RS-S leaking oil

[Joel]

I moved to Mission BC last December (from Montreal).
Started to ride my Spyder few weeks ago.

Got a surprise today when I noticed a small leak on the black bottom part just under the removable right side panel (front).
After removing the panel I could see black residue on the right corner of the radiator (see picture) as well as trace leak on many of the tubing connected to the motor.



The leaks look shiny on the picture above.
I can`t seams to find a specific area where the leak could come from and there is not a single spot of oil in my garage where the Spyder is usually parked.

Checked the oil level and it was really low (below the add oil line).
The RS-S 2011 has 6000 miles. It it normal to be losing oil at this early stage.

Also any recommendation for a dealer in the area (Mission BC) which could look at this issue?
Assuming this would be covered under the warranty?

I noticed Greater Vancouver WaterSport has 2 locations (Chilliwack and Surrey).
Does anyone has had previous `Service` experience with them?

Thx.
Joel.

 

[bobnaquin]

I will try to help:
Most oil leaks on an RS comes from oil in the air box making its way down. Pull the side panels and remove the top of the air box and look in there for an accumulation of oil. That could be one source and it is typical of these engines. There are several ways to fix this problem, the easiest being to run about 1/2 quart low on oil.

I understand that another typical problem is that the water pump seal leaks both oil and antifreeze. This does not sound like your problem since you did not mention antifreeze. This problem is probably not fixable for any length of time from what I gather on this forum.

Make sure you are checking your oil correctly before claiming it is low. This is a very fussy procedure with only one correct way; engine must be very hot (after driving a bit) let the engine idle for 30 seconds at stop, check the oil within a minute after stopping the engine. Read your manual for more details.

I have heard that people find leaks near the valve cover. Clean the engine well and see if you can trace it to this area and then either replace the valve cover gasket or tighten it.

I have 60,00 mile on an RS/GS and the worse mistake I ever made was having a dealer try to fix an oil leak under warranty. They turned my bike into a hangar queen and then left a part loose in the engine on reassembly. Now I put up with a little oil leakage and enjoy the ride.

But if you are truly running low on oil you should have a very big puddle of oil under your bike and probably a big problem. I have never leaked enough oil to make much difference other than a spot on my pristine garage floor. Good luck.

 

[oldgoat]

My 08GS had oil residue where yours has. It was oil being blown into the air box as described in the post above then leaking out on the forward, right side join.
I removed the airbox (upper & lower bits) & cleaned it up. I then fitted a small fuel filter into the engine breather line that goes into the lhs side of the lower airbox piece.
That appears to have pretty well solved the problem. Checked by removing the top of the airbox after a further 2000km & no more oil in there.

 

[Chupaca]

Little checking..!!

Your leak sounds and looks like it coming from the air box as stated above. These engines literally send the oil up in smoke. This feed back to the air box where it accumulates till it finds a way out. Much of it is burned off but cleaning the air box is a good idea. To much oil is the worst contributor to little as well. Check your oil often, I check it after long rides as soon as it is in the garage. I believe the manual says after 500 miles. Good luck hope you get feed back on dealers...!!:thumbup:

 

[jerpinoy]

Good advices from our :spyder2:families. Just from your pictures and descriptions you probably have a very minute leak and if no oil drip under your engine, less to worry. Clean and monitor and see if it's worth worrying.

 

[boborgera]

If your ''NOT'' checking your oil like bobnaquin said in post #2, You are probably adding too much oil and the extra oil will blow into the air box and drip out the weep hole at the bottom of the air box lower right side. Commonly called blow-by....... Many dry sump engines will have blow-by if too much oil is added.....

 

[bobnaquin]

My 08GS had oil residue where yours has. It was oil being blown into the air box as described in the post above then leaking out on the forward, right side join.
I removed the airbox (upper & lower bits) & cleaned it up. I then fitted a small fuel filter into the engine breather line that goes into the lhs side of the lower airbox piece.
That appears to have pretty well solved the problem. Checked by removing the top of the airbox after a further 2000km & no more oil in there.

Oh Yeah. I did this too and it works very well. There are lots of other solutions but this is simple, cheap and it works pretty darn good.

 

[Joel]

Thank you all for your feedback.
Much appreciated!

I will clean it and see what happen next.