Author Topic: Annoying Oil Leak (Read 5445 times)

Sven · « **on:** September 07, 2005, 02:42:21 PM »

Back at the beginning of July, I came home after a long day of riding and found I had an oil leak, and had lost quite a bit of oil. It turned out many of the bolts on the clutch cover were loose enough to let it seep out pretty steadily. So I tightened them up, and drained the remaining oil and did the oil/filter change.

All was fine until about 10 days ago, when I started getting an intermittant drip here and there from the same place. I checked, and the bolts were all tight, with the exception of one that was SLIGHTLY loose. I tightened that one, but am still getting a couple drops here and there...can't see any ryhme or reason to why it leaks one day and not the next, or more correctly, after one trip/commute and not another.

Questions:

1) Do I need to order a new gasket? If I replace the gasket, all the oil will fall on the floor, so I guess I'll have to drain it and put in new again.

2) Does anyone in this group condone the use of those "stop-leak" fluids which are supposed to replenish gaskets/seals?

3) The oil collects on that little brass piece at the bottom of the clutch area and drips from there, but there's no oil anywhere higher on the engine than at the bottom of the clutch cover. Could it be coming from anywhere else? It's nice and brown, not the black crap that flings off the chain, so I believe it is engine oil, not chain lube.

As of this writing, the oil level was at the top of the line in the window, so I ma not losing so much that I've needed to add more, but unless I fix this problem, I will be needing to top it off eventually.

Oh, and I've got under 14K on the bike, in case that helps.

--The Svenster, who wants a bike as low-maintenance as his CRV.

2005B12S · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2005, 06:06:24 PM »

Do not use any stop leak, you will cause more problems as this crap will plug oil passages.

You probably need a new gasket. In addition, the factory manual recommends using Suzuki Bond at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions on the cover and using two new washers on the 2 forward screws next to the signal generator cover.

They did not list a torque value, just make sure to tighten all bolts down uniformly and be careful not to pinch the gasket. I highly recommend the factory service manual also.

Good Luck, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2005, 06:16:32 PM »

What Ed said.

Sven · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:23:08 PM »

Suzuki Bond being similar to loc-tite?

Sven · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:36:56 PM »

BTW, I have a copy of the Factory Service Manual on CD, and much like the parts schematics online, I can't ever find what I'm looking for. The parts you mention are part of the "crankcase cover" rather than the clutch, so it's sooo darn frustrating!

Sven · « **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:43:03 PM »

Isn't the signal generator cover on the opposite side of the bike? I wasn't looking to mess with that!

AND by the way, I have failed to say

!

Sven · « **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:46:57 PM »

I may have mislead you, I meant the Starter Clutch Cover on the left side, not the clutch cover on the right side...

snofrog · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2005, 09:57:19 PM »

Quote from: "Sven"

Back at the beginning of July, I came home after a long day of riding and found I had an oil leak, and had lost quite a bit of oil. It turned out many of the bolts on the clutch cover were loose enough to let it seep out pretty steadily. So I tightened them up, and drained the remaining oil and did the oil/filter change.

All was fine until about 10 days ago, when I started getting an intermittant drip here and there from the same place. I checked, and the bolts were all tight, with the exception of one that was SLIGHTLY loose. I tightened that one, but am still getting a couple drops here and there...can't see any ryhme or reason to why it leaks one day and not the next, or more correctly, after one trip/commute and not another.

Questions:

1) Do I need to order a new gasket? If I replace the gasket, all the oil will fall on the floor, so I guess I'll have to drain it and put in new again.

2) Does anyone in this group condone the use of those "stop-leak" fluids which are supposed to replenish gaskets/seals?

3) The oil collects on that little brass piece at the bottom of the clutch area and drips from there, but there's no oil anywhere higher on the engine than at the bottom of the clutch cover. Could it be coming from anywhere else? It's nice and brown, not the black crap that flings off the chain, so I believe it is engine oil, not chain lube.

As of this writing, the oil level was at the top of the line in the window, so I ma not losing so much that I've needed to add more, but unless I fix this problem, I will be needing to top it off eventually.

Oh, and I've got under 14K on the bike, in case that helps.

--The Svenster, who wants a bike as low-maintenance as his CRV.

not much oil will come out with the bike on the side stand unless...your not by chance filling it up to the window with it on the side stand are you ??your using the center stand for that right ??M

Sven · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2005, 10:14:28 AM »

When I did the oil change, it was with the centerstand. I haven't added any since that time. (If I followed your question correctly...)