I've been chasing a noisy left hand cylinder for the past couple of months. Valve lash was perfect, zero rocker end play, good compression, but still one side was always a bit noisier than the other. I was starting to fear the worst; piston slap, worn guides, big end bearings etc. It's also had a bit of a seep in the head to cylinder gasket for awhile, and last week one of my push rod seals on that side developed a leak. I was marking my parking place Harley Davidson style when on the side stand...

So, yesterday I tore into it and found the top studs almost completely sealed with two different colors of sealant, slimy chunks of black and a hard rubbery grey. I cleaned it all out, put it back together with new seals and gaskets, and the noise is gone!

Now I really need to do the other side...
