Oil leak on left side of engine - Troubles continue!

[Snowbelt Spyder]

In the second picture, where you see the word OUT, is this the location? If so, then two things come to mind - there is an o-ring where the oil tube meets the engine block. If you think that could be it. It looks like that area right above the drip.

However, the most likely source of leakage in this area is from the o-ring in the oil filter cap. Are the screws tight enough? O-ring missing or damaged?

Otherwise, the second thought goes back a few years. The filter cap screws for the HCM oil filter and the engine oil filter, while they are the same thread and head size, are different lengths. The HCM screws are 5mm longer. If, during an oil change, one or both screws are swapped, those longer screws may bottom out in the engine filter cap holes and not adequately tighten down on the filter cap o-ring. So, they feel tight enough, but they aren't squeezing the o-ring tight enough. So then, oil seeps around the o-ring and migrates to wherever it wants to go. I've never actually tested that, but it was mentioned on here many moons ago. After that, I always practiced the policy of only removing one filter at a time. See what you think.

 

[ARtraveler]

Well, this isn't going to be fun.

I contacted the dealer today for a followup on the oil leak issue and was informed that it was the valve cover gasket leaking on the rear cylinder.

Spyder is still under the B.E.S.T. coverage, however, the dealer must first wait for BRP to actually formally approve the repair under warranty before the first nut or bolt is removed, Then, after approval, the parts must be ordered and then the wait for them to arrive. Then, if something else is discovered amiss during the repair, more waiting for BRP approval and parts to arrive.

Then, they can start repairing.

I cringe at the fact that it may be a complex and time consuming affair to actually remove and properly replace all the parts without screwing something up - knowing how tight and cramped everything is under the tupperware. The few times that they have done any repair work in the past has resulted in missing or broken clips or screws not being installed completely.

Has anyone had any experience with this kind of repair, and if so, am I worrying needlessly over nothing? And, I am sure the Spyder is sitting out in the parking lot uncovered in the elements while they wait for BRP. (normally lives in the garage).

Been there, done that. After a "valve check" service, dealer "forgot" to replace the gasket. It leaked all over. I brought it back to them and they had to fix it on their dime. You have BEST warranty, that too, will be on their dime. The tear down for valve check is close to $1000. Be glad its not your pocket book.

 

[ARNIE R]

In the second picture, where you see the word OUT, is this the location? If so, then two things come to mind - there is an o-ring where the oil tube meets the engine block. If you think that could be it. It looks like that area right above the drip.

However, the most likely source of leakage in this area is from the o-ring in the oil filter cap. Are the screws tight enough? O-ring missing or damaged?

Otherwise, the second thought goes back a few years. The filter cap screws for the HCM oil filter and the engine oil filter, while they are the same thread and head size, are different lengths. The HCM screws are 5mm longer. If, during an oil change, one or both screws are swapped, those longer screws may bottom out in the engine filter cap holes and not adequately tighten down on the filter cap o-ring. So, they feel tight enough, but they aren't squeezing the o-ring tight enough. So then, oil seeps around the o-ring and migrates to wherever it wants to go. I've never actually tested that, but it was mentioned on here many moons ago. After that, I always practiced the policy of only removing one filter at a time. See what you think.

I always do the two filter covers separately. However, Both are tight and clean around their perimeters. I'm gonna have to look a little closer. Right now, aside from where it is collecting, I can't actually determine where the oil may be coming from other than the fact that the drops are there and eventually end up collecting along the lower left frame/cover panel area.

I know after the dealer did the valve cover gasket repairs, they did clean up most of the residual oil on the engine components and I went in afterwards and spot cleaned every nook and cranny I could get into, so everything was looking good. I had been frequently monitoring the area with a flashlite every week or so by looking into the cut-out where the shift linkage arm is and did not notice anything until the other day, so I am going with the concept that this is very recent.

Further investigation is in order.

 

[ARNIE R]

Well, I have a mess. The Spyder will definitely be going back to the dealer, much as I hate to do so.

Pulled both the left and right lower cover panels today. Double - checked everything for tightness again on the left side and found no new apparent issues.

The right side, however, was a mess. Found more oil drops and obvious oil all over the front, right side and lower portion of the engine. The appearance was similar to what one would see if spraying a liquid from a spray bottle, not dripping, but obviously wet. Inside of the right bottom cover panel was also wet and stained.

Also noticed small two drops on the right side of green coolant mixed with the oil drops.

I am a little puzzled over the oil all over the front of the engine - even the starter motor was wet. No sign of any leakage from the oil cooler, so I can't comprehend why that area would be oil covered.

So, I cleaned everything up best I could (took pictures beforehand for the dealer) and will get a few rides in this coming weekend before I drop it off next week.

Not looking forward to the dealer visit as they quoted me an October date as the earliest they had for an appointment. Otherwise, the other option would be to drop it off anytime and they might be able to look at it earlier if they had any free time before then - which means, it could sit in their lot for a week or more likely probably more.

 

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Well, Arnie. I'd probably go to another dealer. That seal leak indicator hole I talked about is over on the right side. But, if you have a large mess, especially on TOP of the starter motor, looks like it's just running down from the front valve cover gasket....which they worked on....which is a pain and easy to screw up because of all of the intake stuff up there. Depends how much more you want to troubleshoot this on your own. You could clean everything up with Gunk degreaser, start it up and watch it for awhile looking for the leak location. But, that's up to you. This is taking up a lot of your time already. Good luck.

 

[Mikey]

:agree:

 

[ARNIE R]

Gonna have to bite the bullet and let the dealer mess with it. Don't like letting them screw with it again, and not knowing when they will get around to it.

Next two closest dealers are further away and also backed up thru October for appointments, so either way, I would have to drop it off in the off chance that they may get a slow spell and can slip it in earlier.

I'm getting too old and have too many other things going on right now to spend any more of my time and effort on it.

I'll get some last rides in this weekend and drop it off sometime next week. :dontknow:

 

[rjinaz86323]

Would definitely be asking for a loaner since they are the ones that screwed the pooch once already

 

[Saluda]

Sorry to hear, good luck.

 

[YIRYDE]

If you don't mind, can you share the name of what dealer you are working with? If you don't want to share can you PM me the name.

Sorry for the troubles you are having.