Persistant Oil Leak

[Professor]

Three or four weeks ago, I noticed a spot of oil beneath my 2014 RTL. The dealer found the leak and replaced a gasket (I'm not sure exactly where, but I think he said somewhere near the starter and a bear to get to it). It took almost a week to get the gasket and after replacement, it still leaked a little. They added some gasket sealer and that seemed to stop it. Then right before leaving for Spyderfest, I noticed a little oil on the garage floor again. I didn't want to miss SF so we headed out, hoping that the leak would seal up during the trip. The leak continued, losing a quart over 5 days and about 900 miles.

It's back in the Spyder hospital (since Tuesday afternoon) and I'm waiting for a status report. Has anyone else has had oil leak problems on the 2014 RT? Any suggestions from you wrenches out there for a stubborn leak? :dontknow:

Thanks!

 

[krazykat]

Seems to me a quart in 5 days is not "minor" leaking. I have what seems to be about the same leak under right side under engine area, but I'm talking "very minor" meaning just a drop very occasionally. Don't know where it is from, but awaiting next servicing to ask dealer about it. Haven't noticed any lowering of oil on dip stick at all. Hope you solve it soon.

 

[Chupaca]

Curious..!!

some of the 14's had a clutch cover bolt leaking. This should have been replaced. This is on the right side. Tracing oil leaks can be tricky but not that difficult. Check that bolt....:thumbup:

 

[Professor]

Seems to me a quart in 5 days is not "minor" leaking. I have what seems to be about the same leak under right side under engine area, but I'm talking "very minor" meaning just a drop very occasionally. Don't know where it is from, but awaiting next servicing to ask dealer about it. Haven't noticed any lowering of oil on dip stick at all. Hope you solve it soon.

I agree. Before I took it in the first time, it was very minor. It seems to have worsened since then. The service manager said he would put his best tech on it. Hopefully they'll get it stopped this time.

Just curious: how long is a Spyder usually in the shop for something like this? It's been about 48 hours since I took it in and haven't heard anything from them yet.

 

[hapyisme]

I agree. Before I took it in the first time, it was very minor. It seems to have worsened since then. The service manager said he would put his best tech on it. Hopefully they'll get it stopped this time.

Just curious: how long is a Spyder usually in the shop for something like this? It's been about 48 hours since I took it in and haven't heard anything from them yet.

I had my 2013 RT in the shop 5 times, a week to two weeks each time for an oil leak, they kept saying they had it fixed, finally they found the leak was coming from the crank so they had to pull apart the whole engine, took them 5 weeks. Replaced the leaking water pump also, all this in January,
Now she is in the shop again for a leaking water pump again, bad gas fumes and the wire harness to the turn lights is not working.
I am in hopes that I can get the lemon law of Texas on it, but not sure. It's sad, I have only had this bike 10 months, only 2K miles and has been in the shop half the time I have owned it.
Have put a custom paint job on it, had no idea it was going to be such a pain. I tried to trade it in back in October, they wanted to give me 12K when I had bought it for 25K just 4 months earlier,,,

Thank God I also have a two wheeler that keeps wind in my hair!!

 

[Professor]

I had my 2013 RT in the shop 5 times, a week to two weeks each time for an oil leak, they kept saying they had it fixed, finally they found the leak was coming from the crank so they had to pull apart the whole engine, took them 5 weeks. Replaced the leaking water pump also, all this in January,
Now she is in the shop again for a leaking water pump again, bad gas fumes and the wire harness to the turn lights is not working.
I am in hopes that I can get the lemon law of Texas on it, but not sure. It's sad, I have only had this bike 10 months, only 2K miles and has been in the shop half the time I have owned it.
Have put a custom paint job on it, had no idea it was going to be such a pain. I tried to trade it in back in October, they wanted to give me 12K when I had bought it for 25K just 4 months earlier,,,

Thank God I also have a two wheeler that keeps wind in my hair!!

Ouch! I hope mine goes better than that. I called my dealer yesterday for a status report since my bike had been there for two days. They haven't even looked at it yet. There are eight jobs ahead of me. The service manager said he only has one tech and one guy who just assembles, etc. They are supposed to get a new tech on Tuesday and will hopefully get caught up. I really like the people at the dealership, but this is frustrating.

 

[AeroPilot]

Noticed oil seepage on the right underside by the clutch cover/oil pressure sensor?

Ouch! I hope mine goes better than that. I called my dealer yesterday for a status report since my bike had been there for two days. They haven't even looked at it yet. There are eight jobs ahead of me. The service manager said he only has one tech and one guy who just assembles, etc. They are supposed to get a new tech on Tuesday and will hopefully get caught up. I really like the people at the dealership, but this is frustrating.

When I was under the 2015 RT-S a couple of weeks ago checking out the service drain plugs for the first oil change, I noticed some oil on the plastic pan under the right side.

