Think Ive blown a gasket

[FJTillDeath]

Ok so yesterday I did a check on my bike and discovered dried leaking oil on the motor.

I asked a friend who said I have either blown a gasket or it is loose, both of which he tells me are big jobs to fix.

I'll post up 2 pics but I would like second opinions on what the problem might actually be, how it could have happened and how to prevent in future, if there is a DIY to sorting the problem out that would also be helpful. Other info, the bike sounds very tingy like their is loose metal in the motor - i think.. Also it feels like I have lees power and when I put the throttle open it sounds like air is escaping the motor somewhere - again i think... I could be mistaken as to what these sounds actually mean

Here are the pics, thanks for any help


the oil (dry now and doesnt seem to be carrying on leaking) makes its way from the center of the enging at the bottom and leaks over to where is pictured..



As pictured this from the center of the engine under that oil thing, sorry best pic I could get

[mz_rider]

It is possible that the oil is leaking down from the cam cover. The rubber seal may need replacing or you could seal it with some silicone. This is simple to do.

Stuart

[rktmanfj]

It is possible that the oil is leaking down from the cam cover. The rubber seal may need replacing or you could seal it with some silicone. This is simple to do.

Stuart

I wouldn't use silicone on it... the cam cover seal (and bolt grommets) are neither expensive, nor difficult to change.

[FJTillDeath]

If it is that simple and cheap then it is good to know. I took the bike to the dealer I purchased it from (still under warranty by just a few miles ) and they said they would have to take it in for a day let the engine cool and then clean it to see where the oil was coming from, so I guess thats some good news...

Im glad that its simlple if it is just the seal that is worn. Just a quick question though. There are times when I dont actually let my bike fully warm up after starting it and then riding it - I never rev too hard, but could I still be damaging it? The engine is usually so cold that if i dont warm it up and just pull off that the bike will stutter at 2000rpm (even with WFO throttle) and I will have to use the clutch to get the bike to go to higher revs.

For interests sake, how expensive are gaskets to repair and what kind of damage will they do to the bike if not repaired?

[andyb]

Valve cover gasket is my second guess... Cam cover bolt gaskets (the ones that retain the valve cover) is my first guess.  Easy to see if that's it once you pop the tank off.

Use the choke and don't ride with excessive throttle openings nor high rpm until the oil warms up.  

Valve cover gaskets are pretty easy to replace, and not hugely expensive.  Randy's got the big one for $40 and the little ones for $2 each, you'll need $16 worth.

As far as damage from a leak?  It's messy at best.  At worst, oil gets on your tire and you slide under a car and die.  At middle of worst, you forget to check the oil, run the motor dry, and destroy the bottom end... then the motor locks up, you fall off, go under a car, and die.  Fix it.

[cyclenutk75]

I experienced a similar oil leak this spring.  Thought it was the valve cover gasket, but when I got the tank off found it to be the valve cover bolt gromets.  I replaced all the gromets and the gasket.  Figured if the gromets were dried up, so was the gasket.  $40 is a good price for the gasket.  I paid $69 on line, dealer wanted $99 .  Won't make that mistake again.

[Travis398]

 The OEM valve cover gaskets were pretty cheap a couple years ago, but now they are close to $100.

You may want to listen to andy and save your self a few bucks.

Randy's got the big one for $40

I agree with everyone one else, valve cover gasket and Cover bolt gaskets

[FJTillDeath]

I would love to use Randy's services but shipping to South Afrrica would probably cost me a shitload. The oil hasnt continued to leak - so far as I can see, but the bike is now sitting at the dealer who sold it to me, they are gonna have a look at it and fix it and since the bike is still under warranty they hopefully shouldnt charge me. It was something I wanted to do myself, but with having no time on my hands I am inveriably skrewed.

Still cant figure out what the noise is coming from the engine, the dealer reckons its probably the exhaust, so I have no clue this moment....

Thanks for the help, will keep everyone updated on what happens, unless as Andy said I end up under a car and die

[rktmanfj]

I would love to use Randy's services but shipping to South Afrrica would probably cost me a shitload. The oil hasnt continued to leak - so far as I can see, but the bike is now sitting at the dealer who sold it to me, they are gonna have a look at it and fix it and since the bike is still under warranty they hopefully shouldnt charge me. It was something I wanted to do myself, but with having no time on my hands I am inveriably skrewed.

Still cant figure out what the noise is coming from the engine, the dealer reckons its probably the exhaust, so I have no clue this moment....

Thanks for the help, will keep everyone updated on what happens, unless as Andy said I end up under a car and die

You got a warranty on a used bike that old?  What a deal!     

[FJTillDeath]

Ok so the dealer contacted me and told me that the exhauster header had a problem and the gasket there had blown and unfortunately that isnt covered by my garuntee and will cost me 850 rand to repair by welding. they said I should just get a new header... any thoughts?

[andyb]

850rand = $110 USD or so, for reference for the rest of us.

Up to you.  I'd get a custom made stainless header crafted by the very best in the business if money was no object, but it'd probably run somewhere near $6k (45,800rand).  What's available to you, what do you expect from the bike, etc?  And while we're at it, how the hell do you blow a gasket and require any welding to fix it?  I'd skip on that and then some.

Randy's shipped to hungary with some success.  A $40 gasket sent gives $60 worth of shipping cost before it becomes silly, assuming your dealer wants $100, y`know?  Depends on your dealers and your relationship with them.  (Read, how big of mercanary bloodsucking assholes they are.)

[racerrad8]

I would love to use Randy's services but shipping to South Afrrica would probably cost me a shitload.

You might be suprised, that is what Lotsokids thought too.

Randy - RPM

[racerrad8]

Ok so the dealer contacted me and told me that the exhauster header had a problem and the gasket there had blown and unfortunately that isnt covered by my garuntee and will cost me 850 rand to repair by welding. they said I should just get a new header... any thoughts?

Well, I am not sure if I am reading it properly, but if the header gasket is blown that will not cause an oil leak. There are limited sources of places to leak and you need to start at the top of the engine. The V/C Gasket & grommets are the highest selling item I sell.

From there you have the timing chain tensioner gasket at the back of the cylinder that can run forward and then the base gasket. I would say since the oil is leaking down low on the right side that oil passage dowel seals are fine.

Of course, as we have seen prior a member had a pinhole in the front of the timing chain kickout, but that was a pretty severe leak.

Sounds like it is time to check it out yourself as no matter what the problem might be it probably won't be "covered".

Randy - RPM

[Lotsokids]

Randy's shipped to hungary with some success.

I would love to use Randy's services but shipping to South Afrrica would probably cost me a shitload.

You might be suprised, that is what Lotsokids thought too.

Randy - RPM

Yes. I live in Hungary and the shipping cost is not bad at all. So far I've never been charged Hungarian VAT taxes or other charges, either. I get his parts to my doorstep in about a week. Go through the motions of ordering. Before you finalize, you can see the shipping rate for your address. Give it a try!

Randy - Doesn't that valve cover gasket come with a set of those small bolt grommets? I ended up with an extra set somehow.

[racerrad8]

Randy - Doesn't that valve cover gasket come with a set of those small bolt grommets? I ended up with an extra set somehow.

Nope, the gasket & bolt seals are seperate. When you ordered your V/C gasket you did not order bolt seals. I emailed you but did not hear back before I needed to ship. Based on your location and the delay  in shipping I took a chance you needed them and sent them as well and would charge you later.

But, I heard back from you the next day and you told me you had already replaced them, so you now have an extra set.

Randy - RPM