oil leak question

[Guest]

I changed the oil on my '83 850GL. I am now noticing a very slight leak (occasional drip, nothing major) around the oil filter cover now. I opened the cover again to make sure the O-ring was properly set on it (which it was) and closed it, but I still have the leak. I tightened the acorn nuts pretty snugly. Do you think I just need to tighten the nuts more? I wanted to ask before I tightened them too much, and opened myself up to more problems.

Thanks.

[Nessism]

You need a new cover O-ring.

[chef1366]

Don't try to tighten them more. You'll be sorry.
Next post
Stripped studs on my oil filter cover.
Ed's right. Get an OEM o-ring.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Or use a flat piece of glass? & some wet & dry and sand the cover a .001 or 2

[toejams1]

I don't think it's the O-ring, as I put a brand new one on it, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try another one.

[headsbikesmopars]

If you have a new 'O' ring and it was installed correctly you have another issue. I agree with SQDancer...You probably have a cover that isn't flat anymore. You need to 'machine' .001-.004 off the cover to ensure flatness. That isn't very much...a sheet of notebook paper is in the .006 range. You can use a piece of plate glass or plate steel and some wet or dry sandpaper, 180 grit and graduate to 400 grit, keep the paper wet so it will not load up. Sand in right angles (90degrees) also do figure eights that will work too. Takes some time but you can do it. I once 'milled' the heads on a Bridgestone 350 GTR .020 with this method. Took a couple hours but it worked. Now I just chuck it into the mill. LOL, Good luck.

Terry

[Nessism]

Some of the aftermarket O-rings that are included with aftermarket oil filters are poor quality and sometimes leak. Is that new O-ring from Suzuki or from the aftermarket?

[toejams1]

It was a Suzuki ring, not aftermarket. I guess I will try the sanding thing.

[intrigue175]

Leaks

I am betting it is a small or thin O-ring check thickness it should be thicker than your old one. Metal like that usually doesn't warp for no reason it needs serious heat then cold to warp.

[alke46]

Did you coat the o-ring with a bit of oil or grease? That might be enough to soften it up where it will expand a bit. I like to dab a little grease in the channel that the o-ring sits in. So far, after doing this for nearly 50 years, not one leak at the filters. I'm talking cars as well as motorcycles. Good luck.

[chef1366]

I coat mine with grease just to keep it in the groove.

[toejams1]

Duh. You know what, I don't think I did dab a little oil on the ring. I've always done that on car oil changes, but I didn't on the bike. It couldn't be that easy could it?

[Billyboy]

Sure it could!