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    Find those oil leaks

    This is an oldie but a goodie that deserves a repeat from time to time when it just saved a lot of time and/or money.

    On my run to Miss Fabs ride my GK started leaking oil from somewhere in the middle under the carbuerators. It looked to me like it was the gasket for the cam chain adjuster. The adjuster and the area below it were covered with oil. Better than a base or head gasket for sure but still a pain in the ass. Have to pull the carbs at least; better check to see if it is time for new rubber on the intakes while I am at it.

    I was getting ready to hit Bike Bandit to order the gasket when I thought I might as well do the old athelete's foot spray check. I try to keep a can around. I always get them cheap at dollar stores.



    I cleaned the area best I could, waited for it to dry and then sprayed the area well; the spray puts down a thin white coat. I then fired up the bike and let it run for a while. I checked the back of the engine and there was no new oil staining the white coat on the cam chain adjuster. There was however a brown ring appearing around the screw cover on the oil pressure lid. A quarter turn with a 19mm open end and my problem was solved. I came very close to spending money and doing work for no reason. It is the best way I have found by far to track down an oil leak.

    I did not take a picture at the time I saw the leak. But this is what the area looked like after I did the tightening. Notice there are no brown stains around the cam cover gasket.

    Believe in truth. To abandon fact is to abandon freedom.

    Nature bats last.

    80 GS850G / 2010 Yamaha Majesty / 81 GS850G

    #2
    Great tip Don. I need to remember this one.

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      #3
      Mr. dpep,

      Genius. Pure genius.

      Thank you for your indulgence,

      BassCliff

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        #4
        Yahhhhhh!

        Good scoop, Don! (It probably also cleared up any existing, irritating fungal infection.)\\/

        I also didn't know you could get that stuff at the dollar store but it sure sounds like a good thing to try first. Thanks!:-D
        1980 GS1100E....Number 15!

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          #5
          Great post! I had always used NDT weld test spray before but your idea is the same effect & WAY cheaper! Ray.

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            #6
            Wow First time I've heard about this way, Great
            Last edited by Guest; 07-15-2007, 05:20 AM.

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              #7
              I'm going to try this on one of my cars. It has the gas tank and fuel pump and filter in the trunk whick always smells of gasoline. If I spray this powder on all of the fittings it should show my leak which doesn't appear visibly to the naked eye.

              A great tip!

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