1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed

makeshr · 15th December 2010, 08:15

Hi,
Expert advice request..
I own a 1989 350 Cc standard bullet.
Recently I have been noticing oil leak from underneath my spark plug (cylinder head). When I slightly increase the accelerator I could see small oil bubbles (air bubbles?) coming out from underneath the seat where spark pug sits.

I consulted with my mech. in Bangalore and he says the head needs to be replaced as an aluminium welding cannot fix the problem. He also tried initially fixing the problem by using Araldite adhesive..but no use..still the problem persists.

Has anyone of you had this probem with your bullet before? How did you resolve that?

How much would a bullet headnew) cost? My mch.quotes 5000-6000 INR.

Is there any other solution rater than a Head replacement?

Best,
Makesh R

adrian · 15th December 2010, 11:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by makeshr

Hi,
Expert advice request..
I own a 1989 350 Cc standard bullet.
Recently I have been noticing oil leak from underneath my spark plug (cylinder head). When I slightly increase the accelerator I could see small oil bubbles (air bubbles?) coming out from underneath the seat where spark pug sits.

I consulted with my mech. in Bangalore and he says the head needs to be replaced as an aluminium welding cannot fix the problem. He also tried initially fixing the problem by using Araldite adhesive..but no use..still the problem persists.

Has anyone of you had this probem with your bullet before? How did you resolve that?

How much would a bullet headnew) cost? My mch.quotes 5000-6000 INR.

Is there any other solution rater than a Head replacement?

Best,
Makesh R

Hi Makesh R, if it is from the bottom of the spark plug, it seems like a crack that has developed due to over tightening of spark plug. The compressed air fuel mixture must be what you see leaking out of the place. Are you experiencing lack of power with your machine !Check out with an expert mechanic and see that it can be corrected in the lathe and keep reading the thread for what our TBHP Bullet experts have to say.

blackfire_9 · 15th December 2010, 13:29

Another guy faced a similar problem wherein his bike's head had developed cracks. He was suggested TIG welding to get the crack repaired & he has been doing fine till now without any issues

You can try out this option in case there is a crack, as it will be much cheaper than procuring a new head.

Ride safe.

makeshr · 15th December 2010, 14:14

Hi,
Thanks for the quick response.
It's not because of a crack but due to the slightly oversized hole into which the spark plug fits in.
According to the mech. , the hole size of the spark plug slot got increased to 2 sizes in a previous lathe work. A heat welding can only reduce the hole size down to one but not to two it seems.

Best,
Makesh

jingaboysr · 15th December 2010, 14:26

This is the thread blackfire is talking about: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...nder-head.html

Ironically, my bike had a similar problem and I just gave it to get the head welded and came back. I don't think you would want to change the head for this.

This is where my leak occurs, indicated by the arrow. But it looks as if it is leaking from thespark plug screw area, but it is actually not.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attach...-head-leak.jpg

desideep · 15th December 2010, 16:18

I had a simila problem firstly the aredlite did fine and then planed to get the plug adapter redone but havent had the time. but the aredlite is still holding up.

blackfire_9 · 15th December 2010, 21:04

If you are talking about that hole (meant for spark plug) having become bigger, then there is something known as re-threading which mechanics do. A hollow piece with threads inside is fitted into this hole so that the size is reduced. I am not writing the details here, nor will I be able to explain much here but ask your mechanic about it. I am sure he would know.

Ride safe.

@jinga: Thanks for the link man, I had myself tried but failed at finding it.

15th December 2010, 08:15	#1
makeshr Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed Hi, Expert advice request.. I own a 1989 350 Cc standard bullet. Recently I have been noticing oil leak from underneath my spark plug (cylinder head). When I slightly increase the accelerator I could see small oil bubbles (air bubbles?) coming out from underneath the seat where spark pug sits. I consulted with my mech. in Bangalore and he says the head needs to be replaced as an aluminium welding cannot fix the problem. He also tried initially fixing the problem by using Araldite adhesive..but no use..still the problem persists. Has anyone of you had this probem with your bullet before? How did you resolve that? How much would a bullet headnew) cost? My mch.quotes 5000-6000 INR. Is there any other solution rater than a Head replacement? Best, Makesh R
	() Thanks

15th December 2010, 13:29	#3
blackfire_9 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: India Posts: 1,075 Thanked: 192 Times	Re: 1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed Another guy faced a similar problem wherein his bike's head had developed cracks. He was suggested TIG welding to get the crack repaired & he has been doing fine till now without any issues You can try out this option in case there is a crack, as it will be much cheaper than procuring a new head. Ride safe.
	() Thanks

15th December 2010, 14:14	#4
makeshr Newbie Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: 1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed Hi, Thanks for the quick response. It's not because of a crack but due to the slightly oversized hole into which the spark plug fits in. According to the mech. , the hole size of the spark plug slot got increased to 2 sizes in a previous lathe work. A heat welding can only reduce the hole size down to one but not to two it seems. Best, Makesh
	() Thanks

15th December 2010, 14:26	#5
jingaboysr BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore, Cochin Posts: 270 Thanked: 19 Times	Re: 1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed This is the thread blackfire is talking about: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...nder-head.html Ironically, my bike had a similar problem and I just gave it to get the head welded and came back. I don't think you would want to change the head for this. This is where my leak occurs, indicated by the arrow. But it looks as if it is leaking from thespark plug screw area, but it is actually not. http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attach...-head-leak.jpg
	() Thanks

15th December 2010, 16:18	#6
desideep Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,161 Thanked: 330 Times View My Garage	Re: 1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed I had a simila problem firstly the aredlite did fine and then planed to get the plug adapter redone but havent had the time. but the aredlite is still holding up.
	() Thanks

15th December 2010, 21:04	#7
blackfire_9 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: India Posts: 1,075 Thanked: 192 Times	Re: 1989 Bullet(Standard)350 CC oil leak from below the spark plug..help needed If you are talking about that hole (meant for spark plug) having become bigger, then there is something known as re-threading which mechanics do. A hollow piece with threads inside is fitted into this hole so that the size is reduced. I am not writing the details here, nor will I be able to explain much here but ask your mechanic about it. I am sure he would know. Ride safe. @jinga: Thanks for the link man, I had myself tried but failed at finding it.
	() Thanks