Author Topic: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil  (Read 1267 times)

Offline Phteix

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Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« on: November 09, 2020, 02:24:20 PM »
Hi there,

My name is Pedro, I'm 28 and this is my first post.
 Thank you for all your help so far. Sorry but English is not my first language so I will try to make things as clear as possible.

I just got a Honda CB550K 1978 (My dream bike), the engine, and pistons, and everything else was just rebuilt by the guy I bought it from. That's the list of what he changed on the bike...

"Engine Rebuilt including vapor blasting.
New engine gaskets set including upper and lower head gaskets.
New piston rings.
New roller bearings.
New primary chain and timing chain.
New timing chain guide... etc"

For the first time last week, I decided to open the carb and give it a good clean, but I noticed that the first carb was dry and not passing petro at all, the float was upsidedown blocking it. I had it fixed and put it back on the bike. But as soon as I was out testing the bike I noticed loads of oil leaking in one of the headcovers cap.

So last night I decided to open the Headcover cylinder to have a look... Is this normal (I HAVE THE COVER AND THE BOLT, I JUST REMOVED IT FOR THE VIDEO, THE OILD IS LEAKING THROUGH THE BOLT WHEN EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE))

In this video, you can have an idea...(
https://youtu.be/aE6ZTKxjHEU

Could be something in the pistons? A ring or something? It's only on the left side of the Cylinder Headcover.
Also, feels like the bike is overheating.


Any idea what it could be?
Thank you in advance.
Pedro


« Last Edit: November 09, 2020, 03:17:48 PM by Phteix »

Offline philward

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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2020, 02:40:02 PM »
Welcome Pedro - I'm no expert on this model but am sure that an expert will be along shortly to help
Current Bikes:-
Honda CB750K2 (1975)
Honda CB500K2 (12/1972)
Honda CR750 Replica (1972)
Honda CB350K0 (1969)
Kawasaki ZZR1100D3 (1995)
Kawasaki ZZR250 (1990) Project (Going on eBay ASAP)

Offline Nurse Julie

  • 1977 CB550/4 Mongrel Brat. 1974 UK 500/4 K1. Honda CD250u.
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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2020, 02:40:54 PM »
Welcome Pedro, wow, that is a very, very bad oil leak 😢😢😢😢😢
LINK TO MY EBAY PAGE. As many of you know already, I give 10% discount and do post at cost to forum members if you PM me direct.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/julies9731/m.html?item=165142672569&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m3561.l2562

LINK TO MY CB400/4 ENGINE STRIP / ASSESSMENT AND REBUILD...NOW COMPLETE
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.msg112691/topicseen.html#new

Offline paul G

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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2020, 03:40:59 PM »
It will leak oil there without the cover on.
The bolt with the bracket on if I remember correctly has an o ring or aluminium washer to seal it.
« Last Edit: November 09, 2020, 03:52:48 PM by paul G »
Honda CB400 4
Honda CB550 K3 (sold)
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Offline Johnwebley

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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2020, 03:46:50 PM »
It will leak oil there without the cover on.
The bolt with the bracket on if I remember correctly has an o ring to seal it.


  ditto from me,that is the oilfeed for the camshaft .

 welcome ,


  https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550-k1-four-1975-usa_model466/partslist/E++01.html#.X6ljTWj7TIU



 
lifelong motorcycle rider,and fan

Offline Phteix

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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2020, 06:20:37 PM »
There was a washer missing, that's why.
Is it normal for all this oil in that area? Because on the right side there's not as much oil pumping up.

Thank you for your help guys.

Offline Phteix

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Re: Honda CB550K 1978 Cylinder Head Cover Leaking LOADS of Oil
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2020, 08:38:10 PM »
Cool, thank you for your help!
Everything is working fine now.

Cheers!

 

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