Topic: Why is oil found here, or is it normal?

[JDrider]

1975 cb550k1
I have the carbs off and thought it was a good time to replace the
Intake o-rings.
Everything went fine, but behind number 3 intake there was oil there around the o-ring.
Is this this an indication of something bad in the engine?
Or is it ok?
Also the number 3 carb is the one that overflows before removal.

Also should note I was getting gas into the oil.

Any thoughts or info is appreciated.
Thanks,

[calj737]

From your picture, it appears there is a leak in the head gasket just to the left of the #3 carb.

If you're overflowing gas, then it is quite likely unburnt fuel is entering the combustion chamber and sweeping past the rings. You need to address that overflow issue promptly.

For the oil leak, you need to remove the valve cover (per the manual using rubber bands) and re-torque per the sequence. It is possible that this can address the leak. Break the head studs loose in reverse, then re-torque. It can work. If not, you'll need to remove the head, check for flatness, and then install a new gasket.

[JDrider]

I am rebuilding the carb to take care of the gas issue.
I’m a little nervous about opening and torque bolts in the engine.

[scottly]

Also the number 3 carb is the one that overflows before removal.

Also should note I was getting gas into the oil.

Thanks,

Fix the #3 carb.

[JDrider]

I am doing this.

Also the number 3 carb is the one that overflows before removal.

Also should note I was getting gas into the oil.

Thanks,

Fix the #3 carb.

[JDrider]

From your picture, it appears there is a leak in the head gasket just to the left of the #3 carb.

If you're overflowing gas, then it is quite likely unburnt fuel is entering the combustion chamber and sweeping past the rings. You need to address that overflow issue promptly.

For the oil leak, you need to remove the valve cover (per the manual using rubber bands) and re-torque per the sequence. It is possible that this can address the leak. Break the head studs loose in reverse, then re-torque. It can work. If not, you'll need to remove the head, check for flatness, and then install a new gasket.

So the oil is outside the engine leaking onto the o ring?
I was worried it was coming from the inside.

[dave500]

under the rocker cover there are rubber o ring type pucks,they cover the head nut acess holes,its an o ring with a membrane across it,those may be weeping oil not the actual head gasket,itll make its way with wind turbulence anywhere.

 RUBBER, SEALING
91318-300-013

[calj737]

under the rocker cover there are rubber o ring type pucks,they cover the head nut acess holes,its an o ring with a membrane across it,those may be weeping oil not the actual head gasket,itll make its way with wind turbulence anywhere.

 RUBBER, SEALING
91318-300-013

^^^^Another strong possibility

[HondaMan]

That goo on the intake port looks a lot like gas that was heated for a while. It may have been coming from your overflowing carb.

[scottly]

From your picture, it appears there is a leak in the head gasket just to the left of the #3 carb.

Cal, I don't think that's a head gasket leak, and may not be an oil leak at all? It looks like black grime, possibly from the congealed gas weeping past the intake o-ring. If it was an active oil leak bad enough to require top end work, it would look wetter, and the grime would tend to be washed off.
JD, Fix the carb, clean the black stuff off, and change the oil. If you later see any leaks worth addressing, you can address them then. In the mean time, fix what you know needs fixing.

[JDrider]

I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with carb number three, except for that little paint chip that was behind the float needle.  I will be replacing the rubber parts and the float needle and seat with oem. Is there anything else I should suspect for the gas getting by?

[grcamna2]

1975 cb550k1
I have the carbs off and thought it was a good time to replace the
Intake o-rings.
Everything went fine, but behind number 3 intake there was oil there around the o-ring.
Is this this an indication of something bad in the engine?
Or is it ok?
Also the number 3 carb is the one that overflows before removal.

Also should note I was getting gas into the oil.

Any thoughts or info is appreciated.
Thanks,

You might have a look at all the carbs. and determine whether any of them need work also;removing all four carbs. anyway..

[scottly]

If a paint chip or whatever, was caught between the tip of the needle and the seat, it could have held the needle open slightly, never completely shutting it off. I think I recall seeing the "chip" in a picture on a different thread, and it looked to me like orange silicone sealer?

[HondaMan]

I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with carb number three, except for that little paint chip that was behind the float needle.  I will be replacing the rubber parts and the float needle and seat with oem. Is there anything else I should suspect for the gas getting by?

Likely not: when chips of anything find their way into the gas tank, the result is usually overflowing carbs.
In real bad situations, and with the petcock left ON while parked, it can drain the whole gas tank into the engine! I got one here like that, once. It had 2 gallons of oil/gas mix in the engine when I drained it, overflowed my drain pan and made a real mess. When I asked the owner to check his carbs he just sent them to me, and 2 of the float valves were jammed with their pins inside the valve, probably from MTBE damage in the gas during the 1980s. New float valves fixed those right up, and new crank and rod bearings (plus top-end bore job for high miles) turned it into a real nice 550 when he was done with it.

