Engin Oil Leak

[OzzieinXS]

My 78E has an oil leak at the front of the engine. Located at the gasket between the cylinder assembly and the upper crankcase, directly under the camchain tensioner. Someone preious had "bogged" it up with resin, which I've removed. The engine has (supposidly) been rebuilt 5000km ago
I assume the engine will have to come out to repair this properly or
Q: Can the head and cylinders be removed on bike (dont think so)? Is this a really big job and anything I should look out for?
Any suggestions or advice appreciated.

David 78E

[webbcraft2150]

Ya might want to make real sure its the base gasket and not the tensioner leaking. Base gasket is a big job to fix, chain tensioner gasket/seal isn't. And yes, head and cylinder will come of the engine with it in the bike.

[Ken Talbot]

It would be very rare to actually have a base gasket leak. More likely, you've got a leaky cam cover gasket. Oil seeps out in the inner part of the "H" shape, then finds its way down to a place where it can collect like the spot you're seeing. Check out this thread for a description of the baby powder technique.

[Hired_Goon]

I'll have a guess at where the leak is as I have one in the same area.

Just above the tensioner is a bolt that holds the head to the cylinders at the base of the cam chain gallery.

That tab that sticks out at the top of the head is cracked through. Very fine crack but anough to let out a lot of oil.

Looks like someone overtightened the bolt. Mines got devcon aluminium putty on it at the moment as I don't want to replace the bore at the moment.

Requires removal. Hoping I can just get it welded up later if aI have to do any head work.
HG

[OzzieinXS]

Engine Leak

OK, thanks for the imput. I'll definately try the power trick and I'll look at these other areas suggested.
After removing the resin, (which covered the "1101cc" located under the camchain tensioner) I washed the front of the engine with Kerosine and dried. Started the bike and sat and watched with a worklight. Within seconds oil was running down from below the "1101cc" initials, looked like the base gasket to me. The camchain tensioner was leaking but fixed that a few months ago.
Well at least I dont have to removed the donk.
Thanks
David
78E

[webbcraft2150]

Another variation to the baby powder trick is to use spray powder type deodorant. Makes less of a mess and sticks good. Just make sure you rinse it off when your done, otherwise you get that "baby powder fresh" smell rising of your hot engine at the stoplights. Kinda blows the macho biker image.

[prometheus578]

"Why do I have to be so special?"

It would be very rare to actually have a base gasket leak.

Sustained, high speed cruisin' gives me a small puddle under the carbs, from the base gasket.

That tab that sticks out at the top of the head is cracked through. Very fine crack but enough to let out a lot of oil.

Oh yeah... got that one, too!
And from another post... I gots da leaky Neutral switch, as well.