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I have an obvious oil leak coming out of the back of the engine, at the base of the head. It was a new head gasket I put on there. Will I have to pull the head to fix, or could it be loose head nuts?
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1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights. -
Try retorqueing the head nuts, if that doesn't do it the head will have to come off...
Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two
'78E original owner - resto project
'78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
'82 XJ rebuild project
'80SG restified, red SOLD
'79F parts...
'81H more parts...
Other current bikes:
'93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
'86 XL883/1200 Chopper
'82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone... -
If it's leaking around that one stud that's in the cam chain tunnel be very careful tightening it so you don't crack the head or the cylinders.
Also, I may have told you this before but check the banjo bolt for the oil transfer tube and be sure it's tight and not leaking. I've chased a leak from that on another bike before.Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.
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Hey Greg- It was my hope that it was the banjo bolt, but it looks like it is coming straight from the crack there at the head/cylinder, right in the middle of that tube.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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Like I said, be VERY careful tightening that nut there. I've seen a few of those break like I said.Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Hmm. Thanks for the heads-up Greg. I've been known to lack common-sense when it comes to tightening bolts on the bike.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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Common sense, or a torque wrench?Originally posted by IanDMacDonald View Post
Harbor Freight has an Oriental made wrench that works well on these Oriental bikes.
CZComment
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That particular nut is pretty much impossible to get a torque wrench on CZ. Especially with the engine in the bikeGreg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Hey Ian,Originally posted by IanDMacDonald View Post
Also check the valve cover gasket/bolts. There are vents/openings in the head for cooling and oil from the cover can leak down INSIDE the head/plug well and then leak out the back and look like it's coming from the head gasket area. JAT!?
T.C.T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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Well, I got a better look at the leak, and it shows dark at the seam about four inches long, directly below the oil pipe at the base gasket seam. I tried tightening down the head bolts, and they did not want to tighten anymore without cracking something. Hmm . . .1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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So, is it the base gasket leaking?Originally posted by IanDMacDonald View PostGreg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Hey Ian,
Okay, then if it is the base gasket leaking, that is a NO/Low pressure type interface between the head/jugs and engine case. Instead of tearing the bike apart, folks have just thoroughly cleaned away the oil with thorough degreaser type cleaners, and then applied a nice bead of silicone/RTV type sealant along the seam, either clear or black depending on the jugs color, and it has kept it clean. YMMV.
T.C.T. C. Gresham
81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
History shows again and again,
How nature points out the folly of men!Comment
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Greg- Looks like it.
TC- Thanks for that. Makes me feel better, as I was not too interested in pulling the head again.1979 XS1100F
2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.Comment
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XJOK2PLAY had that issue with his XJ. I think he used some kind of epoxy there because the silicone would was off.
I'll see if I can get ahold of him.Greg
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.
The list changes.Comment
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Hey, Greg just now told me about your leak.
Mine was leaking around the base gasket, center, rear.
Right in that area, there's an outward notch.
What we discovered is, the type and quality of the gasket that's used is CRITICAL.
Mine leaked badly when I first bought it.
Before I ever rode it, Cody, TRbig, Bohn, and I tore it completely down, did the 2nd gear fix, and we replaced the main bearings, valve seals, and a new base gasket... A green one from a kit Cody had left over from 'Zilla.
Those kit gaskets SUCK!
If you order just the base gasket from Yamaha, it's like almost the same price just for that one as the entire kit, so most buy the kit. Take it from me... don't!
Pay the extra, if you go that route.
HOWEVER... this is what I did, and it works.
Thoroughly clean that entire area back there... Brake cleaner works well. Not carb cleaner! Once it's clean enough to eat off of, use high temp silicone, and cover that area good!
Then, walk away... For 2 days. Let it dry thoroughly. Do not start the bike during this period.
After that, you should be good to go for about 20k miles or so.
Starts leaking again, repeat.
Cheap, easy, fast. And I believe it's a common problem to the XJ, cause the XS head's made differently in that area. They don't notch out like that.
And hey, it's back up in there, not very noticeable. So the RTV glob's pretty hidden.
Saves having to pull the motor apart!
Worked for me.'82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)
'79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby....
(Sold back to Maximan)
2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS
In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
"What we have here is a failure to communicate."Comment
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