Leakage

[grumpin]

Hello, finally got my bike out with some nice weather! I have an oil leak and I think it is coming from the cam chain tensioner. I searched the forums here and someone (unregistered) said they sealed (gobbed, I think was the word) the tensioner. Can you do that without removing it? And can you remove it without changing anything? And of course is there another place it could be coming from that is common in that area? It's pooling right under the tensioner.

[carl leo]

there is an oil line on top of the crankcase, check to see if this is where the leak originates. clean the area and spray powder deodorant on the case, start the engine and the origion of the leak will be evident. the tensioner has an O ring but you will have to remove it and reset it to replace the ring......

[grumpin]

Thanks Carl! I was just out cleaning up the oil. I will try to ride tomorrow and see what I can. I think, after looking and wiping, I may have a banjo fitting leaking by the rear brake pedal also.

[grumpin]

Got out and rode today. Not lucky enough to be a banjo fitting! It's coming from the valve cover gasket. I believe Kawi calls it the cylinder block cover. Looks like I'll have to pull the fairing to change this gasket.

[bikerking.biz]

Maybe just a simple re-torqueing will stop your leak.

[grumpin]

Good point! I'll check. Thanks.

[Mr Jensee]

I found a company many years ago that used to make silicone valve cover gaskets. I bought it and used in an old GS Suzuki I was refurbing. It worked great. Never leaked and was reusable when the valve cover was in need of removing for shim work. I will try to find out the name and if they are still in business.
**Well unfortunately, the company though it is still in business, does NOT make any Kawasaki gaskets. My first impulse was WHATS UP WITH THAT?? The company is called Realgaskets.com. If you want to do search and see if they have any updated info.

[cushman eagle]

It is interesting,Mr Jensee,that you experienced Realgaskets during your GS days.I always dreaded the yearly valve adjustments on my GS1100GK, because I almost always had a valve cover leak ,until I discovered Realgaskets.

[Mr Jensee]

It was a great idea, just wish they expanded their list of gaskets!

[grumpin]

Thanks. Haven't had a chance to do anything yet, well, did get the dummy tank, airbox and battery and tray out. Not much room, I don't know how much it will help removing the fairing. I think I will clean it up real good, loosen the bolts that hold the two halves together, and do a retorque as bikerking suggested then tighten the center bolts and see what happens with some powder as Carl suggested.

[grumpin]

Well,had an interesting time with this oil leak. Decided it was too dirty on top of the engine. Used some cleaner and rinsed real well with 3 buckets of water. Loosened the eight bolts for the cover, and four of five center bolts. Torqued everything back down. First time I ran it I thought I had a head gasket leak, the Gene K informed me of the drain holes for the spark plugs. OK, got over that hissy fit. Ran again, no leaks, but thought it would leak when I rode it as that's how it showed up before. Waited for better weather, got out today and rode 100 miles, stopped three times to check and it's dry! Wow! am I grateful!

[grumpin]

Maybe just a simple re-torqueing will stop your leak.

Oh...and thanks to bikerking!

[bikerking.biz]

Maybe just a simple re-torqueing will stop your leak.

Oh...and thanks to bikerking!

You're quite welcome- glad that fixed the problem!