| Author | Message | ||
     Deltablue |
So I get to work today and the top and front of the primary case is rather covered in oil. Immediate thought would be primary gasket, any other thoughts? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Can you tell if it is primary fluid, or engine oil, perhaps by smell? If you are using formula+, it stinks. That could help you distinguish between primary leaks and rocker box leaks. This is an XB, so I would also look really close at oil cooler and fittings. | ||
| Teeps |
If engine oil, Oil cooler. If primary fluid, clutch cable. I've never seen a side case gasket on any brand engine spontaneously leak... no I don't think the primary cover gasket is the problem. | ||
| Deltablue |
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| Teeps |
Well certainly not the clutch cable. Or the oil cooler. Clean it, ride some then inspect for leak source. | ||
| Deltablue |
after some reading I'm wondering if ti may be the starter gasket? | ||
| Hughlysses |
The starter gasket (on the "back" side of the primary) is known to leak occasionally, but it would have to be leaking VERY badly to spew oil forward like that. Can you look from the other side of the engine and see if oil is all over the top of the transmission area of the engine cases (below the starter)? I wouldn't write off the oil cooler as a possible source yet- it could be one of the fittings or hoses. That much oil looks like it must have come out under pressure. I agree with Teeps, clean it well with Simple Green or similar, idle a while and check it; if source is still not obvious, take it for a short ride and check again. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Take the scoop off for more visibility, too. Oil has a way to travel without showing a distinct trail sometimes. I agree with Hughlysses, doesn't usually travel up and forward. More like down and back. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
What is that zip tied to the frame above the primary? | ||
| Ramman4x4 |
Easiest method is to track down an oil leak is to clean the area up, cover it with talcum or baby powder and take the bike for a short ride. The powder will absorb the oil show the oil leak origin. | ||
| Phelan |
Dan, I believe that's the wires to the VR on 08-up bikes, but I could be wrong. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Check to make sure a fork seal didn't blow and send oil back onto your engine during your ride to work. | ||
| Arry |
Rocker cover gasket(s)? I haven't heard of one making a mess in that area, but i guess it depends on what part of the gasket/gaskets are leaking. Leaking up above, draining down the sides of the cylinders and accumulating on the primary cover...? | ||
| Mnrider |
Best way to find it is to add leak dye to the oil,ride it and use a black light. Looks like it's coming from higher up like rocker cover gasket. | ||
| Deltablue |
Thanks, I replaced the rocker cover gaskets. Put everything back together. Now it won's start. The fuel pump runs, it turns over, just no ignition. I replaced the plugs while I had it out, I'm going to check the plug wires and try again. Any other thoughts? | ||
| Arry |
The plug wires are a good thing to recheck. I've had trouble getting them on all the way and the connector "clicked" on the top of the plug. A couple of years ago, I did a rotation and had a rag in the intake (to keep dirt out). I forgot the rag when I was buttoning everything up, and of course it wouldn't run. Fouled my new plugs. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Check the big braided stainless steel cable that is a ground strap from the motor to the frame. It goes along a heim joint up under the airbox. It is really easy for the loose end of it to get tucked up somewhere when rotating the engine back up, so you forget to put it back across and hook it to the motor again. Your starter then doesn't have a good path to ground. DAMHIK. it is also pretty common to get broken (internally) wires where the wire bundle from under the flyscreen goes under the frame. Rotating the engine down and back up could easily aggravate this problem. Take apart the bundle and run each wire through your fingers, you can feel it pretty easily if the internal metal conductor is cracked. DAMHIK. And if it's been a while, your battery may be dead. DAMHIK. (You learn from making mistakes. I've learned a LOT.  ) | ||
| Deltablue |
Thanks Reep, I replaced the battery as well. So I think that is good. As i said before, fuel pump runs, she cranks, no ignition. I'm left with no fuel or no spark as near as I can figure. | ||
| Deltablue |
So I get no spark. Since there are few issues with coils, I'm leaning towards ground. | ||
| Sagehawk |
how bout bas? the cps? |
