Oil cooler leaking oil

What's up everyone--so I noticed some oil leaking from the right side oil cooler line on my 2007 VFR ...I'm assuming the O-ring needs to be replaced-- my question is would I need to empty out all the oil and do a filter change before I do this O-ring repair?

 

I am just spit balling here, not having been into the guts of a VFR but I have a good working knowledge of many different Honda designs, so here is my take: It wouldn't matter if you drain the oil because you will not drain the oil cooler. Just pull it, put a pan under it and replace the seals. Have a few rags handy just to mop up spills.

Oh. . .and don't make assumptions about the seals. Check for cracks in the cooler or junction pipes as well.

 

Since the cooler is mounted at the highest point of the lube system, no draining would be needed, and only a minimal amount would trickle out.

 

Yep! Just keep a rag handy. It will dribble a bit!

 

Thank you for all the advice guys! You were right, only a small amount of oil spilled out and changing the O-ring was a breeze but I noticed the old O-ring is not really bad--it did have a very slight flat spot on one side tho--don't know if that was causing the leak--well I guess i'll find out when I ride the bike this weknd.. Could too much oil in the motor cause it to leak from the Oil cooler flange?

 

No. Too much oil is it's own problem.

Sent from my XT1064 using Tapatalk

 

So I replaced the O-ring from the flange on the right side line of the Oil-cooler but Oil is still leaking out--very minimal but still leaking--any advice? I don't see where else it could be coming from. I did overfill the oil by half a quart, could that be the issue?

 

Siphon out the excess oil and see where that leaves you.

 

O-rings are cheap, replace it again. Oil pressure shouldn't be affected by +/- 1/;2 quart. Clean both sides of connection and install another o-ring. Use LED flashlight to inspect closely.

 

So I siphoned out the excess oil but its still leaking at the same spot--IM GONNA OPEN IT UP AND PUT SOME Honda BOND GASKET ON THE O-RING AND FLANGE AND see what happens. I just don't see where else this oil could be leaking from unless I have a hairline crack on the oil cooler or something...

 

Here are the pics of where the oil is leaking--the right side line--I replace the O ring but still leaking

 

Good photos, I do not see any oil coming from seam in cooler, but can't see back side either. Is that clean too? I would clean all around o-ring with carb cleaner and just put Honda-Bond on the flanges. But first I would take it off completely and check the flatness of the aluminum flange, the line flange is steel correct? Might be warped a hair or a defect in manufacturing.

 

Thank you man! I actually was gonna do exactly wat you said with the Honda Bond--I just hope it doesnt get mixed with the engine oil and cause more issues ya know! Yes the Line Flange is steel and yes the Aluminum does look flat..could it be that I tightened the bolt too much that it would flatten the O-ring maybe?

 

[video=youtube;vnmKn-1SyW0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnmKn-1SyW0[/video]Thank you guys for all your advice but I found where the leak is actually coming from--its at the seam of the right side line on the cooler itself! Here's a video! So im buying a new cooler

 

Just a note: Many years ago, as a Norton mechanic I had a customer's bike with a pressure leak at the head. There is an over head oil line that attaches to the head with a banjo bolt and two copper washers. That thing would leak and nothing I did would help. Finally my boss got a can of Dr. Scholls spray foot powder. We cleaned the area and dried is thoroughly. Then we sprayed on a coating of foot powder and started it up. You could see the first traces of oil as it seeped out of a casting flaw in the head. The casting crack was microscopic and located right next to the crush washer. It's a good trick but it makes a mess.

 

Your patience is admirable. You might find a used cooler at Midway Cycle in Madison, Alabama. But a used oil cooler from a cycle salvage yard sounds scary.....:numbness:

 

I would take it off, clean thoroughly, rough up metal around seam, the put a bead of J-B weld around the seam covering both side amply. This should hold you till you can find a good deal on another one. Not under a lot of mechanical stress, should hold for awhile. 0$

Where in NJ are you? I grew up in Upper Montclair.

 

new cooler is only $165 at HONDAPARTSHOUSE.COM--already ordered it.

 

I live in Clifton bro! I was gonna do the JB weld but I said Fuck it--why bother with a bandaid? My bike is practically new with only 3000 miles on it--I ordered a new oil cooler from hondapartshouse.com for only $165 bucks--and yes it is OEM from HONDA--are you still in NJ?

 

Left when I was 18, 1962! Ended up in CA!
Went to the High School on the College campus (now closed), had several classmates from Clifton.