When I changed oil a week ago, I cleaned the area and left the plastic shield off so I can monitor and see if I can find where it is coming from. There is a small set-screw tapped vertically upwards in the outer clutch cover that was wet, and then oil down along the cover seam and collecting on the right drain bolt. When I was at the dealer this weekend, I had them look at it and they need to order a gasket for the cover to see it that will fix it. Most new models do not have a full complement of parts out especially for the one/off type repairs. Hopefully they get the gasket in this week, but for now the oil levels seem to be staying full although we had a 2 " spot on the garage floor after this weekends 240 mile trip.

Has anyone else heard of a set screw in the clutch cover leaking (NOT the drain plug) ??

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: Spyders held hostage by dealers.

IMO--that is a real good way to ruin customer confidence and loyalty.

My dealer has had my :ani29: over night for two separate times in 7 plus years. Each time they did not complete the job, they called to notify me of the delay.

To take the :spyder2: in for service with no intention of working on it until they feel like it--well--for me that would be a deal breaker.

There is a dealer here who does all of the above. I have not even visited their place of business to check out pricing or would not consider taking mine there for service. Their reputation stands for itself.

 

[larryd]

There were some 2014/1330 with engine casting oil leaks that required engine replacements...There was someone on the forum sometime ago that had their's replaced...I know my dealer also replaced a complete engine with a porous casting that leaked oil...HOPE your not one...larryd

 

[Professor]

Follow up

The dealership got the new tech and he seems excellent!! The problem has been solved and I'm very pleased. I think there was an internal personnel problem that affected service for a few days, but it seems to have been resolved. Overall, I think it was handled well. My Spyder is happy.

 

[AeroPilot]

Glad your leak is fixed

The dealership got the new tech and he seems excellent!! The problem has been solved and I'm very pleased. I think there was an internal personnel problem that affected service for a few days, but it seems to have been resolved. Overall, I think it was handled well. My Spyder is happy.

Your first post mentioned that a gasket replacement didn't seem to fix the leak, but now the second time in they seem to have found and fixed it.


Any idea what the service order says they found? Didn't mention any parts replaced/repaired?


Thanks for your help and communication.

Andy

 

[Professor]

Apparently it actually was fixed the first time, but the tech did not clean up the bike after the repair. So the oil I spotted under the RT after the repair was not a from a leak, but oil that had dripped from a very oily engine and undercarriage . After confirming there was no leak, they cleaned everything well, buttoned her up and released her from the hospital. I'm assuming they are right, because the garage floor and been totally clean since coming home.

 

[AeroPilot]

Thanks for the reply---

Apparently it actually was fixed the first time, but the tech did not clean up the bike after the repair. So the oil I spotted under the RT after the repair was not a from a leak, but oil that had dripped from a very oily engine and undercarriage . After confirming there was no leak, they cleaned everything well, buttoned her up and released her from the hospital. I'm assuming they are right, because the garage floor and been totally clean since coming home.

I understand that a little oil can get over a lot, and have taken the bottom plastic shield off to clean and try to locate the source. I have an appointment for the end of the month so hopefully it gets diagnosed and fixed then. I think I see a little oil in the set screw hole above the oil sensor on the lower right side of the case.

 

[Professor]

That set screw is apparently a fairly common cause of a leak. That's what they initially expected to find with mine, but it was fine. Good luck with yours. I hope it's diagnosed and fixed quickly.

 

[MarkLawson]

Apparently it actually was fixed the first time, but the tech did not clean up the bike after the repair. So the oil I spotted under the RT after the repair was not a from a leak, but oil that had dripped from a very oily engine and undercarriage . After confirming there was no leak, they cleaned everything well, buttoned her up and released her from the hospital. I'm assuming they are right, because the garage floor and been totally clean since coming home.

I'm not sure I'm following. After the first leak fix, you said you took it to SpyderFest & it was using a quart in 5 days and 900 miles. Seems like you still have a problem, don't you?

 

[Professor]

I Apologize

I'm not sure I'm following. After the first leak fix, you said you took it to SpyderFest & it was using a quart in 5 days and 900 miles. Seems like you still have a problem, don't you?

I understand your confusion and it's my fault. The oil is so clear - and my garage not well-lit - I misread the dipstick. I mentioned the low oil at the dealership and they checked it while I watched. The oil level was perfect. I should have included that in my repost. It turns out that I am the dipstick. pps:

 

[AeroPilot]

Thanks Professor and others for the details-

That set screw is apparently a fairly common cause of a leak. That's what they initially expected to find with mine, but it was fine. Good luck with yours. I hope it's diagnosed and fixed quickly.

Got an appointment for the Dealer to get it in next Friday. Also thanks Bob for the BRP bulletin posted that I printed out to take to the dealer detailing the fix for the non sealed set screw if that is what they find. I think I'm good til then and hopefully problem solved- we'll let you know "The Rest of the Story" after the service visit.:joke: