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Dynasport
| Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2011 - 11:13 pm: |
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I have a 2010 XT with 9000 miles on it. It has been completely trouble free and a blast to ride. A major project at work has given me little to no time to ride for the last two months, but things have finally slowed down and I went for a ride with a friend today for the first time in a long time. I told my GPS to get me from Tampa to Daytona Beach and avoid major highways. The ride took me on some roads I didn't even know existed and it was the most relaxed I have been in months. On a rest break sitting on the curb drinking a cup of coffee I noticed what looks like an oil leak (really just seeping) where the cases seal at the rear of the bottom end. I am sorry I can't explain it with more accurate terms, but I am not that familiar with the engine. I can take a picture and post it tomorrow. If you can figure out what I am talking about, could someone let me know how big a deal this is. The bike is still under warranty, and I will take it in, but the dealership I prefer is 200 miles away. Does this sound like something where they will have to keep my bike a few days or longer, or can this be fixed on in a day so I can ride it up and wait for it? Will they be likely to have the needed parts (gaskets I assume) or will they likely have to order them? Finally, is this a common problem or I am just lucky? Thanks Dan |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 09:55 am: |
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If it's the vertical seal along the engine centerline, it's not a wait job. The WHOLE engine comes apart for the cases to be split. That said...they used a liquid (RTV-like) gasket on that (case-halves) seal surface. Looking "wet" is not unusual, and not always a sign of an actual leak. My '06 has looked wet there since day one, but hasn't dripped a drop. |
Mikef5000
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 10:19 am: |
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My 09 is in for warranty work for oil leakage/seepage as well. The majority is behind the rear jug, On the flat spot on top of the tranny. I had a couple other seepy spots, so I just dropped it off. Unless it's simply a rocker box gasket, I don't think you're going to be able to wait. |
Unravels
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 12:47 pm: |
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Mine did that and it turns out to be a leaky seal on the stator. It leaked onto the transmissions shelf and then down the back of the motor. Look at the rear cylinder valve cover gasket first, if no leak there, look for a wet spot under the starter. If its not leaking from the base gasket it is likely the stator harness. Fun stuff, get it in while its still under warranty. |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 03:51 pm: |
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Best thing to do is clean it off thoroughly, run it for a while, and then try to pinpoint the source. I haven't heard of the seam in the cases on an XB leaking yet, but it's possible. More likely candidates are starter gasket, seal where the stator wires leave the primary case (in the same general area as the starter), rear cylinder base gasket, or rear rocker cover gasket. Starter gasket or stator wire seal is an easy less than one day job. Cylinder base gasket or rocker cover gasket might take them a full day. Seal between the case halves is probably a 2 or 3 day job. The gaskets on these bikes generally are pretty leak-proof as long as you don't run them hard when they're cold. Universal wisdom is to let the bike run for a while before riding off and then take it easy for the first few miles while the engine parts come up to temp. Hammering a cold air-cooled engine is a sure path to leaks. Good luck! |
Dynasport
| Posted on Sunday, January 30, 2011 - 11:02 pm: |
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Thanks guys. Not what I wanted to hear, but it was what I expected. It's about time for the 10,000 mile service anyway, so I think I will let the dealership diagnose and repair the leak since it is under warranty. |
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