I took the FJ for a ride this afternoon and discovered oil on my right boot (foot) when I returned home.I do vaguely remember another member asking a similar question about oil on his boot also but am unable to find it again.I would be appreciative if someone pointed me to the post in question. I also noticed the head gasket appears to be weeping oil on the front right side so I guess this is where it came from. I wish this was another one of those minor quirks I could ignore,but fear it may turn out to be terminal for the bike(at least temporarily). Can anyone offer me any insight as to the possible cause and obviously the cure ? I'm guessing a blown head gasket,but is this common ? I have no idea if the head has ever been removed in the past,probably has as the mileage is about 73000.It's an 86 1TX if that matters.
This (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6708.0) and this (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6412.msg56595#msg56595) were all I found with a quick searching.
Then I went to here (http://www.google.com) and searched a little differently (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&sclient=psy-ab&q=oil+leak+right+insite:+www.fjowners.com&oq=oil+leak+right+insite:+www.fjowners.com&gs_l=hp.3...6651.8402.1.8527.15.15.0.0.0.9.183.1859.0j14.14.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.PdzUEh8jc2E&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=177c7ff705652ec3&biw=1230&bih=695), and got some more hits.
Doublecheck the valavecover screws first though, they're a frequent source of leakage.
Check valve cover screws, valve cover gasket, front brake caliper and fork seals.
Derek
...also check the oil filler cap is screwed on! DAMHIK! :dash2:
Ok I'll play..... Not the valve cover bolts exactly, but the valve cover grommets that seal the bolts.
DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN these valve cover bolts, you will strip the aluminum threads in the head.
It's the grommets that cause the leak.
Also...
On the right side, at the top of the crank case, there is a vent tube which should extend up to your airbox.
Check to see if this crank case vent tube is connected both at the airbox, and at the top of the crankcase..
We get a bunch of blow by from our engines, and with it carries a mist of oil.
Also,
Check around your cam chain adjuster.
When in doubt, wash your engine and blow corn starch or baby powder in the areas so you can easily see where the problem is....
Please report back to us, and let us know what you found..... Cheers!
^^
This (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1832.msg14507#msg14507) prolly will prove helpful.
Quotecam chain adjuster.
Often called a tensioner. :good2:
Thanks for all the replies !
These are my observations ;
My forks don't leak
I have a crankcase breather from Randy (relatively new and seems reasonably clean)
rebuilt the clutch slave and replaced the hose,no leaks
no leaks from the oil cooler or lines
the front calipers have also had new seals and don't leak
yes,the oil fill cap is tight and doesn't appear to leak
the timing chain tensioner and surrounds are oil free as is the valve cover
it doesn't appear to blow any smoke,hard to tell when riding
I do regular oil changes,it uses about a liter every 1000 or so miles (miles not km,it's a 1TX)
I use a well known motorcycle oil (don't want to mention brands and side track things)
haven't tested the compression yet,the compression tester is still on it's way
The oil is only on the right front upper corner of the cylinder where it meets the head,nothing on the head or above it.
Thanks for pointing me towards the previous discussions but this appears a little different
and finally sorry if I posted this twice,I'm not a computer geek and I timed out half way through typing(yes ,I'm a one finger typist,slow).
Brendan.
maybe the base gasket , I owned a gsx , used to leak oil from the base gasket onto my right boot, but would never spray back into the bike unless in a bad cross wind , only found where it was leaking from one day as it pooled behind the head near the starter motor cover
Quote from: andyb on September 04, 2012, 08:14:39 AM
This (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6708.0) and this (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6412.msg56595#msg56595) were all I found with a quick searching.
Then I went to here (http://www.google.com) and searched a little differently (https://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&sclient=psy-ab&q=oil+leak+right+insite:+www.fjowners.com&oq=oil+leak+right+insite:+www.fjowners.com&gs_l=hp.3...6651.8402.1.8527.15.15.0.0.0.9.183.1859.0j14.14.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.PdzUEh8jc2E&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=177c7ff705652ec3&biw=1230&bih=695), and got some more hits.
Doublecheck the valavecover screws first though, they're a frequent source of leakage.
More likely the VC screw seals.... they get old and deteriorate. DON'T try to just torque on them, they are stepped and WILL break.....
