83 gl1100i replace valve stem seals

[ndaraban]

I have an 83 gl1100 i with 70 k. I enjoy riding it a lot. The main dog bone fuse cracked a few months ago and the bike tried to maroon me at walmart. I nursed it home, took the dog bone fuse out and sodered a 30 am fuse holder in its place. The electrical part runs fine now. But, it has developed a bad habit of eating oil - about 1 quart every 1000 miles. So, my next trick will be to order some valve stem seals and put them in. I researched it on the net. It looks like 1). I can either put a piece of rope down the spark plug hole to stop the valve from dropping down the cylinder or 2). take an old spark plug, knock the porcelin off, knock the center out, weld an air compressor nozzle. Then screw the spark plug into the cylinder, put 100 psi on the air compressor and change the valve stem seal. Sounds easy! I will see. Anyone have any other ideas? Believe me, I am not a master mechanic - but I will try anything once!

 

[joedrum]

id say the rope trick is the esiest to do ,,,stuff the rope in cylinder and with the plugs out on all cylinders move the crank up til the rope is snug up against the valves ...air is easy too just requires more stuff and power to do

 

[AApple]

Welcome to the CGW Forums, ndaraban!!! :clapping: :clapping: :clapping:



(Thread moved from New Member Welcome forum)

 

[scdmarx]

I unscrew the shrader valve from my compression tester hose and use that to get air into the cylinder.

The rope trick is much safer. 100 psi will rotate the motor and push the piston down to the bottom unless you have some way to block the crank from turning. And if you lose air pressure for any reason while the valve seal is off, your world gets real serious real fast.

 

[dan filipi]

Welcome to the forums.

I users the rope trick, very easy.
Careful if you use air, especially watch out for the ratchet on the stator nut. Pinned a couple fingers against the frame more than once.

About your oil loss,
To be burning a qt that fast you should see smoke out the exhaust.
Try shining a flashlight across the exhaust pipe end when its dark.
If you don't see smoke look elsewhere.
I have my doubts stem seals is the problem.

 

[cyborg]

how many miles on it. could just be rings worn/stuck how often do you change oil. what oil are you using. oil loss is eather out the exhaust pipe or leaking. you might even try a bit of MMO in ther oil to help clean the system out

 

[danf]

I have never done this rope trick but it sounds like the old schoolers have, and with great success..When I do mine it will be using the rope trick...Thank you to the guy that dreamed that up....

 

[ndaraban]

Wow! I did not expect this kind a response. I really appreciate the ideas! I will get pics of the bike this weekend.

To answer the question: how many miles on it. could just be rings worn/stuck how often do you change oil. what oil are you using. oil loss is eather out the exhaust pipe or leaking. you might even try a bit of MMO in ther oil to help clean the system out. -- The bike has 70,000 miles on it. I bought the bike with 25,000. I changed the oil (and filter) religously every 3,000 with 10 w30 castrol oil. I like the idea of putting a bit of mmo in with it and see what happens. I just fired up the bike at night and shone a flashlight on the exhaust. I had the bike on the side stand. It showed some blue smoke when cold, but once it warmed up, it ran clear. I could also get a compression test done first.

Incidentally, the bike has no oil leeks. I keep it in the garage and have never seen a drop of oil on the garage floor. It also seems to have plenty of power. Part of my am ride to work is on the interstate. It is nothing to get it up to 90 on a short spurt.

 

[mcgovern61]

Interesting...10W30....I use 10W40, usually go about 3200 miles before there is any measurable drop in oil level and then only about a pint.

Is it possible that you have a running oil leak...meaning, a leak that does not drop oil when the bike is sitting, only while heading down the road with a hot engine. Any signs of wet spots anywhere on the engine...top...bottom..behind the exhaust headers.....tach drive (on the fuel pump)?

 

[ndaraban]

I will get the bike out this weekend and drive it some. Will take some pics to let you see what I see.

Thanks,

 

[ndaraban]

I did not get to the bike this weekend. Had a leaky water valve under the kitchen sink. Busted the water pipe off at the valve while trying to fix it. Eventually did get it repaired. Off to Illinois next week for a few days. Looks like I wont get back to it until after the new year. Merry Christmas to everyone.

Thanks,

John

 

[ndaraban]

Holidays are gone. Now I got to look real close at the bike. I noticed oil dripping from the bolt that holds the engine. I checked the bolts and tightened the loose ones. Drove it 100 miles today and it ran beautiful. It seems it was a running leak after all! Thanks for the suggestions.

Also, here is a pic of my bike.

Thanks,

 

[dan filipi]

Hey nice bike.

Glad the oil wasn't anything serious, probably a head cover gasket leaking.
A word of caution, the cover bolts only tighten so far, they have a stop shoulder on them.
Others have snapped the bolts off thinking by cranking them down it would stop a leak.
You might need new cover gaskets or the little special seals under the bolt head washer.