Mystery oil leaks

shrugger · May 29, 2011

Just got it out and ran it about 11 miles. This is what I found.
On the left side its clean oil. Likely a feed tube loose or cracked. Its all over the ignition, Carb,spark plug
and some on the front Iso mount. I expect replacing the tired old hoses will correct this.

Now this side concerns me. I've got Black oil here. Seems to be centered around the exhaust Nut.
You can see it splatered the side cover. I have a feeling this might be more serious.
Thoughts?

Hobot · May 29, 2011

First place I'd look now seeing that oil pattern would be the fork seals. Then obvious oil leak locations then porous-cracked head. Rocker covers and rocker spindle covers most notorious sites.

Hobot · May 29, 2011

Could be both a head and fork leak at once of course.

shrugger · May 29, 2011

hmm, forks appear to be fine. Seals probly near needing replaced, but no major oil anywhere there.
Rocker covers have the newer red seals and bone dry. Could be spindles.
Its also blowing smoke out the right side pipe. I was thinking rings. Now I Hope its not a bad head.

speirmoor · May 29, 2011

Have you installed new rocker gaskets? Sometimes oil pools up on the inside like a dam and will drip on the exhaust making smoke.

DogT · May 29, 2011

I have spare Nylon 11 tubing if you need some, cheap. Looks like some serious leaks to me and usually the rocker covers will show it right below them real quick.

Dave
69S

Torontonian · May 30, 2011

Visually I would say pull the head . After eliminating other possibilities first of course. If the head gasket is oily near the exhaust area then there U have it. I am concerned about the choice of HT leads from stock coils too. Suppressor type ?

WEAL Norton · May 30, 2011

If the RH plug is not sooty its not the valve guide clearance or rings that cause it to blow smoke - its a lose exhaust guide running up and down with the valve. Pull the head and have an oversized guide fitted.

Regards

shrugger · May 30, 2011

Yes it has what looks to be an early Boyer EI.

Diablouph · May 30, 2011

Can't you just clean it up, fire it up and sit there and watch?

Hobot · May 30, 2011

Cleaned dry and dusted with baby power is traditional way to find clean oil leaks.

http://www.denlorstools.com/autoblog/20 ... -car-blog/

Diablouph · May 30, 2011

I like it Hobot, and it will give my bike a kissin fresh bottom.

Hobot · May 30, 2011

Don't kiss it till its dippers are clean. Fresh could mean more than one thing : (
The oil spray patterns remind me of head gasket failures that are undetectable
at low rpm unloaded inspection, till it flaps its lid with enough oil flow to mess its drawers. There are florescent washable staining powder and liquids too.

Mystery oil leaks

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