Thanks again for all the effort trying to diagnose my problem.I know it is very hard to do sight unseen.Took the bike into Bundy bike wreckers and got some free advice from the local guru Kerry Ellis.It is a leaking head gasket,but being such a small weep he suggested leaving things be till it becomes a problem.I'm currently saving to replace the timing chain (due to the mileage) so I guess that will be the time to deal with the leak as well.Big relief to know I can still ride her,but with a very watchful eye in case things progress . The best part is I now feel as though I am a member of the FJ owners family instead of just another dickhead with a bike.The support has been fantastic.In case you missed it THANKS VERY MUCH ,you deserve it.
Since there is no oil at the right side if the engine, I am still thinking v/c gasket & grommets.
The only place the head gasket can leak oil is from the left side studs which are the oil galley to the head, and in that location at the head gasket, there are dowel seals.
You need to clean the upper engine and pin point the leak.
Randy - RPM
Is this forum cool? That little nugget of info is good to know...thanks Randy!
Quote from: racerrad8 on September 05, 2012, 11:08:12 AM
Since there is no oil at the right side if the engine, I am still thinking v/c gasket & grommets.
The only place the head gasket can leak oil is from the left side studs which are the oil galley to the head, and in that location at the head gasket, there are dowel seals.
You need to clean the upper engine and pin point the leak.
Randy - RPM
Now you got me worried again Randy.I will pull the fairings and tank of today and let you know what I find.As Pat says ,a very helpful bit of insight.Praises again!
I have personally seen oil on the right boot before... but it was when hoffman left his oil filler cap at the service station during a rally ride.....he fashioned a crude substitute with a soda bottle cap, tape, a stick and some wire.... i've got a pic of it somewhere.
KOokaloo!
Quote from: racerrad8 on September 05, 2012, 11:08:12 AM
The only place the head gasket can leak oil is from the left side studs which are the oil galley to the head, and in that location at the head gasket, there are dowel seals.
Isn't the oil galley (up from the pump) on the right side of the motor (as sitting on the bike)?
I remember my manual saying to install the copper head washers on the left side of the head, but it seemed to make more sense to install them on the right side studs to seal the oil galley.
Am I missing something?
DavidR.
Pulled the tank and fairings off today.The valve cover looks as dry as a nuns c--t.The wet spot(oil ?) is only on the right side front of the cylinder ,not on the head or the front or rear of the cylinder.More of a sweating or weep than a drip or leak as such.There is a screw on the right side that the clymer says is used to prime/bleed the oil system after a rebuild,it's not from there either.
Is it possible what I saw on my boot is actually fuel residue from the overflows working its way forward ?
Perhaps the oil at the cylinder head joint is another issue entirely ?
The oil (?) on the cylinder is only where the head and cylinder meet and extends about a half inch around the front and about two inches along the side of the barrel.It is only on the join ,not above or below.
Unfortunately the photos I took today are not very clear ,so I will try to get a decent shot tomorrow for you.
I have actually had a very similar issue (oil on my right boot after a ride) and found it to be the crankshaft end seal. Check the cap seal under the crankshaft cover plate. Mine was a mystery for a while as it seems the airflow right there goes every which-way and blows a little oil into many, many places. I got a replacement seal from Randy and while all the manuals say that you have to split the cases to change it, Randy had stated that you can fit the seal without doing so. I had actually put a little silicone sealant around the old seal while still in place, just to see if that was indeed the issue, and have not had an oily boot since. If that fails, I'll put the new seal in place.
Easy to check. And if that's not it, no harm done.
David,
You are correct...after a 16 hour day at Disneyland, then dinner to follow, bed after 2am I wasn't thinking quite clearly at 8am when I wrote that.
The oil galley to the head is on the R/S, the two outer studs that are sealed around the dowels by the dowel seal (http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Head%3ADowelSeal).
L/S,
Make sure it is not the cooler blowing back onto the area you are talking about. The ports for the cooler are in the vicinity you are describing. Try and get the photo up when you get a chance.
Randy - RPM
Sorry for not posting a photo,I can't get it to work.I did a search on how to and tried to follow fjmonkey's advice but to no avail.
The oil is only on the right side of the cylinder from the head gasket join down about four fins.It doesn't extend to the rear and has crept about an inch around the front.The oil isn't from the cooler or the lines nor the valve cover.It appears to be leaking from the head gasket and no where else.
The oil fill cap seems to have sweated or breathed a bit so that probably explains the oil on the boot.(Thanks Racerman,shows I should look first and panic last). Doesn't explain the cylinder leak though !
