Guess the leak source

2003, 20k miles. Sorry for fuzziness, it’s cold out there.

Several years ago she was tipped over by a runaway car causing the cover fins damage but never leaked and there are no cracks or penetrating damage.

I couldn’t find the source of the leak so I added a few drops of up dye to help (hence the green oil deposit). Took her for a 20 mile ride and when I got home my right boot was a little wet near the sole. As I checked, it seemed to be fairly wet at the oil line inlet to the pan. But that made no sense because the oil isn’t going to blow 6” or so forward of it, right? It has not been repaired yet, I’m hoping what I do tomorrow fixes it but even this fix seems it’d have to be a secondary issue to this actual issue. So give me your thoughts on airflow within the fairings.



As I searched and searched, nope not the filter leaking and blowing back.

I happened to lay my head on the pavement in frustration when I glimpse that the bottom of the pan is soaked in oil. I crawl over to the left side and found the oil pan bolt is wet to the point a drip is hanging from the hex head center. I had reused the crush washer a second time as I had in the past so I’m assuming it needs replaced.

My question is can anyone imagine a leak there making its way to the right side cover? Is the air turbulent enough in the fairings to cause this? The left side barely has any oil evidence and my left boot is clean.

I’m guessing not and it’s probably the gasket or washers on the cover itself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

First off, you need to get the lower fairings off and take a better look. Sometimes the cleanest spot is where the leak is. If not obvious with engine running, then spritz it all down with alcohol to get rid of most of the oil, then spray with say a foot powder. Run the engine and see if that reveals it.

 

Baby powder, he needs the foot powder for his oily foot. Joking aside, yeh what he said ^ wind can do some seriously strange stuff with leaks. Die was a good idea.

 

Ooops, I forgot the bike is his baby, LOL.

 

Will do, and I’ll report back. Once darkness falls.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Fairings off, everything cleaned. I have not replaced the crush washer yet, I did tighten bolt 1/8 turn.

Started her, let her idle to temp, took her around the block never left first so she’d get up into v-tech a bit.

Now we wait until dark.

I did notice the right oil line is saturated at the braided area just before entering pan. Only wetness on cooler line is there and below it. I’m assuming under the braid is a crimped in rubber coupling?

That may be where it’s leaking, bike is 18yrs old after all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Not repaired yet, but it is solved. Took her for a longer ride today and well, the pic says it all. O-ring on CC bolt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I assumed there was an oring under the bolt but I don’t see any in parts breakdown or service manual. Am I wrong and it’s just a shoulder bolt with no seal beyond the crankcase cover gasket?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

no that bolt normally only has a gasket.

 

Tightened it, she was able to turn 1/4 easily. A few next to her (all lower) were also able to turn 1/4 while the uppers were all tight. Cleaned, took another ride, still leaking. Time for a crank case gasket I guess. Booooo! Only 20k miles (I know 18yrs old, let me complain, sheesh).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

yep sometimes a little bit of TLC goes a long way.

 

Just wanted to update in case anyone else encounters this same issue.

I did buy the paper gasket but when I opened the case the old paper gasket was a nightmare to scrape off. I soaked it and scrapped it off with a plastic non-marring razor blade.

Because of that hassle I ended up using oil safe ultra black Permatex gasket maker instead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk