78 kz1000a engine trouble ?? HELP

I will start my question with the symptoms I can see... In the past two days the bike has become increasingly hard to start. Today now I noticed that my engine oil has become milky in color and major leak has developed in the forward most ohc housing. I have also noticed a "Racing" sound in said cam. In addition to these things, there is a definate lose of power.

My question is, does this sound like a problem anyone has experienced, and if so, what is needed to heal it?

I just pray she isn't terminal!!!

please advise.

Tim

You definetly need to take the camshaft
cover off and do a camshaft inspection.
Check your valve clearances,cam cap bolts,
cam lobe wear.Let us know what you find.

adjust the cam chain tensioner

milky oil is a indication of water in the oil

how are you going to get water in the oil on a air cooled engine?

what oil are you using,

Will gas do the same thing to oil as do water?

Thank you all for the advise. I am thankful for the last post cause I asked myself the same question! The problem is still an abstract question cause I have not had time to rip into it, but I think I have figured it out just by thinking of it.... Let me know what you think... what about a broken intake valve spring??? That would explain the "water" or condisation, loss of power and hard starting. The oil problem may have been getting worse do to envirnmental factors, ie. I live in MN and do not check my oil color or VS on a daily basis, and I guess would also explain all other symptoms as far as my mind can see.

What are your thoughts. I hope to rip into the bike tomorrow if everything goes right so we can all find out that caused the failer.

I still do not understand the sudden oil leak but that could be a gasket failer which would allow the moisture infiltration....

what do you guys think?

Just an arm chair diagnosis.

Tim

Gas fouled oil won't be milky. The only way you can get water in the oil on an air cooled KZ is to leave the bike sitting out and have water get in through the intake, leave the breather hose off and have it get in the crankcase through the crankcase breather or leave it sit out with spark plugs removed... that sort of thing. The only other possible explanation would be condensation in the crankcase... if the oil hasn't been changed for a verrrrry long time. Change the oil.

The noise you hear could be a variety of things. You have already been advised to adjust the cam chain tensioner. Do that and tell us if the noise goes away or changes.

The power loss? If the oil and cam chain need attention, you probably need to tune the bike. When was the last time the valves were adjusted, the timing set, carbs serviced, etc?

you could also have water in your gas and the blow-by causes the oil to milk up and your loss of power, try draining the carbs

That is true... some stations pick up water in their gas from the filling truck I guess or they just leak or something. Try gas from another station after changing the oil.

have you recently washed it in a car wash? the high pressure wands can force water into places best left dry. could have loosened cam cover gasket and forced water into the motor and caused an oil leak in said spot. same for running poor, forced some water into points cover. just a thought

I have changed the oil on the KZ now and there does not look like the oil was that milky. Must have just been when it was warm. I have ordered a new valve gasket and cam plugs. I tried to seal the leak with a copper based sealent but that did not work.

I have ridden the bike after the sealing attempt and there is still a substantal power loss.

Are there any good resourses on the web as to how to check valve clearance? I have never done this but would like to learn. Also, where can I find information on how to clean and adjust the carbs?

Thanks
Tim