Took the bike for a ride today,the oil isn't from the filler cap so must be from the head gasket.More money ! Does it ever end,perhaps I should admit defeat and buy a newer more reliable bike.
there is a good brand head gasket on eBay , cheap enough , in aus ,, he has a few other gaskets too , , not too hard to change, I did it after sitting at home for two weeks recovering from brain surgery , so you should be ok :good2:
Quote from: fj11.5 on September 11, 2012, 06:15:30 AM
there is a good brand head gasket on eBay , cheap enough , in aus ,, he has a few other gaskets too , , not too hard to change, I did it after sitting at home for two weeks recovering from brain surgery , so you should be ok :good2:
Now there is one hell of an endorsement.... Changing your FJ head gasket is not brain surgery, but you can do it right after it.......
Quote from: fj11.5 on September 11, 2012, 06:15:30 AM
there is a good brand head gasket on eBay , cheap enough , in aus ,, he has a few other gaskets too , , not too hard to change, I did it after sitting at home for two weeks recovering from brain surgery , so you should be ok :good2:
Thanks for looking for me appreciate it and the words of encouragement are choice,just get a bit frustrated at times.
yes the girls can be frustrating mate, , no worries about looking for you , all good ,,
Get some photos posted. If you cannot get them to the website, get the to a host website like Photobucket and I can take a look at them. The location you are seeing oil is troubling me as the only oil source is at the right two stud at the very right of the engine. For the oil to be at the front and in on the head does not seem like it could be coming from the outside stud grommet.
Randy - RPM
Leatherskin, take a crack at posting one photo. When we see the post (even if we can't see the pic) we can look at the code and guide you on what you need to do to post them. Then you will be able to post when ever you want.
Thanks for the encouragement ,I will try again for a photo.(http://s1077.photobucket.com/albums/w474/%20fjleatherskin/) p.s. this makes working on the carbys seem a piece of cake. Don't think it worked again,appreciate any help.
Quote from: leatherskin on September 14, 2012, 06:39:29 AM
Thanks for the encouragement ,I will try again for a photo.(http://s1077.photobucket.com/albums/w474/%20fjleatherskin/) p.s. this makes working on the carbys seem a piece of cake. Don't think it worked again,appreciate any help.
Click on the IMG code next the picture in you photobucket account and it will copy automatically, then just paste it in you message box here on FJOwners.com, like this...
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w474/fjleatherskin/03d07223.jpg)
Leon
There, I did it again!
Easy Peasy, lemon squeezy!
(http://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w474/fjleatherskin/53625610.jpg)
Thanks for the pointers ,I actually cheated a bit and sent the pics to the ever helpful Randy. His diagnosis is the dowel seals on the outer studs as he stated in his last reply on this forum. How good is this fellow ? He has certainly won my praise,again !
Thanks 1tinindian for posting the pics for others to see,hopefully next time I will be able to manage it.
I wanted to post the photos for you but... I was working from my cell phone and it is too smart for me...
Randy - RPM
Hey Leatherskin,
You asked "How good is this fellow [from R.P.M.]?"
Well, it is getting close to the ECFR & my clutch begins to engage just as the lever leaves the bar - however, it is intermittent and there is no fluid leakage. It causes some close calls and makes shifting problematic.
NOTE: I am confident that the slave cylinder is functioning properly because it was rebuilt by a fine mechanic and the best looking fellow at the ECFR the year prior to last.
I see that RPM list a rebuild kit for the master cylinder but I am out of time & have other commitments as well.
I called RPM and Randy set aside time from his own busy schedule to in fact install the rebuild kit and he was considerate enough to give the bike a thorough inspection. Several items were noted & corrected; however most critical was the rear brake pads had worn not through the flat surfaces, but on the edges and had worn grooves into the caliper itself, not allowing for complete release of the brake.
Randy disassembled the caliper, HAND filed the surfaces, installed new seals and was able to save the caliper, quite a job in and of itself. Most people would have simply junked the caliper and sold their customer(s) a new unit.
My particular FJ has a lot of [sometimes hard] miles on it and it is principle because the gentleman from RPM either has the parts that I need, or as in this case is most accommodating to myself AND others as well, helping all of us to maintain our FJ's and keep them on the road.
So yes - he really is that good.
He even has no objection to skinny front axles or pink stripes...!
Ride safe,
Mike Ramos.
Mike - You really oughta get a room :shok: - you're gonna frighten the horses if you continue :yahoo:
Arnie