| Author | Message | ||
     Leeaw |
Got my new XB yesterday and rode home from the dealership, when I realized a small amount of oil on the exhaust on the right side of the bike. Seems to be coming from the forwardmost fitting on the oil cooler. The bike had 11 miles on it when I picked it up and they did test ride it. I cannot tighten the fitting anymore, so it seems it may be bad. It is nothing more than a weep. Should I still ride it, as they have my M2 in for service? edited by leeaw on September 11, 2003 | ||
| Darthane |
I doubt a leak that small would hurt anything. Make sure you check your oil level often, though, and only ride it if it's not possible that it can get on the tire. Check a service manual as well and see if perhaps those fittings are supposed to get special treatment and didn't. | ||
| Leeaw |
I don't have a service manual yet, but I think it is leaking where the oil line enters the fitting. Obviously I am not going to remove the oil line to see, so I guess I will just run back up. Just hate to put highway break-in miles. BTW, is it me or is the fuel injection so far superior to my carb'ed M2? I can't get enough of this bike and I am watching my kids all weekend while my wife works (sigh!). | ||
| Apex1 |
Remove the fitting & replace it using teflon tape. I know of at least 3 people who had a similar leak & repaired it as described. | ||
| Leeaw |
But then I have to drain the earl. The dealer said they would drop what they are doing and take a look if I stopped off, and being confined to Mr. Mom duties and beautiful weather, I may have to take the ride. | ||
| Freyke |
I had the same thing/issue with mine when new... They are not tightening the comresssion fittings on the oil lines enough.... put a wrench on them all... you will have to remove the oil filter to get at them all..... Once tightend I leak no more.... Seems to be a fairly common problem on new bikes.... It something the dealers should prob add to their "new arrivals" check sheets.... | ||
| Leeaw |
If you are suggesting trying to tighten the offending fitting on the oil cooler, it is as tight as it will go. You think the compression fitting is just not seated right? | ||
| Gearhead |
As far as the "new arrivals" checks my guys, Jim, J.J. and Reese at HDCC/Buell in Waterloo can tell you all about the oil leaking problem faced by new XB12 owners!!! Don't get me wrong, guys, I've built enough hot rods to know how nerve racking it is to put engines and transmissions together, then fire them for the first time and watch with worry hoping you remembered to tighten every fastener and clamp but Buell has to do better!! My XB12R started bleeding after 26 miles and my service guys have been slowing pulling their hair out until just the other day over what caused it. Some ham fisted Harley employee in Milwaukee who put my engine together over tightened one of the starter bolts, stripping the threads which caused and almost undetectable leak that drained around the case and almost looked like there was a sealing problem between the cases. This leak detection was complicated by the fact it only leaked when the engine got hot . In three trips to service the guys Teflon taped the drain plug which leaked, retorque all the covers, some of which were lose and rerouted the trans vent until they found the real culprit, the starter. I really appreciate their patience and hard work in on this at at no time did I feel put off, in fact Doug even jumped in. Craig helped me get a loaner XB9 while the bike was down so the guys at HDCC/Buell really know what customer service is!! But the fact of the matter is, ERIK, take control of your engine construction!!!! After visiting the factory on the 20th. I was very impressed with the level of enthusiasm from all the employees and I've got to believe if you did your engines in house the number of problems would be substantially be reduced!! The guy who built my engine in Milwaukee who probably can't even pronounce Buell could cares less about these engines because it not a REAL Harley. This is to say nothing about the other guy who misaligned the cam sensor on my XB so after 24 hours it wouldn't idle below 2000 rpm and started dying at every stop sign. The guys in service had to replace every part associated with this component because it was so screwed up! Again, nothing Buell factory guys did!! Again, ERIK, take control of your powerplants!! Sorry guys, I've been holding this in since I bought the bike the last Saturday of August!! I don't mean to rant because I've built some things as I mentioned and I understand it and I've also got a GREAT dealership behind me but there are a lot of potential customers out there that would not deal well with this kind of thing. Buell has to do better than it's competitors. By the way, Dave worked his butt off to get me one of the first red XB12R in the state but why did a dealership in Alaska have an XB12R before arguably one of the top selling Buell dealers have to wait over a month for their first one??? Again, ERIK, take a look at this!! What's the incentive to sell these bikes if you can't or won't supply your top dealers?? This is unheard of in the import bike business. Buell has to do better!! In closing, I had the opportunity to visit with Erik at length last summer and his enthusiasm is infectious. The bike’s performance is outstanding, having had an M2 as comparison, but these things will continue to haunt this company unless the boss really looks into them. I’ve loved the two Buells I’ve owned and I’ll continue to support this brand which is why I’m ranting, I just want to see Buells get better and receive the credit for innovation and design they really deserve!!! It’s late now, I’m going to bed... | ||
| Dynarider |
I doubt a leak that small would hurt anything. Make sure you check your oil level often, though, and only ride it if it's not possible that it can get on the tire. Sorry Darth, but I find that answer completely off base. There is simply no reason a new bike should leak, nor should a new customer expect it to. Get it right the first time & fix it. | ||
| Darthane |
Dyna, I wasn't implying that it was CORRECT for it to be leaking, just that until he can get it fixed it shouldn't be a ride-stopping problem. Of course it shouldn't leak, he just wanted to know if it meant he shouldn't ride it. If it's just a small weep and it won't reach the tire, then I personally don't think he's going to hurt anything other than that beautiful coating on the muffler until he can get it fixed. | ||
| Leeaw |
It was not really enough to make me worry, but it was trailing back towards the rear and I didn't feel like sliding around on new tires. Took off the chin fairing and tightened it up. I do agree that either someone at the factory does not know how to use a wrench, or there is some expansion/contraction thing going on that causes this. | ||
| Darthane |
Most likely the former. My bike's seen plenty of use through over 14K miles and no leaks. | ||
| Freyke |
It's a factory QA issue.... That needs to be addressed.... kk//kef | ||
| Dynarider |
I wasn't implying that it was CORRECT for it to be leaking, just that until he can get it fixed it shouldn't be a ride-stopping problem Ahhh, I see now. I thought perhaps you were going to start being one of those old school Harley types where if the bike leaks so what. Its marking its spot  Any leaks I have had on my bike get fixed asap. And like you pointed out, unless its a gusher Im riding it. | ||
| Darthane |
Shoot my Blast coated me in oil a couple times. Once after it was fixed, due to Spidey's -=cough=- attentions.  Silly paper rocker box gaskets...the XB's been bulletproof so far in regard to leaks. | ||
| Leeaw |
Washed and waxed it, rode it up to the dealer to order some parts. No leaks when I get there. The service tech said he would just snug them up but I didn't want to leave the bike. When I get home. same spot dripping again. Guess I will just switch it when my M2 is done in service. Still love it after 130 miles. |
