Oil Leak

[ArmyJoe]

I just got it back Friday night after being in the shop for the 600-mile check and oil change. I rode it home from the dealer and also once on Sunday afternoon for a 120-mile trip. I open the garage this afternoon to find this:

I popped open the left side and the leak appears to be coming from the oil tank drain plug. I also checked the oil level and it appers to be overfilled:

I got some cleanup to do on the bottom plate under the oil tank, but it's too dark to mess with it now. I hope this is not too serious.

 

[xpeschon]

WOW---Thats sounds like a mess.. When I first got my Spyder the dealer told me to check the oil at 300 miles or so and when I did the the oil tank was FULL,,,, I'm talking all the way up near the threats,, I called the dealer right away and informed them of this and they told me that they would come pick it up and make it right but I elected not to do this and drained some oil out till it was where it was suppose to be,, I was told by the dealer that this would not hurt the engine and also by other members on this forum that it should be alright however,, I wanted to make it perfectly clear to the dealer that I witness this type of incident.. I took pictures and everything however my point is this,, I NEVER had any oil leak at all so this would kind of alarm me,, I'm thinking maybe your drain plug is not tight and some leaked out however I kind of ruled that out cause of where your oiil level is on the dip stick.. Confussed in MO.. Not sure whats going on however would be very interested in what your findings are so PLEASE keep up posted.. Sorry to hear about your situation.
Joe

PS: I just relooked at your dip stick it it appears to me that you are actually not overfilled so possible they didn't tighten your drain plug to specs,, maybe its me but thats what I'm seeing.

 

[Dudley]

I would take as many pictures as I can, then check the oil drain plug. It's probably not tight enough...not loose enough to lose a lot of oil, just not tight enough not to lose any. Overfilling the oil can cause expansion of the oil tank if run too long. Overfilling of the oil IS NOT GOOD! I do not say this because I am a mechanic, I was told this by a real certified BRP technician.

 

[ArmyJoe]

I just relooked at your dip stick it it appears to me that you are actually not overfilled

I added a red line to the dipstick photo to show where the overfilled line is.

 

[xpeschon]

There you go, sorry it IS clearly overfilled.. I sure hope things work out for you but I would be all over the dealership come morning for sure..

Joe

 

[jabba11]

another example of a perfectly working spyder that goes to a shop and comes out messed up:gaah:

 

[BeRight]

Not saying you should but I would remove panels and take several pictures (including around air box, oil filter and drain plugs (both of them), drain out excess oil -check torque on both bolts and see if any oil is leaking around filter - clean away all spilled oil, start bike and idle till 3 bars is reached-let cool and then check for leaks. If all O'K then ride it - then let it sit til it cools off - remove panels and see if you have any oil leaks.

The leaking oil on floor could be from oil that mechanic spilled on Spyder floor panel when changing your oil - also the mechanic did not know to check oil level when engine is hot - probably checked it when it was cold.

Oh yeah call dealer about what happened so that mechanic can learn from mistake - if that is what it turns out to be.

After my first service, 300 miles, I found anti-freeze on my garage floor the next morning. Mechanic didn't fully tighten the cap on overflow bottle.

 

[brutus450]

after I got mine done at 600 miles mine also leaked from the drain plug. I can almost gaurantee he didnt change the plug washer. they definately can leak if not changed. Its not a suer thing it will leak but it sure can. Also some mechanics are slobs and will get oil all over and not clean it up.
I would take it back or call them to ask if they changed the washer.

Dont try and just tighten it more if it feels tight allready. It may tighten a bit more but it will be hell to get it off next time. Let them fix it.

 

[ArmyJoe]

after I got mine done at 600 miles mine also leaked from the drain plug. I can almost gaurantee he didnt change the plug washer. they definately can leak if not changed.

I just read the oil change section of the manual. I see it says, "Never reuse the drain plug sealing washer. Always replace it with a new one."

Thanks for the info!

