Q: I have a 1983 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana, which always runs well and we have a lot of fun with this classic old Suzuki.
But it’s always been an oil tight motor until now. All of a sudden oil is around each side of the barrel and blowing all over my legs, which is terrible for my new riding jeans.
I washed the bike to find out where it’s coming from and I thought it was from the head gasket but it seems to coming from around the front two middle cylinder studs.
So, have you had a similar problem with these old Suzuki motors and if so pray tell what you discovered so I can repair my Katana as well?
And thanks for a very entertaining site too.
Korbus
A: I’ve repaired many GSX motors with this oily/dribbling problem and you’ll be pleased to know that it’s not the head gasket, but you’ll still have to take off the cam cover to repair it.
At each side of the exhaust camshaft sprocket is a cylinder head bolt that looks a bit like a chess piece, two of them. Take them out and you’ll see an o-ring on the top that becomes brittle over time and then the oil leaks past, down the cylinder stud, and sprays around the sides of the barrel, like you’ve said.
Do not replace with normal o-rings though because they can’t endure the heat. It’s called a viton o-ring that’s resistant to oil and heat, so you probably have to order those from your Suzuki dealer. Fit them nicely and the leak will be gone.
