Bike has slow oil leak

[keithaba]

O.k. My FJR has been burning some oil on the exhaust during the last few months. It's not enough to make a noticeable change in the oil level. I don't know how to figure out where the oil is coming from, so I took some pictures, and can describe where the mass of oil spunk is built up.

I then cleaned as much of the oil spooge as I could, so I could try to identify where this stuff is coming from. After coming back from a ride, I find a small drop or two on the floor of the garage every time.

The center stand and the kickstand are nasty!

It was really bad around the left side hinge of the center stand. There is none of this stuff on the right side of the bike and undercarriage. Only on the left.

This is a view from the right side of the bike. Behind these breather hoses was the worst accumulation of oil spunk. It was literally falling off in chunks.

So I cleaned all this funk off, to the best of my ability. Anyone have any have a problem like this or have suggestions as to how I should proceed?

 

[Ignacio]

It seems in the pictures to be coming more straight down than it would seem to be from the front of the engine to the rear of the engine.

Two thoughts I have is:

1) Something related to the front U-joint or drive shaft. Maybe Skooter's half-moon thingy...that I can't quite find.

2) Perhaps open up the airbox and see if you see any oil inside. First swing....probably some better ones to follow.

 

[un4gvn]

If you can't find the leak, clean the entire area with some contact or brake cleaner. Then spray the area with foot powder from an aerosol can (readily available at most drug stores). Go ride and look for the wet spot. Works pretty good for me.

 

[FJstaR]

Eeeeeoooowww....I'd degrease and reinspect after a short run but meanwhile somebody else on this forum will probably know just by looking at your pictures. Great before shot...

 

[RoadGlide]

That powder and wet spot thing reminds me, oh never mind.

 

[keithaba]

Iggy, will check air filter tomorrow, but I'm fairly certain that's clean. (checked about 1000 miles ago, been leaking longer than that).

Contact brake cleaner huh, that might have saved me 2 hours of scrubbing with a rag and simple green!

Now that it is all clean, I will go for a run, then try to get some pictures immediately after to see where the leak is coming from.

 

[FJstaR]

Spray powder sounds like a good idea. :clapping:

 

[madmike2]

Go to the Yamaha Online Parts Catalog, check under "Middle Gear". I'm betting on this: 93102-25004-00 OIL SEAL . Its the oil seal behind the "half-moon-thingy" that Matt mentioned, the cover at therear of the engine & front of the driveline.

Y'see, Keith, its the cumulative effect from those infamous wheelstands and burnouts.

 

[FJRay]

My 03 had the same symptoms twice. It was the oring behind the seal where the final drive exits the engine case. the book says to install it dry so thats what the dealer did and it leaked again so the second time they used a little silicone and its been fine since.

The **** part is that the engine needs to move foward to get the bolts out of the seal carrier.

 

[Jagermeister]

This leak didn't happen to begin shortly after your attempted launch off Mitchell Hill, did it?

 

[S76]

That thing is so dirty it should be labeled NWS!

Take off that part of the bike that the shift lever goes behing and is hooked to, and take of the plastic cover that goes around the front universal joint. Then clean the bike. You will then (probably) find the middle gear output shaft seal is bad. In other words, the front of the driveshaft where it comes out of the engine.

That doesn't look like a new leak, and it doesn't look like a little leak either. This thing is approaching Valdez catagory.

 

[FJstaR]

(Size) and beauty is in the eyes of the beholder

 

[dcarver]

Buy a Harley! They don't leak ANY oil!

 

[keithaba]

This leak didn't happen to begin shortly after your attempted launch off Mitchell Hill, did it?

No attempt there, all success!

Well I certainly hope it's not what FJRay had on his bike. That doesn't sound cheap, or like something I'm about to do in my garage.

Suggestions already gave me more of a clue than I had before posting. Now that it's all clean, I'm going to attempt to isolate where the oil is actually coming out of, get some pictures, and go from there.

this sux..... :angry:

 

[Old Michael]

Good luck brother. Better now than in the spring.

 

[keithaba]

Go to the Yamaha Online Parts Catalog, check under "Middle Gear". I'm betting on this: 93102-25004-00 OIL SEAL . Its the oil seal behind the "half-moon-thingy" that Matt mentioned, the cover at therear of the engine & front of the driveline.
Y'see, Keith, its the cumulative effect from those infamous wheelstands and burnouts.

Mike, the more I look at it, it looks like that may certainly be the location of the leak. I am really hoping that's all it is too, because disassembling the middle gear looks like a serious pain in the ass.

 

[IndianaTom]

I always ask, will my extended warranty fix this?

In the case of my 2002 S-10, no. That warranty won't do nuttin' for no oil leaks. Not the rear main, the oil pan, nor the valve cover.... cheap ass used car warranty.

 

[madmike2]

Mike, the more I look at it, it looks like that may certainly be the location of the leak. I am really hoping that's all it is too, because disassembling the middle gear looks like a serious pain in the ass.

Keith, Link to Bounce's site where he does the forward U-joint service. IIRC, you must loosen the engine mount bolts and slide the engine forward to get the cover off to replace the seal.

BUT, let's wait and see if that IS the problem. I'm crossing my fingers for you.

 

[tyronewildman]

If it's the seal leaking & it's easy to change it (& this one's not easy) then change it. You might want to try a bottle of "Bearin' Seal" in your oil. 12oz yellow plastic bottle is a Gunk product from most auto parts stores. The instructions caution you to not use it if you live in California-just maybe it'll cause the rats & mice in your garage to get cancer.

Later,,,De