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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Oil leak from right side cover?
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Message started by civilsavage on 09/02/13 at 17:31:22

Title: Oil leak from right side cover?
Post by civilsavage on 09/02/13 at 17:31:22

I detailed my recent Savage purchase here (http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1377742700), along with my initial ride impressions.

On Saturday, I took it for a longer journey to Pennsylvania, about 230 miles for the day, which included much freeway jousting at 70+.

This is probably the first time the bike has been run hard in a while. The guy I bought it from told me that he had changed the oil and filter prior to selling it. I don't recall him mentioning anything about the right side cover gasket.

After riding about 100 miles or so, I took a break and noticed some oil seepage from the right side cover, near where the oil level sight glass is located. It was a small amount, just enough to spray some droplets onto the exhaust pipe, and making a bit of a mess which I wiped off as best I could.

I kept a close eye on it the rest of the way, and it seemed to stop, as I did not see any more spray onto the pipe.

After arriving at my destination, I put the bike away. When I went back later that evening to have a look, there were a few drops of oil on the floor underneath. I cleaned that, plus the bike (as I had found a thunderstorm or two along the way). The next day there was no further dripping.

My working assumption is that, from sitting for a year or so, that right-sided gasket got dried out, and leaked a bit when the bike was run hard. If so, shouldn't be a worry until I change oil again, when I should replace the gasket to be sure.

Alternatively, I suppose that someone changing the oil may have misdone the gasket in some fashion.

Or, is this a truly bad sign that needs immediate attention? I estimate the total amount lost at less than a half teaspoon, and it seems to have stopped on its own, although I haven't run it since then.

Title: Re: Oil leak from right side cover?
Post by Serowbot on 09/02/13 at 17:43:33

I doubt it's anything bad... maybe coming from the neutral sensor?... or the clutch lever?...

I'd keep an eye on it,... it might stop on it's own... (stranger things have happened)...

Clean real good and see if you can spot the exact leak point... ;)...

Title: Re: Oil leak from right side cover?
Post by WD on 09/02/13 at 17:52:21

Neutral sensor for sure, mine has leaked there since it was new. Packing the sensor wiring pass through with silicone should stop it if it bothers you. Since the bike is an imitation English style thumper, I let mine keep its all too real English made any engine regardless of style leaks. ;)

Title: Re: Oil leak from right side cover?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 09/02/13 at 19:38:51

IF its not the sensor wires, then a Bareloy loose cover bolt.. IIRC, 8 mm..
TRy snugging the cover bolts, BUT remember, a tiny leak is easier to deal with than stripped threads/broken bolts.

Title: Re: Oil leak from right side cover?
Post by civilsavage on 09/03/13 at 03:38:25

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll check the neutral sensor for sure.