because the dealer had the wrong part for it and I tryed here and got the right one.

good luck with what ever you find out.
Jake

Just wanted to double check with you the tx and t will use the same gasket. I plan on just going ahead and getting the new gasket then if that is not the problem going from there.