Need help with oil leak- please!

[Griff]

The rear cylinder on my '91 XL600v TA has developed an oil leak.
I am stuffed if I can pin point exactly where this is coming from. Have cleaned the engine and run it twice to try and find the source of the leak but to no avail.
So, today, I have removed all the fairing and the air duct to shed some light on the suspected spot in the middle of the "V". I thought the head gasket would be the issue but I'm not so sure now. There is oil above the head gasket and a bit on both cylinders. Could this be splatter? (for want of a better term.)
Is it possible the oil is coming from elsewhere.
Any suggestions on where or how to suss this one will be much appreciated.

Griff.

[Lutin]

Can you post up a picture or two to aid the diagnosis??

One other thing that you might want to try is talcum powder. No, seriously.

If you clean off the engine and make sure that it is dry, then give it a dusting of talc, you might get some idea as to where the oil is coming from as the talc will discolour from the oil.

Worth a shot.

[YEN_POWELL]

It's the rubber reusable gasket under the top cam cover. Both my RD07 Africa Twins have leaked from there, leaving an almost untraceable oil film over everything. The first one did it after I had the cam chains replaced. The 2nd after the engine was apart to have the output bearing replaced. Never seems to happen to the front cylinder which has the exact same large rubber gasket. Part number 5 seems to be the culprit on both of mine. Being a messy bugger I have ignored it for years.

[StumpyFingers]

It could be part number 10 in the above diagram.

[Griff]

Have just tried to take some photo's. the light is pant's. Will attempt again tomorrow for you.
Hope springs anew though. While taking said photo's had a quick look at part no's. 5 and 10. Cheesy, oily, crud coating engine cover just below part no. 10 on the front cylinder. Am hoping that hot oil goes furthe and wider than I expect.

Any idea where to get these gaskets from without going to local Honda parts??

Griff.

[Lutin]

Any idea where to get these gaskets from without going to local Honda parts??

Griff.

Either David Silver Spares or Wemoto should see you right.

[Griff]

Onya!

[StumpyFingers]

Have just tried to take some photo's. the light is pant's. Will attempt again tomorrow for you.
Hope springs anew though. While taking said photo's had a quick look at part no's. 5 and 10. Cheesy, oily, crud coating engine cover just below part no. 10 on the front cylinder. Am hoping that hot oil goes further and wider than I expect.

Any idea where to get these gaskets from without going to local Honda parts??

Griff.

Hot oil under pressure goes absolutely everywhere.
One of the service items is to check the condition of these rings, they do deform and lose elasticity.

[anton88]

I had same couple of years ago - was the rear cam cover gasket - i just degreased everything, and used a VERY fine bead of sealant around the gasket - smeared on by finger so no bits drop into the motor after its set and its never leaked since

[slipper40]

I had same couple of years ago - was the rear cam cover gasket - i just degreased everything, and used a VERY fine bead of sealant around the gasket - smeared on by finger so no bits drop into the motor after its set and its never leaked since

yeah you can't beat a bit of rtv engineering grade silicone. i did a very similar thing as Anton but on a ccm 644 base gasket i had it about 18 months and it never leaked once...........