RC24 Oil leak, on all 4 heads???

[V4Spook]

Hi there, Newbie Spook here.

Just got my lovely RC24 started, she's been dry stored for ten years.

Gave her an oil change first of course, but upon starting, she's leaked oil out of manufactured holes in the sides of all four heads. Are these some sort of overflow holes? I've never seen them before. Will it keep leaking???

Please help!!!!

Spook.

[Cammo]

Do you mean the spark plug recess drain holes?

If so I can only imagine that the rocker covers are leaking oil into the spark plug recesses, which would be unusual to fill all 4?!

Might be worth checking that you haven't over filled it with oil, any leaks will be worsen the problem.

[V4Spook]

Hi Cammo, thanks for your reply!

Spark plug drain holes? Hmm....possible. The holes which are leaking are on the side of the block, the front left one (for example) is just below the top engine mounting bolt.
Have a Haynes for the RC30 which shows the same holes, but makes no mention of what they are or what they are for!

These holes are original, and have no threads in them.

It is possible she's been slightly overfilled, and also that there may be an oilway blocked after standing for so long....I'm guessing?? Maybe these are designed into the block to release any overfills?? Anyone heard of something like this? I'm worried.....

[Cammo]

The engine shouldn't leak any oil, it would be a serious road hazard! They sound like the spark plug recess drain holes to me but I'm not familiar with that model.

You'll need to investigate further!

[Neosophist]

Hi Cammo, thanks for your reply!

Spark plug drain holes? Hmm....possible. The holes which are leaking are on the side of the block, the front left one (for example) is just below the top engine mounting bolt.
Have a Haynes for the RC30 which shows the same holes, but makes no mention of what they are or what they are for!

These holes are original, and have no threads in them.

It is possible she's been slightly overfilled, and also that there may be an oilway blocked after standing for so long....I'm guessing?? Maybe these are designed into the block to release any overfills?? Anyone heard of something like this? I'm worried.....

They are the sparkplug drain holes.

No need to worry though.

All the V4 engines (many I4s) too that have deep recessed plugs have this hole as water / shit is easy to get in and without them hard to get out.

Id get a torch and some carb cleaner / engine degreaser and clean all the shit off the holes and from around them.

Start it up and check for leaks.

Almost always its the rocker box gasket, it seeps oil into the spark plug wells and it comes out the holes.

[V4Spook]

Big thanks Cammo & Neosophist.

Firstly an apology...she's an NC24, not an RC24. Have both, got confused!!

Have taken both cam caps off, made new gaskets to fit with a reasonable smidgen of Hylomar of all mating surfaces. Also cleaned spark plug drain holes (as that's what they have turned out to be, thanks Cammo!) as best I can with carb cleaner (Thanks Neosophist!) and cotton buds.

Started her up and....no leaks! Happy days. Now if I can only get her to start without the help of a set of jump leads. (New battery but a real pig to get fired up) Those carbs not setup right or have some other problem. Ticks over nice once started but think she's running rich.

Anyhoo, thanks again for your help guys, much appreciated.

Spook.

[Neosophist]

Big thanks Cammo & Neosophist.

Firstly an apology...she's an NC24, not an RC24. Have both, got confused!!

Have taken both cam caps off, made new gaskets to fit with a reasonable smidgen of Hylomar of all mating surfaces. Also cleaned spark plug drain holes (as that's what they have turned out to be, thanks Cammo!) as best I can with carb cleaner (Thanks Neosophist!) and cotton buds.

Started her up and....no leaks! Happy days. Now if I can only get her to start without the help of a set of jump leads. (New battery but a real pig to get fired up) Those carbs not setup right or have some other problem. Ticks over nice once started but think she's running rich.

Anyhoo, thanks again for your help guys, much appreciated.

Spook.

Done the valve clerances?

Should start first crank.

Carb cable pulling the carb rods out far enough?