Oil covered engine

Hello, I am working on a 79 kz650c for my friend. I am re-doing the carbs for him. Heres the next issue, the entire front of the engine is covered in oil, from the valve cover down to the bottm, being thicker at the lower portion. Bike has been sitting for quite awhile so it may have been accumulating over time. I searched a bit a found an overwhelming number of oil leak threads. So my question is this, what is the likly culprit?? Thank you very much, Ed

i would guess the valve cover gasket to be a good starting point,but id take it to the carwash and give it the scrub and rub first to make the process easier.

Valve cover can leak, but that's a man-made leak from taking the cover off and putting it back on with a bad gasket or crap on the surface. A valve cover gasket will never just start leaking out of the blue sky on it's own if it was sealing at one time. Same with the head gasket and base gasket. These can still leak, but KZ650 is covered in rubber orings that will leak. On the front of the engine you have the tachometer drive with 2 rubbers there, also the 4 cam end plugs and the orings between the head and cylinder and the cases and the cylinder. Only the tach drive is on the front of the engine though. Like plummen said though, oil leaks can be elusive as oil runs all over the place after it leaks so clean her up and see whats going on.

You can go through and fix every possible leak point or you can clean the engine thoroughly and then buy a can of powder-based spray deodorant. Spray a little bit on everything then start the engine. The oil leak will soon show in the fine covering of powder. Fix that spot.

All good info, thank you. I will start with a good engine degreasing at the car wash and start checking mentioned spots. Thanks alot, Ed

make sure you cover the carbs, if you dont have a stock air box on it

edjo69 wrote:

the entire front of the engine is covered in oil, from the valve cover down to the bottm, being thicker at the lower portion.

Tach seal:

elegant fix for same

Ok, Bike is back from the car wash all clean and fancy. Tach drive is way loose, should I go ahead and replace the seal and o-ring? Can I get the parts from Bikebandit? Thanks again guys for all of your help, Ed

Bike Bandit is all right. For more personal service take your business to Jeff at z1enterprises.com .

Good luck.