 

[ataDude]

I just read the oil change section of the manual. I see it says, "Never reuse the drain plug sealing washer. Always replace it with a new one."

Thanks for the info!

But... but... but... I hate to say this but the sealing washer has NEVER been replaced on my 1998 Valk (washer is aluminum) and has not been replaced YET on the Spyder after multiple changes.

I have not replaced the filter's O-ring, either, but probably will next time.

I always flip the washer over to give it a chance to reseal... due to the ridge created on the washer's ID.

Just my experience. I lean toward the plug not being tightened.

.

 

[BRPjunkie]

I have had loose drain plugs on bikes and cars, but that usually results in a drip, drip, drip. That puddle on the floor in the photo sure looks like more than a drip unless the plug is just hand tight. :dontknow:

 

[M2Wild]

But... but... but... I hate to say this but the sealing washer has NEVER been replaced on my 1998 Valk (washer is aluminum) and has not been replaced YET on the Spyder after multiple changes.

I have not replaced the filter's O-ring, either, but probably will next time.

I always flip the washer over to give it a chance to reseal... due to the ridge created on the washer's ID.

Just my experience. I lean toward the plug not being tightened.

.

Haha ... ur frugal like me:roflblack:

 

[ataDude]

Haha ... ur frugal like me:roflblack:

Maybe... a little... I have spares setting here... just trying to determine the actual life of the Spyder stuff.

.

 

[Dudley]

But... but... but... I hate to say this but the sealing washer has NEVER been replaced on my 1998 Valk (washer is aluminum) and has not been replaced YET on the Spyder after multiple changes.

I have not replaced the filter's O-ring, either, but probably will next time.

I always flip the washer over to give it a chance to reseal... due to the ridge created on the washer's ID.

Just my experience. I lean toward the plug not being tightened.

.

I second that lean. Just take an Allen wrench or socket, give it a tightening test. If it moves it was loose. Give it a good tightening, nothing like The Hulk would do, just a firm tight. I have been riding over 40 years and I think I may have replaced 3 (?) washers. I just make sure I wipe both sides clean, use it again and make sure it's tight. Have never had one leak (the ones I replaced I just did because).

 

[NancysToy]

I second that lean. Just take an Allen wrench or socket, give it a tightening test. If it moves it was loose. Give it a good tightening, nothing like The Hulk would do, just a firm tight. I have been riding over 40 years and I think I may have replaced 3 (?) washers. I just make sure I wipe both sides clean, use it again and make sure it's tight. Have never had one leak (the ones I replaced I just did because).

Good advice. I actually do bother to torque both the Spyder and the BMW. Best leak prevention is to carefully inspect the washers before reuse. If there is a ridge, turn it over or use a new one. If there are scratches or dents, replace the washer. The aluminum washers seem to take more kindly to reuse than the copper washers, which seem to work harden quicker.

 

[ArmyJoe]

I went to the dealer and bought a new washer. The one on the left is the replacement and the one on the right is the one that was leaking. Obvious differences. Which one is correct?

 

[brutus450]

that right there is obvious you need a new dealer - they used the wrong washer

one on the left is correct

 

[NancysToy]

I went to the dealer and bought a new washer. The one on the left is the replacement and the one on the right is the one that was leaking. Obvious differences. Which one is correct?

Can't remember which is correct, but the one on the right would undoubtedly leak with that large indentation, at least if it is reinstalled.

 

[jabba11]

I agree I cant tell from the picture but there are two different sizes and the one on the right "looks" right for one size but it is hard to tell.

 

[BRPjunkie]

I went to the dealer and bought a new washer. The one on the left is the replacement and the one on the right is the one that was leaking. Obvious differences. Which one is correct?

Looks like the mechanic either switched the crush washers during the oil change or grabbbed two of the same. The wider one goes on the the crank case drain plug and the narrow one on the oil tank plug. Dealer owes you a do over. Better check the oil tank washer since it could be the wrong one also.