Any luck with liquid oil stop leak?

[hikermikem]

Thanks guys! Thankfully BassCliff had a manual for my bike. I had looked through it but was unable to figure out whether the motor had to be removed or not. I'll get a gasket coming and when it gets real cold I'll tear into it. Do you know any resources for gaskets rather than the $75.00 one at Babbitts. Really seems a little steep for a gasket. Is that typical or am I really that cheap?

Parts Shark has good prices, but not that much less that Babbitts

http://www.partshark.com/fiche_select1.asp?cat=Motorcycles&mfg=Suzuki

Don't forget to buy that $17 o-ring (Suzuki OEM p/n - 09280-99003) that goes around the cam chain tunnel as well...

The only dicey part of replacing a head gasket is getting the cams & cam chain back in the right position so the timing isn't screwed up. Not hard, but you must pay attention. Follow the manual & no worries.

Good luck,

mike

[hikermikem]

Define "chilly". It's 35 degrees out right now, As soon as I turn off the computer, I am headed on my 77-mile commute to work. .

Steve - you da man...

[Nessism]

Head gasket leaks often trigger an escalation of work needed/recommended. For example, while the head is off the base gasket should be replaced otherwise you are risking further leaks, and the valve stem seals should be replaced and maybe the rings as well.

Before pulling the head a compression check should be performed so you can judge the condition of the valves and rings. Of course, the valves need to be adjusted before checking compression. If the compression is good, there is no need to replace the rings although the valve stem seals should be replaced regardless if you are going to keep the bike long term.

Good luck

[Zooks]

Stop! Make sure where it is leaking. Clean the engine thoroughly, run it just a little until you can determine where the leak is. If you can't tell clean it again and use some powder or something so you can tell where it first leaks. A little bit of oil can travel a long way, cam chain tensioners and tachometer cables (which ALWAYS leak unless they have been fixed) can look just like leaky head gaskets.
Second, how much is a small leak? Having to clean the engine twice a year is a lot easier than pulling a head. If it blows a quart each day that's something else.

Ditto! " " "

I've got old bikes that have leaked a little bit of oil for many, many years. If it's only small sometimes it's not worth worrying about.


In fact, British bikes came from the factory like that.

[Steve]

Steve - you da man...

What??

You think I'm the only one that does a 77-mile comute?

.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. motogeek,

Sorry I'm late. I'm glad you found all the GS850G lovin' at my website. Yes, make sure the leak isn't something easy like a tach cable seal or valve cover gasket. Now let me say "Hi"...

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[hikermikem]

What??

You think I'm the only one that does a 77-mile comute?

.

Well, no... I have a 65 mi (RT) comute myself... but at 30 degrees in the morning and a thin layer of frost on the back roads, & no faring on my bike I don't ride it in any more this season.

More power to ya

[TheCafeKid]

Head gasket leaks often trigger an escalation of work needed/recommended. For example, while the head is off the base gasket should be replaced otherwise you are risking further leaks, and the valve stem seals should be replaced and maybe the rings as well.

Before pulling the head a compression check should be performed so you can judge the condition of the valves and rings. Of course, the valves need to be adjusted before checking compression. If the compression is good, there is no need to replace the rings although the valve stem seals should be replaced regardless if you are going to keep the bike long term.

Good luck

Ed, forgive my ignorance, as ive never suffered a head gasket leak (yet, knock on wood) but if the head gasket is leaking, wouldnt compression numbers be out of wack anyway?

I just figure, if ive got to pull the head, and the bike has any kind of real miles on it since a top end service, I might as well rebuild the sucker for as quick and painless as it really is. Sometimes ive decided the rings are fine, and just done valve seals, but it almost makes sense just to do them too while you're in there, unless of course the budget is really tight. Then again, Im a silly man, and think nothing of throwing 500 bucks at a bike to get it running tip top again. Some guys want to do as little as possible...as evidenced by some of the Q&A on this board at times..

[tkent02]

Ed, forgive my ignorance, as ive never suffered a head gasket leak (yet, knock on wood) but if the head gasket is leaking, wouldnt compression numbers be out of wack anyway?

Only if the combustion chamber is leaking. The seal is stronger around the bore than the rest of the gasket. Usually they just leak oil.

[TheCafeKid]

Only if the combustion chamber is leaking. The seal is stronger around the bore than the rest of the gasket. Usually they just leak oil.

Cool, thanks for the clarification Tom. I have played with these suckers for a few years now, and STILL learn something new just about every time i log on...I love this place

[Steve]

You think I'm the only one that does a 77-mile comute?

Well, no... I have a 65 mi (RT) comute myself... but at 30 degrees in the morning and a thin layer of frost on the back roads, & no faring on my bike I don't ride it in any more this season.

More power to ya

OK, so I cheat.

Mid-30s to mid-40s the last few days, FULL fairing (with heated vents warming my toes ), electric jacket and gloves and 220 watts of headlight power.
Managed all five days last week, will be off Thursday and Friday this week (the kids are coming in), so will only ride three days this week.

Oh, and the 77 miles is one way.

.