G5 Right Side Oil Leak, Base Gasket?

[Antiquar]

I've been working on a project G5. Last night I was toying with jetting and took the bike for a freeway ride. The bike was running alright so I wound it up pretty good.

As I pull off the freeway I notice an alarming volume of smoke rising from the bike. I park the bike as soon as I can for inspection. The right side of both the engine and transmission (and my boot) is covered in oil--a substantial amount.

The rocker cover is seeping slightly but was mostly dry. The cylinder head gasket seemed bone dry. So that leaves either the distributor or the cylinder base gasket. I doubt a distributor leak could pump out this much oil, and I did replace the cylinder base/head gaskets and o-rings recently, so that points to the base gasket. I've retorqued the head about three times since installing the new gaskets.

I'll be replacing the cylinder/head gaskets again now, but wanted to get some insight into why this happened.

I did not grease or ThreeBond the base gasket--should I? I suppose the breather box could not be clogged or otherwise malfunctioning--is there a good way to test? It will be a bear to remove it from the bike, any tricks?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Have you replaced the oil supply line to the heads? If that were to leak in the "right" place, it could make the mess you describe.

I don't use any sealer on base or head gaskets.

[Antiquar]

Have you replaced the oil supply line to the heads? If that were to leak in the "right" place, it could make the mess you describe.

I don't use any sealer on base or head gaskets.

I did replace that line. It's dry. In fact the entire front of the cylinder and engine seem relatively dry. Hmm.

[Groover]

Could it be coming from the oil seal in the front of the engine? (behind the rotor) - Same one Charlie dealt with a few weeks ago.

[Antiquar]

Could it be coming from the oil seal in the front of the engine? (behind the rotor) - Same one Charlie dealt with a few weeks ago.

I don't think so. Didn't see much oil coming from the front. Will double check when I have time to check out the bike again.

So frustrating to be so close to "finishing" a project bike (even just got it titled!), and then it starts to vomit oil.

[Two Checks]

You said theboil line was dry at the headx. What about at the block? I also wonder abouut the ball check val e. If it is stuck it could be forcing oil out somewhere.

[Antiquar]

You said theboil line was dry at the headx. What about at the block? I also wonder abouut the ball check val e. If it is stuck it could be forcing oil out somewhere.

It looked clean at the block I believe, but will check again. Good point about the ball check valve. Looks like I'll be pulling the breather box to check. There was some oil at the end of the breather drain line but that doesn't mean it's operating perfectly.

[chuck peterson]

I've only needed one re torque after new whatnots for lots and lots and lots of dry miles...any reason behind the three? New crush washers on the oil lines? A simple green hose down will clean the oil, once it's dry many will use a spray on deodorant to see where the leak is coming from...but it sounds like you've got a lot and should be visible...correct routing in n out of the air box...check ball valve or flapper in the breather?

[Antiquar]

I've only needed one re torque after new whatnots for lots and lots and lots of dry miles...any reason behind the three? New crush washers on the oil lines?

New crush washers all around. On the retorques, one retorque overnight after the initial torque. For the other two: I checked valves clearances after a few heat cycles and retorqued the head as they snugged up a bit.

Perhaps this was a mistake and the subsequent retorques disturbed the gasket, which started leaking at high pressure.

A simple green hose down will clean the oil, once it's dry many will use a spray on deodorant to see where the leak is coming from...but it sounds like you've got a lot and should be visible...correct routing in n out of the air box...check ball valve or flapper in the breather?

Yeah, I definitely have to check the breather system now. It may be the culprit, as the leak started when I was doing high RPM work on the highway. As to where the oil is coming from... either the distributor or cylinder base. It's actually difficult to tell due to the volume of oil.  I think I will clean up and use spray on powder to be sure.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[acogoff]

     A new hose doesn't always mean a whole lot. I have experienced 2 braided hose failures that manifest themselves as a jet of oil spraying about a foot through a pin hole. The teflon hose is the way to go if a new hose is needed.

[bigbikerrick]

     A new hose doesn't always mean a whole lot. I have experienced 2 braided hose failures that manifest themselves as a jet of oil spraying about a foot through a pin hole. The teflon hose is the way to go if a new hose is needed.

I am not familiar with the "teflon hose" you refer to.  I have only seen stainless braided, and  black cloth braided .Where do you purchase that hose set?
thanks
Rick.

[Don G]

The Teflon line is inside the Stainless braid. DonG

[acogoff]

I am not familiar with the "teflon hose" you refer to.  I have only seen stainless braided, and  black cloth braided .Where do you purchase that hose set?
thanks
Rick.

MG Cycle is where I got mine-others may also carry it. Worth the extra money.

[TOMB]

You may also want to feel underneath the distributor not where it attaches to the engine but where the cap attaches to the distributor see if any oil is coming out of there you may have a seal inside the distributor that is leaking and venting oil into the distributor ask me how I know
TOMB

[Antiquar]

TOMB's post is rather pertinent.

Turns out it IS in fact my distributor that is leaking. I went over the breather, which seems to be in working order. I found that some idiot (ahem) had overfilled the sump. I siphoned out the excess oil.

After cleaning the oil and grime from the engine & trans I went for a 10 mile ride. Dry as a bone, save for one drop hanging from the weep hole on the distributor. Seems like I will have to renew the o-rings and other bits in the distributor. I am glad no other seals were blown out.