Help with a possible engine problem...

[Pylar]

Hey Folks,

Well I'm in a bit of trouble, I am planning on going on vacation leaving Saturday the 26th to do Tail of the Dragon/Blue Ridge parkwary..etc.  And my bike is giving me problems  I just can't seem to narron it down. 

Here's the situation.
I have a 1999 1200 Bandit with about 37,000 miles.   At about 50 mph I feel a vibratation from the engine.  I know it's the engine because if I let go of the throttle (or engage the clutch) it evens out.  Somtimes as I accelerate around that speed the engine will actually sputter and pop.   I have had a persistant but minor oil leak from the head gasket since I've owned the bike.  (I've found that this is a common occurance on this bike) But now I've noticed that the leak is getting bigger.   And the last thing I'm noticing is an increased fuel scent from my exhaust. 

I am wondering if the head gasket leak could be causing some of my problems?  Any ideas on how I can isolate this problem or should I just look at doing regular maintenance stuff..replace the plugs/airfilter/oil kind of things to see if that cleans stuff up?  (And for the record I do keep up with regular maintanence oil change was less then 2k miles ago)

[txbanditrydr]

By the term "head gasket" do you really mean valve cover gasket????  Leaks around the valve cover won't really affect how the engine runs so I wouldn't worry too much about that.  I do NOT recommend you "snug" up any of the capscrews without the use of a good quality torque wrench - better to leak oil than to strip out or crack something.

Bandits tend to be buzzy or vibrating at certain speeds/rpms - is this something totally new??

Consider pulling the plugs and check their color - checking the air filter is a good idea too.  Bad gas or gummed carbs can lead to sputtering - try a different gas station or add some cleaner to the gas (Berrymans B-12, Techtron, SeaFoam, etc.)

Sorry I can't offer anything more specific - good luck and keep us posted.

[pmackie]

I'm with tx here, start with:

1. Fresh new air filter

2. New plugs, if they are more than a year or two old. - Have a look at the old plugs. I'm assuming your "head" leak is really tappet cover. If you really have a head gasket leak, then you could be pulling oil into one cylinder, and you will have one really carboned up plug.

3. Switch to a Major Brand (Exxon, Shell, Mobil) Premium fuel for a tank or two (they tend to have more detergents), and consider the addition of Techron or similar fuel cleaner. It's worth removing the tank, and fuel petcock and draining anything in the tank to see if you are picking up water and/or sediment. If so, add or replace the in-line fuel filter.

4. Once you're sure the above is all OK, make sure you have the carbs sychronized.

Your comment about increased fuel smell in the exhaust has mean leaning towards the air filter first, but you may be smelling the crancase oil burning (either in the cylinder or on the exhaust).

[Pylar]

Yeah I did mean the valve cover gasket.  I talked to a couple mechanics in my area. (One of which has worked on my bike before) and they seem to agree with what you guys have said.  I will knock all that out over the next week.  Unfortunately since my first post some family issues have popped up and I'll am going to have to reschedule my trip up to the mountains..but at least I'll have time to get my bandit purring before hand!  Thanks for the help all.