top of cylinder oil leak

[ChilliDrift]

I believe that, lots of disinformation out there in the oil world. After checking my plugs in the top of the cylinders I can see where they were sealed with high temp sealant before from the factory. the bike is in the garage and will likely be there for awhile.  Ive got some work ahead of me to get done on the Drifter. With Christmas comming up, tires and parts will likely have to wait for awhile.

[chief]

Greenbarn... that was a anti-synthetic charge made back in the early days of synthetic... its simply not true.

Here's some info you might find interesting...
http://www.texlube.com/oilmyths.htm

[greenbarn]

I'm not sure I buy the "synthetic oil leaks more" idea.  Has anybody else heard that?

I did some research on synthetics a couple years ago, and found nothing to make me think it should want to leak more then regular oil.  I use synthetic on my bike and all my small engines.  I'm not a "synthetic nut" though - most of my other stuff still gets regular oil.

[chief]

The SEARCH on here... way up at the top right... works pretty good. Give that a shot when you want to know something... may be its already been answered.

[ChilliDrift]

Thanks 45 Bravo.
I don't know how I missed your reply post. After typing the stuff below I realized that you gave me the fix. Probably a few too many shots of Bushmills that night and I mistakenly marked it read without getting it read. Thanks for your help.

Its only took me several months to realize I should look at the 1500 threads from when the website started. As Chief,Troll and the other guru's here have to re-answer questions. And since we all experience similar issues I looked and found another owner experiencing the same prob. And the fix is much easier than I expected. Compared to pulling the engine and replacing the head gaskets. I will try and remember I know nothing about what I'm doing in this dept. I shouldn't try and diagnose my or any other bikes issues in the engine dept. The answers are on this site. I just need to take the time to search them out. Again I thank you who help all of us keep our bikes on the road. And more money in our wallets.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html

[45 Bravo]

Chili, I just did the plug repair on my 99 1500 last month, it took less than an hour, and has been holding fine, the hardest part is getting it clean, and getting the gasket material in looking smooth.

Without doing the heads.

I am sure Chief will post the link if we ask him nicely.

HERE IT IS:   http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/plugrepair.html  But you can always find it yourself over on the accessories/mods/tips area of the web site!!<g>

Things needed for cleaning, Brake cleaner, paper towels, and curved hemostats.
spray the cleaner on the paper towel, not directly on the bike.

To apply the gasket sealant smoothly, I used a artist pallet knife (#4 in this photo)
it is the right shape, and offset at a good angle to get the silicone into the unseen places smoothly/evenly.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/piece-oil-painting-pallet-knife/dp/B004TRSUAW

45 Bravo

[ChilliDrift]

Thanks Roe. I will look into that.

[49Reo]

I am running Kaw synthetic in mine, no leaks (so far); it might be coming from the plugs on the heads as well; (located on the right side of rear head,above spark plug,left side of front head) hard to see as the valve cover hides most of it.) round, about the size of a half dollar piece. Seems like I read about that in the Mods/Tips section a while back.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[aralph]

Only the right side frame rail is removable. My buddy has a Nomad with the same issue and we thought great,
unbolt the frame rails and drop the engine. Then we realised just one side is removable.
Oh well, better then none.........
Will be working on this during the winter also.

Regards aralph

[ChilliDrift]

That is very interesting Sandra. It started after I switched to synthetic. I just figured it was from sitting for awhile. I've put 10k on it this summer and just figured it was failing with its new life again.  So I wonder if I am a wasting my efforts if I continue to run synthetic. I am curious what some of the other's have to say. Hoping Chief or Troll might have some input. I just assumed synthetic was the better way to go. Many thanks for your input.

[LadyDrifter]

I have the same issue---I was told by the guy servicing my bike the head gasket was the culprit , but that it could go for a while liek that as long as I didn't use synthetic oil...because synthetic tends to "look" for places to leak out of ...it's been fine so far (about 14,000 miles)...guess it would be nice to hear from you when you get yours all fixed up! in case you find something that isn't just the head-gasket...

Thanks!
Sandra

[ChilliDrift]

I,ve noticed I have a small amount of oil leaking from under the top cylinder cap front and back, no drips, just the oil film expanding across the cooling fins from top back right side and down.. I'm going to be replacing the gaskets I'm guessing and wondered what all else I should take care of while I've got the hamster wheel out if anything. Or any tips anyone might have would be greatly appreciated. Im really loving the way Kaw designed the frame. I was looking into what all was going to be involved. But the more work I do on this bike, the more I want to shake the hands of the designers. Granted my previous bikes were all repaired by someone else, so I really dont know for certain. But the lower side frame rails being designed to be removed was a really nice idea. I just love this bike.