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Ben, It looks like the head gasket. You might want to check the compression on #1 there and see if it's dropped any. (or at least see if it's lower than the other 3)
That might show if the gasket has failed at the piston area and not just the oil area.
When my head gasket blew, it was blowing out exhuast gasses out between the head and cylinders. It was quite noticeable.
As you can see the gasket failed between #1 & #2
Though, I don't remember there being any oil passages on the outer sides of the cylinders, so maybe your leak is from the front and it's getting blown around the left side.
Hi, my name is George & I'm a twisty addict!
80G (Green paint(PO idea)) The Green Monster
K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, '81 oil cooler, TC's homemade 4-2 w/Mac Mufflers, Raptor 660 ACCT
Got him in '04. bald tire & borrowing parts
80SG (Black w/red emblems & calipers) Scarlet
K&N A/F, TC's fuse block, WJ5, Shoei bags, Raptor 660 ACCT.
Got her in '11 Ready for the twisties!
81H (previously CPMaynard's) Hugo
Full Venturer, Indigo Blue with B/W painted tank. Cold weather ride
More than likely the valve cover gasket or the oil transfer tube is leaking an blowing around the engine on the finns. A head gasket wouldn't blow oil.
When the oil transfer tube gasket was leaking at the back of the head on RockinD's bike the oil ran around the head and looked almost like it was coming out of the #1 exhaust port. A valve cover gasket will do the same thing if it's leaking in around the spark plug wells. It'll leak out the water drain holes and look like it's coming out the head gasket or exhaust.
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.
Yeah, I would go around and make sure nothing loosened, check the torque on the valve cover, head nuts and chain tensioner. BTW, it has the auto chain tensioner.
You sure its from you? Could have run into something? Does it taste like maple syrup?
That leak is probably coming from the valve cover and just blowing around and collecting down there. I'd clean it off with some brake cleaner and a rag and check around the valve cover for leaks. It also might be leaking from the metal oil tube that feeds oil to the head.
ACCT area is greasy but its dry compared to the gasket area
no tubes or hoses off or leaking
Dang Ben, Wash that thing!
The nastiest mess is right there around the tensioner, clean that up and keep an eye on that.
And change those old rusty plugs! I wonder how long those have been in there.
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.
Springtime tuneup will ensue next week after paycheck arrives...will check and torque the head bolts and will change oil and filter...and clean up engine grime... replace those rusty plugs or clean them up too... I'm not much on cleaning things...i ride it as long as all the fluids stay where they're supposed to...this bike is not a museum piece its gets ridden daily
BTW whats the best way to clean that grime out of the ACCT area? would a can of brake cleaner be ok? I have checked carefully and no oil is running from the ACCT to the area where i see the gasket leak
Springtime tuneup will ensue next week after paycheck arrives...will check and torque the head bolts and will change oil and filter...and clean up engine grime... replace those rusty plugs or clean them up too... I'm not much on cleaning things...i ride it as long as all the fluids stay where they're supposed to...this bike is not a museum piece its gets ridden daily
BTW whats the best way to clean that grime out of the ACCT area? would a can of brake cleaner be ok? I have checked carefully and no oil is running from the ACCT to the area where i see the gasket leak
You know, ben, that greasy stuff on the front may be residual. I couldn't get all of it out, didn't have the facilities in my little apartment. Why don't you simple green / engine degreaser / power wash it.
Don't use brake cleaner, it will dissolve the paint. The engine has a coat of high-heat aluminum on it.
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