Oil Leaks

[WaltH]

I have found a couple of oil leaks on the engine proper. One is on the backside of the rear cylinder and the other is on the front side of the forward cylinder. The rear leak is not very serious at this time, but the forward leak is puddling in the lower frame. I don't know the exact origin, but one of them could be a base gasket leak.

Since oil leaks are not acceptable, long-term, I am in a quandary. Fixing the leaks will no doubt require some disassembly of the engine, which I would want done under the warranty. However, I do not have confidence in the technicians at my home dealer to do this sort of thing. The technicians whom I trust are not employed at a Spyder dealership.

I don't want the cure to be worse than the disease, and I don't want to end up in a situation like Deb and Brian. Having my Spyder down for repair for more than a few days would be more than I could handle. I view any disassembly of my engine as a very serious matter.

Since I don't know how to handle this problem, I will kick the can down the road for now.

 

[Recluze]

I feel your pain. It took two months and a complete engine removal to have ALL gaskets changed. When I got it back it leaked worse than when I started. Another replacement of the rear valve cover gasket seemed to fix that. Now I have low oil pressure and an engine surge to deal with. Carlo has been called in and I am hopeful. And I have every confidence in my dealer service.


Not that you are asking for advice, but I would live with it. Report it to Carlo and live with it. It is better to have a good running, oil leaking Spyder than the inverse situation.

Unbelievably, I think we are the only two with oil leaks. Or high expectations.

Good luck.

 

[groundeffect]

I have found a couple of oil leaks on the engine proper. One is on the backside of the rear cylinder and the other is on the front side of the forward cylinder. The rear leak is not very serious at this time, but the forward leak is puddling in the lower frame. I don't know the exact origin, but one of them could be a base gasket leak.

Since oil leaks are not acceptable, long-term, I am in a quandary. Fixing the leaks will no doubt require some disassembly of the engine, which I would want done under the warranty. However, I do not have confidence in the technicians at my home dealer to do this sort of thing. The technicians whom I trust are not employed at a Spyder dealership.

I don't want the cure to be worse than the disease, and I don't want to end up in a situation like Deb and Brian. Having my Spyder down for repair for more than a few days would be more than I could handle. I view any disassembly of my engine as a very serious matter.

Since I don't know how to handle this problem, I will kick the can down the road for now.

Sorry to hear of the oil leaks. How many miles do you have on your Spyder?


From what I've heard, for the best results, it's a good idea to report it to BRP, Carlo.

Cheers and good luck with your quest and please feel free to keep us updated on the progress.

 

[boborgera]

I know this advice will raise allot of comments but here go's.:shocked:
Go get a can of OIL SEALER try that first, it works on small gasket leaks.
It's the Caveman repair. I learned to do things that way when i was i kid.
My garage was the streets of Brooklyn, You had to work fast and simple. And spending money, Well we didn't have much back then

 

[sabunim5]

I know this advice will raise allot of comments but here go's.:shocked:
Go get a can of OIL SEALER try that first, it works on small gasket leaks.
It's the Caveman repair. I learned to do things that way when i was i kid.
My garage was the streets of Brooklyn, You had to work fast and simple. And spending money, Well we didn't have much back then

Sorry: I can't help myself, First Comment: It may be so easy a caveman can do it, but don't. Putting oil sealer in your engine could become an excuse to refuse a warranty claim. IMHO. :chat:

 

[M2Wild]

Sorry: I can't help myself, First Comment: It may be so easy a caveman can do it, but don't. Putting oil sealer in your engine could become an excuse to refuse a warranty claim. IMHO. :chat:

:agree: If the leak is small enough and hard to pin point and fix, I'd elect to live with it and check oil level more often and top off as necessary. It is often too easy to make a small problem too big to handle too quickly.

 

[krb1945]

No matter what you decide...

be sure and show it to your dealer. Make sure he documents it.

If you take the side covers off and the tank top shell I am sure you will be able to find where the leak originates. Be sure to check the bottom of the air box first though sometimes the oil on the engine is blow by from the crankcase via the crank case vent tube on the left side through the airbox. It puddles in the air box until there is enough to drain out a little hole.

Also finding the leak yourself is half of getting it corrected quicker at the dealer. If they know where to look the job gets done first time. /Ken

 

[irish2themax]

I have found a couple of oil leaks on the engine proper. One is on the backside of the rear cylinder and the other is on the front side of the forward cylinder. The rear leak is not very serious at this time, but the forward leak is puddling in the lower frame. I don't know the exact origin, but one of them could be a base gasket leak.

Never bothered Harleys :roflblack:

 

[WaltH]

be sure and show it to your dealer. Make sure he documents it.

If you take the side covers off and the tank top shell I am sure you will be able to find where the leak originates. Be sure to check the bottom of the air box first though sometimes the oil on the engine is blow by from the crankcase via the crank case vent tube on the left side through the airbox. It puddles in the air box until there is enough to drain out a little hole.

Also finding the leak yourself is half of getting it corrected quicker at the dealer. If they know where to look the job gets done first time. /Ken

There is no oil in my airbox. I have been using the Kuryakyn catchcan for the crankcase breather since almost the very beginning with this Spyder. On my first Spyder I did not have a catchcan and as a result I had oil splattered all over the front of the engine which came from the drain holes in the airbox. On this Spyder the inside of the airbox is dry.

Finding the leaks myself is good advice. I will put the effort into finding the exact point at which the oil exits the engine, if possible. Knowing where the oil exits the engine will also tell me a lot about what kind of repair would be needed. I will then get the dealer to document my findings.

 

[krb1945]

My dealer is good...

I use the Interstate Honda / BRP in Lake City FL and they are right beside interstate 75 and have done a good job for us. So if you are ever in this area and need something look them up. Their phone number is [ 3867582453 ]

/Ken