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Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:05 pm
by mike916sp
Anyone got any ideas how to solve this one easily without taking the engine out.
Picture below shows underside of engine about 500 miles since the last clean underneath. I've checked torques on balance shaft cover bolts and all ok. Could oil be leaking through/past a bolt if gasket sealant not sealing correctly?
Would removing bolts and smearing sealant on bolt shaft solve problem?
Oil is not from exhaust headers!!

Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 5:08 pm
by Luders
the oil looks rather mucky. Are you sure it's transmission oil?
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 11:56 am
by mike916sp
Think so. The oil leaking is quite runny with no tacky feeling like you get with two stroke residue. But I agree it does look mucky
The gearbox oil is has probably done about a thousand miles and still looks clean.
The headers are sealed to the barrels with new gaskets with sealant both sides of the gasket so no oil leaks past them. I also seal the exhaust to the headers so there is no chance the oil is coming from the exhaust/barrels area.
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 12:56 pm
by Luders
So in answer to your first question, I don't think it will solve your problem, but you can try.
The problem with the balance shaft casing is you need to get the water pipe out the way to get at it and to get the water pipe off, you need to remove the clutch inner casing, so it's a bit of a pain to address this issue.
I use three bond on all my case mating surfaces when I assemble an engine.
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Sun Oct 27, 2013 1:25 pm
by mike916sp
Thanks for that advice Luders. I will try first with sealant on the off chance it stops it or maybe try a thin copper washer on the suspect bolt.
If not then its engine out and a bit of a strip to get to the casing and seal it up properly. Never mind - not a difficult job and something else to keep me occupied over winter
I also always use three bond on all faces but the balance shaft casing is one I havn't touched since I bought the bike. Still got to be done. It's always leaked since I bought it but finally getting round to doing something about it as I'm fed up with oil on the pipes and in the belly pan

Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:51 am
by kghost
Sorry to drag up an old thread.....
Can you get that off without removing the engine?
I seem to have a slight weep in the same area.....
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 7:41 am
by 500bernie
Yes, you can take off the inner clutch cover with the motor in the frame

Then you can take off the water pipe and balance cover.
Good luck

Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:06 am
by kghost
Thanks Bernie
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:43 am
by 500bernie

Seems like a long time ago......
Hope you solve your oil leak

Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 9:52 pm
by kghost
Have to order a gasket set before I even attempt that.
Re: Where's the oil coming from?
Posted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 10:57 pm
by 500bernie
Don't forget the "O" rings for the water pipe
The last thing you want is to fix the oil leak and create a water leak
