Hi all, purchased this bike last in October 2019 but I only have been using it more this month June 2020, I noticed after riding and the bike standing for a while a engine oil leak. I cleaned all oil away with carburetor cleaner and allowed it to become bone dry then started engine and run till hot, switched off and looked for this oil leak, located coming from between the upper cooling fins of the cylinder head and not from any gaskets. I made my mind up to use a small amount of liquid metal by pushing it deep into the cavity from where this oil was coming from after cleaning it up again. The following day rechecked for leak, all dry. how good is liquid metal for a repair like this ??
Could you post a photo or two showing the leak, I don't like the idea of liquid metal in this sort of area and at best it will only be a temporary repair. Members on here will give advice and opinions having seen where the oil is coming from.
Sounds like a porous cylinder head , not very common. I've only heard of one other ! And that was an early 1975/78 Laverda Jota .. My Mate Eric had his jota'head off twice before it was concluded that the head was porous.
never heard of liquid metal could you tell me what its brand name is would be handy for many things thanks
My guess would be that it is coming from the cam cover, it is fairly common, and it may not be obvious exactly where the oil is coming from. You could check the cam cover bolts are at the correct torque, but don't over tighten. Failing that replace the camcover gasket, bolts and the compression washers (or whatever they are called). Mine did the same and I replaced the gasket, bolts and washers, which fixed it for a while, however recently its started leaking again. It's only a very tiny amount of oil leaking, so for now I just wipe the engine fins with blue roll after a ride. Next time I have the cam cover off I may use a very thin layer of gasket seal with a new gasket and see if that fixes it.
Further to my previous post, just try searching for Triumph Bonneville Cam Cover Leak... you'll get loads of results. Some examples: https://www.triumphrat.net/threads/cam-cover-oil-leak.305106/ https://www.triumphtalk.com/threads/valve-cover-oil-leaks-on-lots-of-865cc-engines.13534/
It's has to be the head that is porous, at least I have proofen that, I will wait till it leaks again then remove head at get a pro to weld it up, thanks for help so far and will give you a update in a month or so
