1981 KZ550 oil leak on 4th cylinder

The only oil leak on my engine is on the right hand side (4th cylinder) near the head gasket. If the torque specs are good then what should i do: new gasket or o-rings? Also the only cylinder that has carbon on the piston crown and oil on the spark plug is the far right 4th. Bike has only 8,000 miles on it. Every other piston and spark plug is dry, clean, and oil free. This is a real stumper to me.

Any help from an experienced kz'er would be appreciated

Leak might be from one of several possible sources, such as tach drive, valve cover gasket, exhaust port, etc.

Need to identify exact source of leakage.

Suggest cleaning engine.
Allow to dry.
Spray suspected area with foot powder deodorant spray.

Start engine and, while idling, keep close look to see where leaking begins.
A flashlight may help.

Good Fortune!

Common oil leaks on older 550 engines even with low mileage, is the side oil squirter o-rings between the head and cylinders. To do this, you'll need a new head gasket, new side o-rings, and a new valve cover gasket. Get the Kawasaki all metal gasket and o-rings for this job. It's not all that difficult, just takes time.

This isn't an oil thread, but my opinion on older bikes is never run any type of synthetic oil, unless you've replaced the gaskets and o-rings, or you plan on doing them soon. I ran "dino" oil for almost a year on one of my older engines, and when I switched to full synthetic, that's when I saw the side o-rings seeping.

Would that also explain the isolated carbon buildup and oil on piston and plug n0.4 as well? Every other one is bone dry.

Thanks for everyone's help.

shimvalve wrote:

Would that also explain the isolated carbon buildup and oil on piston and plug n0.4 as well? Every other one is bone dry.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Does the bike blow smoke from the exhausts?

If so, under what circumstances?

Thinking possibly a faulty valve stem seal.

Could be oil escaping past the seal into the cylinder and into the exhaust port.
Then escaping past exhaust port gasket to appear on the fins.

Good Fortune!

What are compression test figures?
Especially #4 cylinder compared to the others.

Any indication of engine head having ever been removed?
Or jugs removed?
Thinking possibly oil ring on #4 improperly installed.

Good Fortune!