Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)

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17 Nov 2024 14:19 #906185 by ThatYeti
Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976) was created by ThatYeti
Been noticing after a ride that is see something leaking and figured it was has out of the right carb bowl so I'd started letting it run itself out of gas before I parked it for more than a few days. That was until today when after a short 20-30 min ride I see what's clearly oil in all the same spots. Any idea where to start in trying to find/fix the leak?

'76 KZ400

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17 Nov 2024 15:20 #906187 by Wookie58
Replied by Wookie58 on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
Clean it off with brake cleaner after noting the highest point you can see oil, then dust that area with talc and run the motor again until it starts leaking. You should be able to pin point the leak as the talc will stop the oil "running"
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17 Nov 2024 15:40 #906188 by ThatYeti
Replied by ThatYeti on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
Thanks and nothing in that area to worry about getting either brake cleaner or talc on?

'76 KZ400

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17 Nov 2024 16:02 #906189 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
If your brake cleaner is chlorinated, then I recommend keeping it away from rubber bits like the cute little cap on the oil pressure sensor. 

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

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17 Nov 2024 17:54 #906192 by Billeuze
Replied by Billeuze on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
Could be coming from the oil pressure sensor, check under the cap. Pull the cap, start the engine, you’ll see it squirting from the top of the oil pressure sensor if that’s where it’s coming from

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  • gd4now
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17 Nov 2024 19:45 #906197 by gd4now
Replied by gd4now on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
Either way you will need to clean it up to learn what the issue is and to keep it from getting any worse. There are several things that could be the issue. Keep in mind oil leaks, as the bike moves through the air, tend to flow backward and from high to low.

1977 KZ650 B1
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  • ThatGPzGuy
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18 Nov 2024 05:39 #906202 by ThatGPzGuy
Replied by ThatGPzGuy on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
I would immediately suspect the oil pressure switch. They are NOLA but there are a few new and used ones on eBay or, you could replace it with a gauge or plug it. The part number is: 27010-1157

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

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18 Nov 2024 07:36 #906206 by daveo
Replied by daveo on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)


Take a good look in and around where the red arrow is pointing. 
Some dampness appears to show just below the cylinder head...need to rule out that area as a possible leakage source.

1982 KZ1100-A2

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18 Nov 2024 20:31 - 18 Nov 2024 20:32 #906226 by Billeuze
Replied by Billeuze on topic Help! KZ400 oil leak (1976)
Yes, I didn't see that earlier but it surely could be from the head gasket area.

If it does turn out to be the oil pressure switch, yes, they are not available through Kawasaki any more. As stated earlier NOS are available on ebay but are pricey when I looked, what I found that does work is kawasaki part number 27010-0818. It is readily available. I got mine form a kawasaki lawnmower dealer. It screws right in, pressure range is correct, just the wiring terminal is different. if you don't mind putting a different connector on your wire it works great:
[img
Last edit: 18 Nov 2024 20:32 by Billeuze.
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