OIL LEAKING from up in engine!!

[tonyk]

Hi Folk's,

and worried,

Got home late tonight after a 50 mile run through the hills in the p!$$!n rain, as I locked the bike up I noticed oil on top of the left side engine cover above gear selector,not a huge amount but considerable,

because it was so late and bad weather conditions,best I could figure out it apears to be comming from up in the engine above where (as far as i can see)the throtle cables / engine idle adjuster is,

any ideas what might be going on / wrong ?

any help or suggestions appriciated,

Thanks,

Tony K

[GSPD750]

Any oil leaking that high up in the engine could be coming from the valve covers or the head gaskets.
Valve covers will always sweat and weep oil over the years (see pic) but should never turn into a running leak.
Have you adjusted your valves lately..cover may not be seated properly?
Only way to be sure is to remove the tank and clean the suspected area with some kind of solvent and then run the engine at idle and check for leaks.

[tonyk]

Thanks for the reply,even more worried now ,

valves have not been adjusted at all.
the leak is more of a running leak, so !! will try your sugestion to remove tank and clean the area,

Thanks again

Tony K

[GSPD750]

Also check the air (filter) intake box for any signs of oil.
I would not worry too much.... just a little hicup.
The starter also has an oring where it seats into the case
and this could be a source.

[BobA]

Tony

All of what GSPD has said, plus you could also check one other thing.

There is a breather pipe with a plastic plug at it's lower end (atleast on the RD04 there is) that runs down the back of the engine, by the stand. This fills up with oil, condensation, gunge, and if it really is VERY full on your bike, any oil could be blowing back and coming out of the airbox/union.
Just take the plastic plug out of the pipe and let the gunge escape (NOT on your nice driveway though if you have one!!!)

Worth a check, but my money is on the rocker cover gasket.



Bob

[tonyk]

Thank's for responding,
last night I thought of the breather(2001 RDO7A) and I did as you sugested and empty'ed the gunge and water from the breather pipe,it was quite full with gunge and water,but I fear it might be more than this I cleaned the engine in as much as I could reach/see without taking fairings or tank off.

today I drove the bike for two short trips 5 miles each and when I got back could see very small amount of oil starting to build up on engine cover I hope to have a propper look tonight as GSPD750 sugested,
Is it possible that the valves could have been "un seated" as a result of the bike being droped / knocked over?? THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY and it's the only thing that I can think of thats happened since I noticed the problem.

Thanks again
any help/sugestions welcome.

Tony K

[Lam]

Thank's for responding,
last night I thought of the breather(2001 RDO7A) and I did as you sugested and empty'ed the gunge and water from the breather pipe,it was quite full with gunge and water,but I fear it might be more than this I cleaned the engine in as much as I could reach/see without taking fairings or tank off.

today I drove the bike for two short trips 5 miles each and when I got back could see very small amount of oil starting to build up on engine cover I hope to have a propper look tonight as GSPD750 sugested,
Is it possible that the valves could have been "un seated" as a result of the bike being droped / knocked over?? THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY and it's the only thing that I can think of thats happened since I noticed the problem.

Thanks again
any help/sugestions welcome.

Tony K

Hi Tony is this leak coming from the rear cylinder head,every early AT I,ve seen the rear has weeped because of the gasket.In fact mine has been like this for years just never got round to replacing it .

recently got a 650 and guess what surprise surprise it was weeping from the rear cylinder.

If it is this I,ve a spare gasket if you need it

[GSPD750]

Is it possible that the valves could have been "un seated" as a result of the bike being droped / knocked over?? THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY and it's the only thing that I can think of thats happened since I noticed the problem.
Tony K

No. The AT enjoys being dropped once in awhile. It's tuff...it can take a punch. Again, probably a valve cover or the smaller plate where you adjust the valves. On a side note..don't panic now...your antifreeze is clean right...and not milky?

[tonyk]

lads thanks again,
Lam ,I'm not 100% sure where the leak is comming from but seems to be the top front of engine above throtle cables behind the rad,didnt get chance to have a proper look tonight but will defo tomorrow evening,thanks for the offer ill keep it in mind and keep you posted.

GPSD750,it was all i could think tht might have caused the "un seating" will know more tomorrow,antifreeze is blue!dont think theres any mixng of liquids internaly or from outside in this is what had me worried,but latley only been useing the bike for short scoots to and from work only 4/5 miles each way so the problem didnt show up so much untill I had a slightly longer run!

cheers

Tony K

[tonyk]

Hi Lad's

Thanks for the help on this post ,I took the tank off,and as you can see from the attached pics,the oil seems to be comming from the top of engine where carbs are connected!!!also as suggested checked air box,there seems to be a small amount of oil made its way in there,the problem seem's to be on the left side only,washed everything down with carb/brake spray tightened everything up refit air box, and then noticed that a "breather pipe" marked in pic had also been disconected ,probley from when I first Tried to clean the oil that I first seen!would this have been the cause of the bigger "running"leak?