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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Changed oil, now oil leak!
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Message started by och on 07/30/22 at 12:53:13

Title: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 12:53:13

Yesterday I did a full oil change at 4,000 miles on my 2013. I replace the filter, the spring, and both o-rings while I was at it, and used Liqui Molly 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil. When changing the oil, I noticed a bit of wetness on the bottom of the engine, but there was never a drop on my driveway, so I attributed it to possible spills from previous oil changes.

The bike sat overnight, and this morning when I got out I specifically looked on the driveway under the bike, everything was nice and dry, no drips, so I knew the oil change went well. Then I took a ride to the gym, and coming back I noticed a wet spot under the bike, maybe 2-3 square inches. I wasn't sure if it came from my bike or possibly from a car that was parked there before, so I rode the bike home, and checked in my driveway. I did discover that the cover on the left side is wet on the bottom, and I watch oil drop form down one of the screws on the bottom, and drip on my driveway - see photo attached.

Now, my bike is always parked in the same spot on my driveway, and there was never a single drop of oil. I know the oil that I used is highly regarded as one of the best oils, full synthetic German product.

I went there with my wife to help me check the oil level, and it turns out I overfilled it slightly. I couldn't get the bike perfectly upright, I used a 2.5" metal block under the kickstand to get it almost upright when filling oil, and I filled the oil exactly up to the upper line. But when my wife held the bike perfectly straight, the whole sight glass is covered. I put in exactly 2.5L of oil in there, could that be the issue?

Either way, looks like I am in need of a new gasket. Anyone have the OEM part number, of if there is a gasket that is better quality than the OEM.

http://https://i.imgur.com/UOIjJyt.jpg

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by pg on 07/30/22 at 15:13:16

I recently replaced my stator used this gasket. I got it on ebay for $12 + tax.

M-G 330765 Flywheel Stator Cover Gasket for Suzuki Savage LS650 LS 650
Seller: motorsportsgaskets

I am happy with it. I used rtv on the case and cover, ymmv.....

Best regards,

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 15:56:15

697E78747B6B190 wrote:

Does this location even get affected by the crankcase pressure if my oil is overfilled? Or is the oil making its escape into the stator housing, and leaking from there? I imagine that would be very not good.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 15:59:58

I just went around and tightened all these bolts a bit, lets see if that stops the leak.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/30/22 at 16:37:29

An irritating leak beats stripped threads or twisted off bolt every time.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 18:03:47

Yeah, well, I tried to fix it and made it a lot worse. I tightened the bolts, and went for a ride, came back, and the bolt is very slightly wet, but not dripping like it was before.

However there is another cover right next to this cover, held on by three bolts. It wasn't leaking, but I decided to tighten these bolts anyway, and when I put torque on one of the bolts, it felt kind of like i overtorqued and stripped it. Sure enough, now there is oil dripping from that bolt.

One thing I dont understand, how the hell is the oil leaking not from where the gasket is, but from the bolt heads?

http://https://i.imgur.com/nX4B2Ot.jpg

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by pg on 07/30/22 at 18:32:17

If I were you, I would clean that area the best I could. I want to know exactly where the oil is coming from. The oil always goes down so that may or may not be the visible spot where you can see it. It can be deceiving, but you can see your probably correct.

I hope you didn't strip it. I always use a 1/4 in drive on those and use finger strength only. Perhaps a bump or two making sure it wouldn't turn more than a 1/8 more. Also, go in a star pattern till you hit all the bolts a couple times.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 18:41:21

3C2B2D212E3E4C0 wrote:

It is certainly coming right from where the bolt is, which probably means the gasket is leaking internally and letting oil stream down the bolt. I wonder if I could undo the bolt and add a rubber grommet as a temporary fix.

With the new leak, if I overtorqued the bolt it probably stripped the aluminum block, not the bolt, which would royally suck.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by pg on 07/30/22 at 18:49:58

If it were me, I would order a new gasket and pulll the cover off. I would try to dix it right so I wouldn't have to go back in. I always use rtv on the engine case and the cover well. If you did strip that isn't good, but it may be fixable with a coil or time-sert. Someone will really have to know what they are doing to put that in.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/30/22 at 19:13:18

There is an oil passage that you can plug if you are not careful.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 07/30/22 at 20:28:36

I ordered the two gaskets, and I will try and replace them myself actually. I understand both the stator cover and gear shifter covers are wet locations, so am I best to drain the oil, or just lean the bike over?

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by zipidachimp on 07/30/22 at 23:02:50

In 8 years, I've never had a leak. This Spring, I had the exhaust off and and footpegs loosened, decided to change the oil for a new season. Next morning, a small pool of oil under the bike, no obvious reason.
Then I thought, the top footpeg bolt goes through the cases, if I tighten the bolt it should squeeze the cases a bit. Did that, success, no more leaks.
Makes ya think......! Or was I lucky?
Cheers! 8-)

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by pg on 07/31/22 at 13:19:05

2529224A0 wrote:

I'm guessing you have not gone in before. You will need to drain the oil, keep it upright and shake it a bit till all the oil is out. Once the cover is off you need to scape all the old gasket off the cover and the case. It is hard to get it all off, a small wood chisel worked well for me. A screw driver really isn't sharp enough and you can't reach everything with a razor blade. You will need to thoroughly clean the rubber grommet and cover where the stator cables come out. I used alcohol and cotton pads & q-tips. You'll need to put in a little rtv where the grommet sits as well as around it on both sides. You'll need to put rtv on the case and cover. Finger tighten the bolts and let it sit for a couple minutes then tighten accordingly in a star pattern. Pull up a video and check it out before you go in.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 08/10/22 at 17:38:22

Been riding for the last couple weeks, no more leaks. Nothing dripping, the bolts are not even wet anymore. Maybe ever so slightly overfilled and the pressure pushed out what it pushed out, and now its fine? Keeping my fingers crossed.

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/11/22 at 09:59:47

If you have checked your oil and it's full,dandy

Title: Re: Changed oil, now oil leak!
Post by och on 08/21/22 at 17:57:20

Its been dripping again, particularly after a ride when the engine is hot, it spill a few drops almost right away. When the engine is cold, it can be sitting for a whole day, not a single drop. I think I will try this tomorrow.

https://youtu.be/IhjKnVgmjsg