[calj737]

From your picture, it appears there is a leak in the head gasket just to the left of the #3 carb.
 

Cal, I don't think that's a head gasket leak, and may not be an oil leak at all? It looks like black grime, possibly from the congealed gas weeping past the intake o-ring. If it was an active oil leak bad enough to require top end work, it would look wetter, and the grime would tend to be washed off.
JD, Fix the carb, clean the black stuff off, and change the oil. If you later see any leaks worth addressing, you can address them then. In the mean time, fix what you know needs fixing.

It’s definitely grimy. What caught my attention is how deep in the fins that grime is. If it were just fuel, I don’t think it would emanate from there. But hard to tell from a picture. And it seems to be very isolated to that stud area. Dave500 also mentioned pucks, and I think it corresponds directly to one there. Sometimes it would be nice to have them in your shop to diagnose quickly 

[dave500]

the 500/550 head gaskets really only leak or weep oil from the cam tunnel area or those two points where an o ring seals oil under pressure lubing the top end,weird un found oil leaks mostly come from those pucks,also dont forget air goes through those heads front to rear,a puck leaking at the front may only show at the rear?

[scottly]

Dave, the OP's problem stems from a flooding #3 carb. He has since identified a potential cause. Cal raised the question of a head gasket leak, which confuses the issue, especially for a mechanical noob. Until there is evidence of an actual oil leak, or one bad enough to warrant tearing into the top end, there is no reason to worry JD.

[scottly]

I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with carb number three, except for that little paint chip that was behind the float needle.

Try temporarily fitting the carb rack back in place and turning the petcock on. Does the #3 carb still overflow? If yes, you have more carb work ahead. If no, congratulations, you fixed it by removing the piece of crap from the needle seat! Put it all back together and move on to the next problem. Don't replace parts that don't need replacing, as you can create new problems, and end up "fixing it 'till it's broke".   

[dave500]

yeah thanks scottly,id just do those carbs and see how it goes after that?no point ripping of the rocker cover right now if it can be addressed later if needed?good point.

[Deltarider]

Standard procedure to follow when a carb overflows.
In general, carb peeing fuel out of its overflow tube, indicates its float needle doesn't close the valve. This is often seen when bike has been inactive for a long period of time. It can be caused by even a small particle of dirt between the float needle's tip and the valve or the float itself is hindered in its movement.
1. Detach all 4 overflow tubes from their brass pipes to identify which carb it is.
2. Tap with the stub end of a screwdiver its floatbowl and hope this will help to get rid of the dirt.
3. If not, close the petcock, unscrew the drain plug completely. Now with the drain plug removed, open and close the petcock a few times, to create a flush of fuel that can flush out the dirt between the float needle's tip (that is now down) and the valve.
4. When needed, combine step 2 and 3.
In most cases this does it. Ofcourse you will collect all the fuel - inspect it for dirt or excessive rust - and pour it in your tank again.
5. When the above steps don't help, it is necessary to remove the floatbowl for further inspection.

[Deltarider]

When you have to remove the floatbowl, know this:
1. In this forum messing with the floats runs like an epidemic. Not in the other SOHC Four fora. So you may find out PO has already messed things up.
2. Culprit is the Clymer manual which describes just any action possible without commenting how likely it is an issue occurs. The Haynes is somewhat better (balanced) in this respect.
3. When you have to remove float, pay attention to its swivel pin. You may need to polish it so the float can move uninterumped. The force is very little and it takes little to disturbs its action, so see to it you don't pinch the swivel pin on (re)assembly. Use your nails and if that doesn't work, you may use pliers but... very gentle.
4. For a good understanding see video's in: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,193177.msg2254805.html#msg2254805 and http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,193245.msg2255040.html#msg2255040

[calj737]

Dave, the OP's problem stems from a flooding #3 carb. He has since identified a potential cause. Cal raised the question of a head gasket leak, which confuses the issue, especially for a mechanical noob. Until there is evidence of an actual oil leak, or one bad enough to warrant tearing into the top end, there is no reason to worry JD.

Actually, Scottly, the OP raised the question of an oil leak. The title of the thread indicates as such. Addressing that, I posited some possible reasons. I also urged a prompt remedy to the carb overflowing issue. They may be separate issues, they may be one and the same. Hence my post about what the picture “appeared” to show.

I’m sure the OP can walk and chew gum simultaneously so there’s no reason not to provide feedback to his original question. He does need to determine if it is indeed oil or fouling so he can remedy it.

[JDrider]

I appreciate everyone’s insight.
I just got done polishing the brass float pins.
I am learning a lot on this forum and about my bike.
Still waiting in the o rings to arrive. Will be here tomorrow instead of yesterday.
Then I can put this together after addressing all 4 carbs.
Set the float height.
Then check and see if it’s still leaking before fully installing.

Thanks again everyone.