SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1208289807

Message started by fcluck on 04/15/08 at 13:03:26

Title: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by fcluck on 04/15/08 at 13:03:26

hey all,

great forum!

i looked at a used '05 s40 this weekend with 10k miles. beautiful machine, loved the ride.

the only prob is that i noticed grimy oil on the engine fins, next to the exhaust pipe (see pic). is this the infamous head gasket oil leak? if so, does anyone know how much it should cost to have a mechanic fix the issue?

thanks for the great resource!
-j.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by fcluck on 04/15/08 at 13:03:41

here's the pic:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n234/spnva23/oilleak.jpg

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by rigidchop on 04/15/08 at 13:17:04

not head gasket, head plug. don't know what a mechanic would charge, did it myself.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by PerrydaSavage on 04/15/08 at 13:32:46

Hmmm?? Am suprized to see the infamous LS650 head plug leak on such a recent model S40 with only 10K on the clock? Wasn't Suzuki supposed to have replaced the original rubber plug with a better, redesigned plug starting with the 2002 model year? From what I understand, incidents of oil leakage at the head plug are much rarer in LS650 since 2002 ... is this actually the case?
Peculiar ...

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by Reelthing on 04/15/08 at 13:36:54

naw the betterhalf's '02 has started a little at 2k miles - the new plug is a better plug - solid more or less vs. a hollow cup - but the service manual still doesn't say to seal it and likely most shop do not do so at the 600 mile headbolt retorque

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/15/08 at 14:06:35

I wouldnt let that put me off the deal, but I would want the price lowered commensurate with the cost of the repair.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by demin on 04/15/08 at 14:12:26

I think when I bought my plugs they were 6-7 bucks each.You can do it yourself in about 4 hours + or -.use that as a bargaining chip to get the price down.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by verslagen1 on 04/15/08 at 14:15:04

A low cost shop gave me a price of $250 for a tune up when I 1st got the bike, they didn't see the bike and not sure if that would include head retorque. But that would be about 5/6 hours work, and that would be about right.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by fcluck on 04/15/08 at 14:26:36

wow, you guys really rock. almost instant and helpful replies, thank you very much.

i made a call to the local suzuki dealership and they said it would be about $250 ($180 labor & the rest "parts"). i know to you do-it-yourselfers that must seem totally ridiculous, especially the parts price. unfortunately i don't feel comfortable tinkering in that area of the bike myself. :)

thanks again!
-j.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by superior on 04/15/08 at 14:36:18

Labor is so expensive these days. I did my head plug fix myself, and it came out flawless. It's not really that hard to do, but if you decide (it sound like you already have) to get the dealership to do it, then at least your playing it 'safe'.

Good luck and Congrats on the new bike!

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by demin on 04/15/08 at 14:38:42

Depending on where you are there are a few wrenches on the site.The only problem with the stealership is they will put a new plug in probably without any sealer on it.And that's where you are now.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by superior on 04/15/08 at 14:43:28

43424A4E49270 wrote:

Depending on where you are there are a few wrenches on the site.The only problem with the stealership is they will put a new plug in probably without any sealer on it.And that's where you are now.

VERY GOOD POINT !!! ..... maybe it would be best to take it to an independent motorcycle repair shop and explain them to replace the plug with sealer on it. I would print out the posts and give it to the m-cycle tech.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by fcluck on 04/15/08 at 14:58:52

(yes, good point indeed.)

even though i don't think i would be brave enough to tinker with it, i was just wondering:
is the part that needs to be replaced #43 on this diagram?:
http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/46/Year/2005/ModelID/6193/Model/LS650_S40/GroupID/251177/Group/CYLINDER_HEAD

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by demin on 04/15/08 at 15:14:30

No,it's #12.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/15/08 at 15:28:23

The current owner May offer to have it done & then sell it. I wouldnt do that. He may have it done by some totally half a55ed kinda guy & you get the shaft. On top of that, IF you take it to a shop, it allows you the chance to start building a relationship with them. Also, maybe you can arrange to watch, by telling them you promise not to try to help or criticize, just want to learn, maybe offer to buy the mechanic a 6 pack. Once you see how it goes, then yoiu wont be so jumpy about grabbing a wrenchg. The 650 needs some TLC & if that means going to the shop, you will be missing lots of good riding time and spending more than the bike is worth in a few years of regular maintenance.

Title: Re: pre-purchase - noticed oil on engine
Post by Reelthing on 04/15/08 at 21:30:33

even if you have the shop do the work - make d@mn sure they coat the new rubber plug with high temp sealant - the book does not tell them to do this - so many leaks I believe are caused by the dealers at the first service - what happens is without sealant the rubber sticks to the head due to heat - when they pull it out to re-torque the head bolt under it part of the rubber sticks to the metal - after the re-torque they just poke it back in the hole - it's like a rubber stopper - at that point the plug is prone to leak - it's really a one time use plug when sealant is not used.