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oil leak

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by hendo68, Apr 20, 2012.

  1. hendo68

    hendo68 Member

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    i have a 1983 xj-750 maxim, it seems to have developed an oil leak on the right front corner where the head gasket is. i have replaced the valve cover gasket and the donuts, no oil from up there. are there any other gaskets at the head/cylinder area that could be leaking and migrating to this area?
     
    hendo68, Apr 20, 2012
    #1
  2. tskaz

    tskaz Active Member

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    Short answer: No.

    The only gaskets that could are the head gasket and the valve cover gasket.

    Have you cleaned the motor and checked for the leak again?
     
    tskaz, Apr 20, 2012
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  3. hendo68

    hendo68 Member

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    not yet will be doing that on sunday, thanks
     
    hendo68, Apr 20, 2012
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  4. midnightmoose

    midnightmoose Member

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    Might want to check the cam chain tensioner. Its been known to leak and run down thru the head and appear to be the head gasket. Much easier than head gasket too.
     
    midnightmoose, Apr 20, 2012
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  5. hendo68

    hendo68 Member

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    cleaned it all off with hot soapy water then brake clean, started engine after about 2min i could see oil seeping from the right rear of the cylinder head gasket. i checked the cam tensioner it is not leaking. Can the head gasket be replaced without pulling the cylinders?
     
    hendo68, Apr 22, 2012
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  6. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Head gasket, or valve cover gasket?

    The only (oil leak related) reason to pull the cylinders would be a base gasket leak.

    A head gasket leak would require pulling the head, not the cylinders.

    You sure it's not just the valve cover gasket?
     
    bigfitz52, Apr 22, 2012
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  7. wwj750

    wwj750 Member

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    The head gasket can be replaced with the motor in the frame, buts its easier & better to do with the motor out. How many miles on your bike, cuz as long as the head is coming off you might want to go the extra mile & do a top-end job (valve job & rings).
     
    wwj750, Apr 22, 2012
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  8. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    Shoot a pic or two with your finger pointed at the location of the leak, should clear up any confusion.
     
    Maxim-X, Apr 22, 2012
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  9. hendo68

    hendo68 Member

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    replaced valve cover gasket and donuts last fall, when i cleaned it all this morning i could watch the oil seeping from the cylinder head gasket, bike has 20k miles on it. i have attached a pic, the pen is pointed where i see the oil coming out. link to picture http://imgur.com/m6wOM
     
    hendo68, Apr 22, 2012
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  10. wwj750

    wwj750 Member

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    hendo-if thats where the oil leak is, its a cylinder head gasket for sure. At 20k I'd go for the top end rebuild. just my .02 cents.
     
    wwj750, Apr 22, 2012
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