Oil Leak Where Cases Fit Together

[Guest]

OK I'm back with some new questions and a different bike.

I bought a bike with what is most likely a 1983GS 1100E engine. The cases are black and from everything I know about these engines, this is a 1983 GS1100E engine, though it could be a1982 that someone did a relatively decent paint job on.
I have an oil leak, looks like the oil is leaking right where the cases separate/fit together. Not a major leak (no puddles under bike) but enough for me to see oil dripped onto the pipes (4 into 1) after about an hour ride. It does not look like it is coming from around the oil filter cover area.
Any ideas on what might cause this?

Should I try to put a bead of some type of sealant across the region where the two sections of the cases meet and hope for the best?

What else can be done?

Is this likely to be an engine threatening issue?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

First, determine the exact location of the leak. The standard procedure is to thoroughly clean the engine then apply some spray powder, like foot powder, to the suspect areas. Run the bike and check for the wet spot. Then the proper course of action can be taken. It might be as easy as a brass washer or thread sealer on a head bolt, or use of some RTV sealant, depending on where the leak is.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Billy Ricks]

Could be coming from the cam chain tensioner on the back of the cylinder block and traveling to the front due to the slant of the engine.

[Jimmyd]

Oil Leak

Could be coming from the cam chain tensioner on the back of the cylinder block and traveling to the front due to the slant of the engine.

OK that sounds like some mess. Assuming that's a correct diagnosis,
should I start crying now or is this something that can be fixed without me having the (should I put this money into another bike) questioning session?
Thanks

[tkent02]

OK that sounds like some mess. Assuming that's a correct diagnosis,
should I start crying now or is this something that can be fixed without me having the (should I put this money into another bike) questioning session?
Thanks

Very simple fix, five bucks and an hour or so. O ring, oil seal and a gasket.
First step is to pinpoint the leak as Cliff suggests.

[BassCliff]

OK that sounds like some mess. Assuming that's a correct diagnosis,
should I start crying now or is this something that can be fixed without me having the (should I put this money into another bike) questioning session?
Thanks

Hi,

Not to worry. Really. Here's some info provided by Mr. bwringer about the cam chain tensioner. It's really not a big deal.

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/camchaintens.html

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Jimmyd]

Oil Leak

I decided to pull the starter while I had some decent weather yesterday. I hear more snow is on the way this week.
I should have said this from the begining, but the leak appears to be coming from the exhaust side.
The cam tensiner looks juicy as well but I can't image the oil makes it all the way around to the front of the engine. In fact I'm pretty sure the tensioner thingy is not the source.
When I put the stater in and fire it up I'll do the powder thing to see if I identify the source of the leak.

Keep me posted.

[chuck hahn]

sir...yes oil gets all the way up to the top of the engine to lube the cams, the cam chain. cam chain roller srocket,tach cable gears.... and yes it goes all down around the cam chain tensioner too. thats why theres a gasket there. the oil sending unit also has a rubber gasket between it and the engine case. oil can come out where the tach cable inserts into the front of the heads. in short, every square inch of the engine gets oiled in some fashion or another.

[BassCliff]

... I can't image the oil makes it all the way around to the front of the engine...

Hi,

You'd be surprised how a small oil leak can make its way all over that engine. It's amazing. If you're sure the leak is on the front, the first suspect is the tach cable seal. But we won't know for sure until it's cleaned and powered.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[rapidray]

On 82 & 83 1100s, the center 2 front head nuts have ORINGS on them that lose their seal & start leaking & cause the same thing you are experiencing also. Get small brushes or bottle brushes, & clean the CRAP out of the motor with Simple Green or a similar cleaner. After you have cleaned the CRAP out of the motor, let it dry completely & then do the foot powder test. Ray.

[Jimmyd]

Oil Leak

Well I have heard that oil leaks that appear in one place can really travel from unexpected other places on the bike.
After the snow is all finished and I get another 40+ degree day I'll put the starter back on.
I'm going to wait for some consistent 40+ - 50+ weather to wash/clean and foot powder the bike to test for the source of the leak.

I appreciate the feedback guys, thanks.

Anyone have a good source for a not so expensive lift.
What is a good price?
The center stand has been removed from my bike (I have it in the basement) and I figure I will leave it that way, but tires will be a must this year so I need a way to remove the tires, and I am not sure one of the hydraulic lifts is the answer as I have a 4 into 1 pipe that seems like it might interefere with a traditional hydraulic lift. I think I need something that connects to the swing arms an/or front forks. Maybe I will put the center stand on until I get the tires replaced, but I would prefer stands.

Thanks

[blowerbike]

one thing for sure is that the sealer between the case halves get hard and yes i have seen several GS's leaking between the front of the cases and oil dripping on the header...fact.
the black engines make it easier to see the leak source.
one..
split the cases and re-seal.
two..
clean the case area's very good and run a bead of black or clear silicone in the seam.
i can't believe no one else has seen these kind of leaks on a GS before

[chef1366]

Well I have heard that oil leaks that appear in one place can really travel from unexpected other places on the bike.
After the snow is all finished and I get another 40+ degree day I'll put the starter back on.
I'm going to wait for some consistent 40+ - 50+ weather to wash/clean and foot powder the bike to test for the source of the leak.

I appreciate the feedback guys, thanks.

Anyone have a good source for a not so expensive lift.
What is a good price?
The center stand has been removed from my bike (I have it in the basement) and I figure I will leave it that way, but tires will be a must this year so I need a way to remove the tires, and I am not sure one of the hydraulic lifts is the answer as I have a 4 into 1 pipe that seems like it might interefere with a traditional hydraulic lift. I think I need something that connects to the swing arms an/or front forks. Maybe I will put the center stand on until I get the tires replaced, but I would prefer stands.

Thanks

Try Harbor Freight for a lift

one thing for sure is that the sealer between the case halves get hard and yes i have seen several GS's leaking between the front of the cases and oil dripping on the header...fact.
the black engines make it easier to see the leak source.
one..
split the cases and re-seal.
two..
clean the case area's very good and run a bead of black or clear silicone in the seam.
i can't believe no one else has seen these kind of leaks on a GS before

I've seen this on my ED motor. Not much of a leak but a light dribble.
It's getting split in a year anyhow so Who Cares!

[Jimmyd]

Bike Lift

Actually I am wondering if anyone knows of a good (reasonibly priced) manual non hydraulic lift.

I have a 4 into 1 pipe on the bike and I not sure anything that lifts the bike from the bottom will work.
My guess is pipes may not support the weight of the entire bike while sitting on a hydraulic lift.

Thanks

James