Topic: What leak is this? Pics included

[ncstatecamp]

I'm on a trip around the eastern seaboard and leaking a bit of oil.

Originally I thought it was a head gasket leak but after watching this vid http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9ll19_DSkTM&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9ll19_DSkTM he mentioned (at 10:25) that if the pucks over the bolts holes leaked it could look like a head gasket leak.

After cleaning all the oil and gunk from the fins and case it appears a bit higher then the head gasket.

So thoughts?

[Wobbly]

What difference does it make? You replace one, you replace the other.

[goldarrow]

Most likely Puck leaks.  For 750 bikes, engine needs to come off frame

[ncstatecamp]

At the moment Im in Connecticut from North Carolina by way of Chicago, Montreal, kinda far from home. Im trying to figure out if I need to cut the trip short and go home or if I can keep on riding. One leak is a bit more sever then the other. If its just a puck leak I can probs keep riding right? If the engine is pulled is the tension on the head gasket released if just the rocker assembly comes off?

[goldarrow]

You can keep riding, just be sure to keep checking oil level.  The whole top valve train has to come off, so at least you're looking at vale cover gasket and rubber pucks, and a tube of hondabond or yamabond. 

[Wobbly]

You are not pulling the engine and not replace the head gasket, are you? Aside from the six rubber seals and the head- and valve cover gasket, you should replace the O-rings too. You do not use Hondabond or any liquid gasket on genuine Honda gaskets (but then what does Honda know, they just made these bikes).
Anyhow, keep an eye on the oil level while you continue your trip.

[goldarrow]

You do not use Hondabond or any liquid gasket on genuine Honda gaskets (but then what does Honda know, they just made these bikes).

In case you didnt know, use Hondabond or yamabond sparingly on the rubber pucks to keep them from leaking again.

What did Honda know, right??? Selling hondabond $10 a tube

[ncstatecamp]

awesome! yeah i only recently discovered about the pucks. I've had this bike down to frame and bolts and built it back up. The only thing I didnt do was tear into the engine other then polish covers (and new gaskets for those which I laser cut).

I will not be pulling the engine, I just thought it was a more severe leak. just a bit ugly...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Yeah, check and top off your oil. Plug it up with a piece of rag, etc to soak it up and keep it off you. If it's the puck it'll be coming from inside the head above the spark plugs. Just don't let the exhaust catch it on fire. Have a good time.

When you get home and remove your engine then you can worry about it. Usually 2 things above the head gasket that will leak though - pucks or the cam tower studs and the cam tower studs usually only leak after removal and reinstall. You may find that the cylinder studs have stretched and the nuts are loose too but that would affect compression and present as a leaky head gasket.

Someone mentioned a new head gasket. Not going into the need right now BUT Honda has recently discontinued theirs. They also dc'd the primary chain tensioner too. You may want to order 6 pucks when you get home before they disappear too.