Oil leak

[MartyFieldman]

Hi, hope some one can help identify the cause of oil leaking out of a small hole on the outer face of the forward cylinder barrel. Thanks

[Upt North]

I don't know, but.
Is that a drain hole for the plug aperture or is it just a casting mark.
If it's a drain channel then I'm guessing a leak in the rocker cover.
Good luck.
Upt'North.

[Rixington43]

That's the drain hole for the plug recess, as above I would suspect a leak between the rocket cover and the head, there's a circular gasket (part number 11178-17E00) for the plug recess which is separate from the main valve cover gasket.
You'd need to remove the front valve cover to access it, how long until the next valve clearance check 😉

[kwackboy]

As above

The cam cover gasket needs to be replaced.
 

[Rixington43]

Whole cam cover gasket or just the plug ring?
Not being pedantic but I'm about to reuse my cam cover gaskets after a valve check and thought they were OK to recycle with a bit of Hylomar on the half moon sections.

[MartyFieldman]

Thank you all for your help. The cam cover gasket is leaking and I will be replacing it but I had no idea this was where the leak was coming from. Big relief at this end. Thanks again 👍 👍 👍

[kwackboy]

As above

The cam cover gasket needs to be replaced.
 

Sorry, this should be "gaskets" as Rixington rightly pointed out the plug ring comes separately

@ Rixington.

With martys , chances are, if the plug ring is leaking, the rest will deteriorate at some point as they maybe the original gaskets.
It's a case of,  while your there replace the whole lot.

Cam cover gaskets can be reusable if they are still Supple with no cracks but it's good practice to replace them if they've been on there a few years.

[Rixington43]

Cheers as always Kwackboy. Mine seem pretty flexible with no perishing and I had no leaks before but they could easily be the originals. I'll re use with a dab of Hylomar and replace if they cause any issues. I'll be doing another valve check in about 3 years anyway at this rate so I'll maybe replace them then just to be on the safe side.

Good luck with your replacement fix Marty, I see from your photo that you're already de-radiatored so plain sailing from there.