Lucas engine oil stop leak 10278 OK for 1986 VF500F ?

Hi Guys,

I'm really enjoying riding my ratty looking but great running VF 500F and have put about 2000 miles on it in the past 6 months. It didn't leak a drop of oil for the first 500 miles since I got it on the road about 9 months ago. Then about 4 months ago I got the bright idea to switch to full synthetic oil. after a few hundred miles it started seeping a few drops from around the pan gasket and the problem has gotten progressively worse. It got to where it would lose about 1/2 ounce per week into the cookie sheet I had to start putting under it. I switched back to dino Shell Rotella about 100 miles ago but the problem has not improved. I have checked the pan bolts and they are all there and so tight they would probably break if I even tried to loosen them.
I am thinking about trying the Lucas Oil engine stop leak 10278, but wonder if I might create new problems by over softening the valve seals or the like. The product has generally good reviews on Amazon and I definitely don't want to try to pull the pan. It would be a nightmare on my bike with its rusted exhaust and the likelyhood of breaking pan bolts. So, comments and experience with the product or other possible solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jay

 

That stuff is a band aid at best. It's designed to try and swell the seals.

My Magna V45 (same V4 engine as our Viffers) was an '82 ... but after frequent use, it started leaking like a sieve.

Over time, all the seals become brittle and break down. When it starts getting used every day, we're now putting stress on those seals and they start leaking. You can try that snake oil, and it might work for a short time, but ultimately it's a band aid.

The proper solution would be to replace all the seals you can .... can you identify where the leak is coming from? Maybe you can get away with only changing one seal if you want to do it on the cheap ... once one seal starts going at that age though, more are sure to follow.

 

Just got done replacing all my seals and o-rings on my 83. Ozone in the atmosphere makes them deteriorate and get hard too. It was sad to replace old hard Metzlers with brand new ones that looked the same!

 

switch back to a blended Motorcycle oil, it won't leak as much-because it doesn't flow as well

 

Correct answer: pull the pan.

I removed the oil pan from my 86 when I had it, as well as a 74 Honda. No problems whatsoever. Even if Honda doesn't stock that gasket anymore you can either cut your own or use something like permatex form-a-gasket. Use a torque wrench when reinstalling.

Might as well replace the countershaft and shifter seals while you're at it.

Dumping in oil thickeners to possibly starve small passages say to cams is a BAD idea IMO.

 

my answer was just a temp fix, use a oil just thick enough to stop the leak then should still be getting enough oil flow-try a napa platinum oil filter too-they flow really well.