Cam Shaft oil leaks

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groupus
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Cam Shaft oil leaks

#1

Post by groupus »

I have replaced the cam shaft, crank shaft, valve cover bolts, and valve cover seals on my '78 and '79 wings, and both continue to leak. On the side stand, it drips under the left side valve cover. On the center stand, it drips straight down from what appears to be the front/front left cam shaft seals. I don't remember if I used OEM seals. I did not use silicone or anything when installing, but I don't think that is required. It has been several years and they both drip slightly. The '79 has a larger leak from the neutral indicator switch, which I have not been able to solve with a new o-ring. It's not major, but it is annoying. I end up with oil on my shoes, pants, and oil blown all over the saddle bags on the full tourer. This is a Honda, not a Harley!
I'm tempted to put half a bottle of stop leak in to seal up any small leaks, but I don't want to clog any of the tiny oil passages. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

every now and then, when things are not going to well in the shop, i ask myself why i do it. and the answer is that riding is good....but time in the shop is also good. - CYBORG

78 gl1000 cafe build: http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51461

79 full fairing - current status: Haunted http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60334
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#2

Post by chewy999 »

I had an issue with the crankshaft seal. I always use oem or genuine seals, but this time I had to fit a sleeve as well. Still leaked a little, so last resort was to fill the engine with a thicker oil (10/40). Touch wood all is well now!

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Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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groupus
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#3

Post by groupus »

I was just reading up on your sleeving job. Very well done, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I use rotella 15w40 now. Switching weights would be the easiest solution to try.
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

every now and then, when things are not going to well in the shop, i ask myself why i do it. and the answer is that riding is good....but time in the shop is also good. - CYBORG

78 gl1000 cafe build: http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51461

79 full fairing - current status: Haunted http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60334
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#4

Post by hatchward »

The left side valve cover leaks on my 1100.Cyborg recommended "elephant snot" for valve cover gasket leaks.Another recommendation was Honda bond.Elephants are in short supply up here in Canada so Honda bond it is.Haven't tried it yet,riding to work everyday and too lazy on weekends.
1982 GL1100 Std - Daily Driver
1982 GS750SZ Katana - Mostly Unmolested
1998 Valkyrie - Latest Aquisition
1984 GL1200 Aspencade - Undecided Project
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chewy999
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#5

Post by chewy999 »

groupus wrote:I was just reading up on your sleeving job. Very well done, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I use rotella 15w40 now. Switching weights would be the easiest solution to try.
A mechanic mate advised me to use a thicker oil as back in the day when our bikes were new, oils weren't as advanced as they are now, so gave it a go and all is good so far, without tempting fate! The Castrol website advised their 10/30 super dooper oil. Think 15/40 is good enough!

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Oldewing
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#6

Post by Oldewing »

On pesky valve covers that I can't get to seal dry and the gasket's and bolt grommets are good. I put a dap of (what ever is your fav) goo in each corner and replace. Silicone is my go to here (cause it's in the tool box already)....
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
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Other times we just hug.......

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Sandy
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#7

Post by Sandy »

One thing I do with the thought of caring for old seals on the 76's is that when storing the bikes for the winter (4 months +), I fill the crank case to the brime using regular 3.7 Lt of Rotella 15-40 and then 5 liters of ATF. During the storage time, I regularly crank (maybe once a week) the motors over until the oil pressure light goes out which circulates the oil. It is my theory that the engine and most of its moving parts and seals, including the clutch mechanism, get covered with the mixture that has a seal swell component. Drain the mixture in the spring and do the regular oil change and filter. To date I haven't had a reason to change my routine.
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groupus
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#8

Post by groupus »

I removed the timing belt cover and there is a thin layer of oil dusted all around in there. From what I remember when I got the bikes, it was bone dry under those covers. There is definitely an oil drip by the left cam seal; I'm not sure about the crank seal. There is also oil blown all over the front of the engine that I cleaned off with some simple green and a hose - which works amazing, btw. How much of this is normal? Would anyone recommend for or against a stop-leak product?
I will try a thicker oil when I do an oil change. I will also give the valve cover seals some snot of sorts when I take them off to do the valve lash. I'm a high school teacher, so I'm soon to have lots of shop time!
Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death. ~Hunter Thompson

every now and then, when things are not going to well in the shop, i ask myself why i do it. and the answer is that riding is good....but time in the shop is also good. - CYBORG

78 gl1000 cafe build: http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=51461

79 full fairing - current status: Haunted http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=60334
User avatar
chewy999
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Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#9

Post by chewy999 »

Wouldn't recommend any additives that claim to stop leaks, get the correct seal and fit it! At a push put some sealer on the outer side of the seal but obviously not on the actual sealing surfaces.
When I was having problems with my crankshaft seal, I removed the radiator, and fitted a length of hose to where the lower rad hose fits, fill the hose with water and connect to where the top radiator hose fits. That way you can start the engine up, for a short time, and have a good view of the belts, hopefully any leaks will show up. Another bizzar thing I did to check if it was the sealing surface leaking or not at the crankshaft, which is hidden by the cog, was to remove the belts and cog, and dust the crsnkshaft area with baby powder. Put the belts back on, fire her up and when it leaked again., took it all off again and the powder showed where the leak came from!
In the end, had to put a sleeve on the crankshaft, but no leaks now. (So far)

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
User avatar
chewy999
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3214
Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:21 am
Location: Haddenham, Cambs, UK

Re: Cam Shaft oil leaks

#10

Post by chewy999 »

Found a picture of my temporary radiator!
20170124_151630.jpg
20170124_151630.jpg (77.24 KiB) Viewed 139 times
anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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