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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap leak?
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Message started by Zonablazer on 11/28/15 at 10:11:23

Title: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap leak?
Post by Zonablazer on 11/28/15 at 10:11:23

Hey all...been having a leak lately and by the way it's leaking it appears to be the ole headcover plug. I just wanted to post some pics any get a few sets of eyes on it. If so it looks like vergslagen1 might be getting some money from me. ;D

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/908/kKroEO.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/p8kKroEOj)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/908/pC2Qyn.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/p8pC2Qynj)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/908/g3XheT.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/p8g3XheTj)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/911/vJzoFr.jpg (http://imageshack.com/f/pbvJzoFrj)

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by verslagen1 on 11/28/15 at 11:53:56

I don't have access to your private account.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Zonablazer on 11/28/15 at 13:47:25

Updated with images and links to larger pictures. Sorry about that Verslagen :(

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by verslagen1 on 11/28/15 at 14:03:44

1st thought is no, not enough oil on the sparkplug deck.
I'd remove clean and replace with a dab of rtv under the washer of that forward underside nut.
or clean and go for a ride an reassess.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by DesertRat on 11/29/15 at 10:10:08

I had the same leak. cleaned the area and tighten the nut over several run cycles (ride around park let cool down repeat) and now no more leak.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Zonablazer on 11/29/15 at 14:21:42

I took it off cleaned and added a little rtv to it and tightened it down. I took it for a 20 min ride to get gas and no leak. I'll keep monitoring it and let everyone know if it revisits.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by DesertRat on 11/29/15 at 17:55:44

keep checking it a few times, hand tighten as necessary

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Dave on 11/30/15 at 03:44:52

765741574046605346320 wrote:

keep checking it a few times, hand tighten as necessary

I wouldn't tighten it again....as it will disrupt the sealer after it hardens. If you used a RTV type sealer it should help to keep the nut from loosening. If you find that you need to tighten it again....you will have to take the nut off and clean the hardened sealer off the stud, cylinder and nut before you apply new sealer.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Zonablazer on 12/03/15 at 07:31:40

So I've been riding it for a couple of days and the leak returned. At this point I'm not sure if the headgasket is leaking or if its the plug. I'm seeing oil come out of the area in the picture below. I've confirmed that I'm not getting oil into the exhaust system. At this point I believe its most likely the plug.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Zonablazer on 12/10/15 at 14:18:23

So it's started to leak again and I'm starting to believe that its the cylinder head gasket....anyone know what the complexity of replacing that gasket is...there are posts all over the forum about replacing the plug but what about the cylinder head and head gaskets.

Title: Re: Does this look like another dreaded plug/cap l
Post by Dave on 12/11/15 at 04:11:23

If your rubber head plug has never been replaced.....that is the first place to check, and most likely where the leak is coming from. The place where you have your red arrow is exactly under the rubber head plug. It is a little bit challenging to replace the first time, and between reading how to do it in the Clymer manual or the tech section, I would count on spending all day doing it - the second time you do it you should be able to get it done in 4 hours. There are a lot of parts that need to be cleaned up during the process - and that takes a good bit of time. You need a good quality RTV sealant and I would recommend buying the SuzukiBond, Yamabond, Hondabond....it sets up far slower than the gasket maker you buy at the local hardware store and give you more time to work.

Buy the replacement head plug from Verslagen....and you won't ever need to repair the plug again.

Replacing a head gasket is a major pain....because the cylinder head studs are so long you need to take the engine out of the frame. The exhaust system, carb, footpegs, etc. all has to come off the bike. Also the cam has to come out so the cam chain can be released....so you will have to take stuff off the right side of the engine.