Urgent Help Needed!

Hi,

My sv650 unfaired 2000/Y is leaking oil from somewhere near the top of the engine (only once its been running for 5 minutes), the air box had oil in it but the filter is fine. I washed and dried this out but it hasn't helped. Also, my idle/revs keep jumping to approx 3000 even when i havent touched the throttle, i have adjusted this already but as soon as i use the bike again the rev counter goes crazy! The bike is also mis-firing! I have already changed the spark plugs but it hasn't helped!
Can anyone help as it's my pride and joy and only mode of transport!!!!

[yorkie_chris]

Wheres the leak from, if its head gasket it could be difficult?

[northwind]

Revs and misfires could be a stuck choke, or it could be vacuum leak? Have you have the carbs off? Airbox?

The oil leak, I reckon, is quite likely from the crankcase breather hoses- although I'm assuming here you've had the airbox off. Top end leaks are pretty uncommon on the SV. Can you be more specific on the location?

I took it down to my mates bike shop and we had the tank up and airbox off to clean it out as it was covered in oil, we reconnected pipes securely before I left. Haven't had carbs off yet but I think I might have to to give them a clean up. The bike had 35000mls when i brought it and only had 2 service stamps!

[northwind]

Is there any chance they've come off at the crank union, do you think? I did that once, very easy to overlook.

Cam chain tensioners can spring a leak sometimes, if either bolt works loose... I suppose that's a suspect. Need to pin the location down a bit more though.

What's a crank union? Sorry, but i've only learnt basics so far and not in any particular order!! (changing bearings, repairing stripped threads, fitting fork oil seals etc)

[northwind]

Sorry, that was me being lazy. I meant the hose union at the crankcase end- in other words, make sure they're plugged in right at both ends, not just the top

Check your valve cover bolts, if they weren't tightened all the way the valve cover gasket #22 and or the valve cover bolt sealing washers could leak. #25 x 2 and #26

thanks for all the advice guys. i've fixed the leak (northwind was right it was the hose at the crankcase end!) and I've sorted the idle/choke. But the bike still has a misfire. I've looked over the bike and checked Haynes manual, silly question, on the front cylinder there is a large bolt on the left side of the bike but on the right side there is a small hole (not damaged as it is perfectly circular) but no bolt in it, the Haynes manual doesn't mention this but should there be a bolt in it or is it supposed to just be a hole?????

Cheers

[yorkie_chris]

Theres a hole in the side of the cylinder head casting yes, its a drain hole for water from the front plug hole.
If I were you id take the HT lead off and blast up it with compressed air as they always get clogged up.

how bad is the miss? is it only runnign on 1 all the time or intermittent or what?