SuzukiSavage.com - BAd OiL LeAk HeLp

saabsaviur

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BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
12/08/05 at 13:45:52

mines a 96 with 13.5k miles, ok this afternoon i noticed a bunch of stuff splattered on my battery box and starter the leaks seems to be coming from the left side of the cylinder. is it a huge job to replace the cyl head gasket or cylinder gasket im sure its one of these items? has anyone tried automotive stop leak stuff in a bike? is my bike destend to be junk ort is this leak livable i didnt notice a drop in oil volume through window what is the tourge rating for the head bolts im going to try tightening those after reading some?

stole this pic from previus post same location of leak and about same amount as in pic

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torque Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline 2008 nightster,flat od green and black Posts: 748 rock hill,S.C. Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #1 - 12/08/05 at 14:17:02 it sure looks like the famous plug/cap leak,if it is theres thousands of posts covering that problem.
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saabsaviur Ex Member	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #2 - 12/08/05 at 14:20:59 ya going through post i think it may be the plug/cap leak is it a huge concern can i still ride and just keep a good eye on oil level and repair once snow starts falling steady or should i rack it and fix it asap
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torque Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline 2008 nightster,flat od green and black Posts: 748 rock hill,S.C. Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #3 - 12/08/05 at 15:17:26 u can ride it ,just watch the oil,i rode mine for a month before i fixed it,its not a hard job.
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Reelthing Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Fish or ride that is the question Posts: 5397 Houston,Tx Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #4 - 12/08/05 at 15:49:00 Not much doubt it - head cover plug leak - be sure and read all the post in the tech on it - some important tips and tricks (tdcc , small wrenches, bolt template)
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saabsaviur Ex Member	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #5 - 12/09/05 at 07:14:29 thanks ill clean engine and ensure area of leak then try to do the plug/seal
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slavy Serious Thumper Offline smart cars for stupid people Posts: 710 Phoenix, Arizona Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #6 - 12/09/05 at 07:19:56 Go in " Technical documents" and you will find the info on the second page. Once You are done, You will be a real owner of a '96 LS650
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Digger

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Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
Reply #7 - 12/09/05 at 09:15:24

HOLD EVERYTHING!

Before you dive into the cylinder head cover plug job, check the 12mm nut just below the exhaust pipe header (where the exhaust pipe exits the cylinder head at the front of the engine). If you see fresh oil hanging out on this nut, tighten it down to 16.5-19.5 ft-lbs.

I had the same leak a few months ago, tightening this nut slowed it way down.

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« Last Edit: 08/01/11 at 19:03:29 by Digger »

Digger
2001, Metallic Glacial Blue, Raptor Petcock, Verslavy (first hole) (otherwise, mechanically, the bike is stock), 13,xxx miles
I don't own a cage.
www.astronautbiker.com

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Ed L. Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline "We All go a Little Crazy Sometimes" Norman Bates Posts: 2808 Sunny Florida Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #8 - 12/09/05 at 11:37:17 If you are planning on tightening the head bolts be carefull, they will snap even at recomended torque. Don't overtighten them. I'll vote for a bad plug/cap oil leak from the looks of it.
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rokrover

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torkenstein

Posts: 147
SoCal

Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
Reply #9 - 12/09/05 at 12:27:54

Ed L. wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

If you are planning on tightening the head bolts be carefull, they will snap even at recomended torque. Don't overtighten them. I'll vote for a bad plug/cap oil leak from the looks of it.

I've read about the head COVER bolts snapping occasionally, especially if you forget to relieve camshaft / valve spring tension at TDC before loosening them. But the main HEAD bolts? These are supposed to be retorqued at 600mi and then every 4K or so. The only head bolts I've heard to be careful with are the TTY (torque to yield) type that should never be reused but have the advantage of holding more consistent clamping pressure. My impression is that the LS650 motor doesn't use these but I may be wrong (will check the factory service manual when it comes in).

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Ed L. Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline "We All go a Little Crazy Sometimes" Norman Bates Posts: 2808 Sunny Florida Gender:	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #10 - 12/09/05 at 13:33:10 I think you are right about the head cover bolts breaking, not the head bolts, my oops
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saabsaviur Ex Member	Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp Reply #11 - 12/09/05 at 14:10:18 im confused so can i tighten the little bolt behinf the header without huge fear of snapping it also i noticed what i thought was a leak on the bolt that is in that little pocket in center front of engine
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Digger

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Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
Reply #12 - 12/09/05 at 14:37:34

saabsaviur wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

im confused so can i tighten the little bolt behinf the header without huge fear of snapping it also i noticed what i thought was a leak on the bolt that is in that little pocket in center front of engine

The bolt I was referring to was the one below the exhaust header. It is in the center of the front part of the engine. There is a stud that is pointed downward and there is a 12mm nut on the stud that you may need to tighten.

I hope this helps.

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Digger
2001, Metallic Glacial Blue, Raptor Petcock, Verslavy (first hole) (otherwise, mechanically, the bike is stock), 13,xxx miles
I don't own a cage.
www.astronautbiker.com

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Savage_Greg

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Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
Reply #13 - 12/11/05 at 08:04:58

I have reused the the head cover bolts several times, but it does seem that too much can be a problem. The best thing is to always use a torque wrench, regardless.

Another tip would be to be certain to remove (as best as possible) any debris from inside the bolt holes before reassembly. Poke a little allen wrench or something inside each hole to remove oil. if you have an air source, then blow them out too. I think that it is quite possible that some oil silicone sealer rubber can get into the holes which may affect the torque on the bolt.

Either way, this is how a broken head cover bolt looks....try to avoid this Cheesy

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Digger

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Ya gotta be tough to
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Re: BAd OiL LeAk HeLp
Reply #14 - 12/12/05 at 11:35:06

saabsaviur wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:

im confused so can i tighten the little bolt behinf the header without huge fear of snapping it also i noticed what i thought was a leak on the bolt that is in that little pocket in center front of engine

Saab, buddy, here is a good trick to find the source of any oil leak:

Clean the area good. One thing that works for me is one of those engine degreaser sprays. You spray it on, let it soak and maybe brush the really dirty spots, then wash it off with a hose. You should have a nice clean engine now.

Next, get you some jock itch spray (Cruex is my personal favorite - it smells so nice, it reminds me of my Mommy). Spray some on your engine anyplace where you think the oil may be leaking out. The spray will coat the area with a fine white powder.

Start the bike up. Look where you sprayed. If you see some brown areas developing, you have just found where the oil leak is. If you can't see it right away, ride the bike for ten minutes or so, then check again.

Happy hunting!

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Digger
2001, Metallic Glacial Blue, Raptor Petcock, Verslavy (first hole) (otherwise, mechanically, the bike is stock), 13,xxx miles
I don't own a cage.
www.astronautbiker.com

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