Help! Looking for Advice

[blokv1100]

I am leaking oil from the front end of the motor.
Since I am not mechanicaly gifted, I sought advice from the mechanic who does most of the major work. He believes that it is my Head Gasket. (This winter, I successfully replaced the valve cover gasket). Mechanic says that he would need to perform a "top end repair" which he does not do this time of year do to the amount of labor involved ($600-$800).
Mechanic noted that this problem will not necessarily leave me broke down on the side of the road, but will constantly leak (therefore spit oil on my legs).

What are your opinions of riding the bike without fixing the head gasket and dealing with the oil leak?

[Bribird]

I agree it will not leave you broke down on the side of the road, but will probably get worse as the miles add up. depending on how bad the leak is, I would be more concerned about the oil pressure drop going to your top end. I would drive it as little as possible til your mechanic can get around to fixing it. Plus the hot oil on leg thing, that would get old pretty quick.

[Don-lo]

Find out exactly where it is leaking. Scrub the engine down with engine cleaner and throw talcum powder on the suspected area. Check very closely and make sure. I had a leak on the back of the motor that ran down to the front.

Then fix it yourself!

[ktp1598]

I agree. Fix it yourself! I had to do something similar on an old Kaw and all I did was follow a Clymer manual. They give detailed instructions on how to do these things. Just take your time. You can do it in a weekend or two for the cost of a gasket scraper (recommended) and a gasket kit. If it's a bad leak, all it takes is 1 misplaced drop of oil on the brakes or tires during a hard corner and well....

[reddirtrider]

I wouldn't worry about harming the engine unless it's leaking so bad it looks like a punctured artery.

You've got an older bike and will probably need more work done on it over time than just fixing that leak. It's time to bone up on your mechanical skills (or learn new ones). You'll save a lot of $$ and it's not that hard- seriously.

[KGB]

Many of our bikes develop a leak where the tach cable attaches.
Center front of the motor.
A little weeping from here can look worse that it is.
This is very common and can be aggravating.

Clean the motor, as previously stated and check for the leak.
As in warm the motor, you may be able to just rev it a little and see where the oil is coming from. NOT SUSTAINED HIGH REVS as this will overheat the motor.
You said you replaced the valve cover gasket?
Where is the leak? Does it follow the cooling fins?
Or is it more towards the top end of the motor?

[blokv1100]

Many of our bikes develop a leak where the tach cable attaches.
Center front of the motor.
A little weeping from here can look worse that it is.
This is very common and can be aggravating.

Clean the motor, as previously stated and check for the leak.
As in warm the motor, you may be able to just rev it a little and see where the oil is coming from. NOT SUSTAINED HIGH REVS as this will overheat the motor.
You said you replaced the valve cover gasket?
Where is the leak? Does it follow the cooling fins?
Or is it more towards the top end of the motor?

I'll check the tach cable, I remember removing that when I did the valve cover gasket, maybe I didn't tighten it enough. Doesn't seem to be leaking from the fins, I think it's leaking from the front of the motor. The bolt right under the tach cable seems so be collecting the drip.

[blokv1100]

I wouldn't worry about harming the engine unless it's leaking so bad it looks like a punctured artery.

You've got an older bike and will probably need more work done on it over time than just fixing that leak. It's time to bone up on your mechanical skills (or learn new ones). You'll save a lot of $$ and it's not that hard- seriously.

I don't think it's a major leak, it's 1980 GS1100L.

"Bone up", I may try to find my testees...
I just don't want to get it apart and then not remember where everything goes. I just imagine taking the head cover off and things with tensions springing out everywhere.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. blokv1100,

If it's not the valve cover gasket, then it's probably the tach cable seal. As has been suggested, clean the area thoroughly, spray some powder around the area (foot powder), and check for the wet spot.

Mr. bwringer has documented the tach cable seal repair on his website. CLICK HERE.

Most of these bikes, including mine, need this repair eventually. I fixed mine just a couple months after I bought it. The motor stays cleaner longer now.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[waterman]

Clean it up, talc it, and take some pictures and post them. I have to agree with the others, it sounds like a tach cable leak, fairly common.

If it is head gasket, may try to retorque head bolts to see if that helps. Good luck and post up some pics (we like dirty, oily pics).

[reddirtrider]

I don't think it's a major leak, it's 1980 GS1100L.

"Bone up", I may try to find my testees...
I just don't want to get it apart and then not remember where everything goes. I just imagine taking the head cover off and things with tensions springing out everywhere.

Nothing with spring out out ya. You'd be surprised how many at this site work on their own machines, quite a few for the first time. There's lot's of experience here, and you'll find it's not as bad as you think. Especially considering your initial expectations.

You have an older bike. If you work on it yourself, you'll be able to afford to keep it. Farming jobs to mechaics will take you to the poor house.

[asetech]

600$-800$ how does this guy sleep at night?

[chef1366]

Is this the sixteen valve 80L model?

[kyscootertrash]

Oil Leak

If this is the 1980 16 valve L, it's probably the o-rings on the 2 front center head bolts. The o-rings leaking on the 16 valve motor looks just like a head gasket leaking.

[Joe Nardy]

Victor,

I agree that you should thoroughly troubleshoot and then tackle it yourself. I think you have quite a few fellow GSR members in your area with excellent mechanical skills who would probably be willing to help you out. If you want to bring it to Chicago I'll help you fix it!

Thanks,
Joe