warranty and what to say

[wyliec]

I have a 2008 SM5 purchased new. Just under 12,000 miles.

Last year in Aug. brought in for an oil leak. Mechanic found it was leaking from where I installed a crankcase tube with filter to airbox. The service mgr. suggested I replace with original tube to avoid any future warranty issues. I had them replace it.

Just before taking the bike out from its winter rest I installed another crankcase tube with filter. Here's my problem, yesterday I noticed a big, fresh oil spot the size of or bigger than an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper. Last week I changed dealers and brought in for a brake job; one has nothing to do with the other (brake job, oil leak).

My concern is that the new dealer is going to ask what happened to the orignal factory tube. I'll need to tell him something. I was thinking of just telling him what happened last year and not tell him I reinstalled the crankcase tube with filter since I have removed it again. Do you think that will fly?

By the way, I'm going to check the actual oil level this afternoon. Last night I checked and the part of the frame that runs front to back was wet with oil under and in back of the motor.

I know to most this may sound stupid; but, I hate to lie about this. I'm almost tempted to tell the whole truth.

 

[SpyderWolf]

I would tell the whole truth. Main reason is it will give them someplace to start looking instead of tearing into the Spyder without a clue.

The bigger question though is are you sure it was coming from that same vent line that you installed this time? That seems like a lot of oil to come from there, and especially if it is coating the frame like that and hitting the ground. :dontknow:

 

[Neez]

Why use the tube and filter idea anyway. Just cut a 1 inch cube of foam type air filter and tuck it into the top of the original crankcase hose. This works like a charm to prevent airbox oil and the only giveaway that it is there is a screw type hose clamp at the top of the hose rather than the Oeticker type. I doubt that the shop guys would know you have it.

 

[stormtrooper]

I have to agree with Wolf that sounds like to much oil.Has to be leaking
from somewhere else.Only way I would think that much oil can come from crankcase to the airbox would be overfilling the oil :dontknow:

 

[dvmdf]

I have exactrly the same situation. I installed lamonsters mod and there are some oil spots on the floor. I am thinking that it's residual oil from from the time that it was getting in the airbox and the seeping out. It's not too much of an oil leak for now, so I will just ride and when it;s time to take it in for an oil change I will remove the mod and reinstall the original hose. Keep us posted

 

[wyliec]

I would tell the whole truth. Main reason is it will give them someplace to start looking instead of tearing into the Spyder without a clue.

The bigger question though is are you sure it was coming from that same vent line that you installed this time? That seems like a lot of oil to come from there, and especially if it is coating the frame like that and hitting the ground. :dontknow:

I don't think it's leaking from the tube connections/vent line. What the service mgr. told me last year was that he or his mechanic didn't know whether that filter would cause an increase in crankcase pressue. I guess with too much of an increase in pressure you could cause leakage around a gasket. :dontknow:

But, I'm sure other members might call B.S. on crankcase pressure buildup due to the filter in the vent tube. By the way, since installing the vent tube/filter again, I have put less than 100 miles on the spyder. I say that just in case someone was wondering if I let the filter get too dirty.

 

[Firefly]

Switch it back to the factory standard and see if the leak persists. Should be a 20 minute job to do this.

If you're going to have them troubleshoot the oil leak you need to have it back to factory normal. They very well may point the finger at any mods you did if they are related to the problem.

Ditto goes for electrical problems. If you've done mods and have problems and expect them to troubleshoot them under warranty, you should change things back to factory. It's also a good way to tell if your mods ARE causing the problem.

Switch it back and see if it still leaks.

 

[pierrelogic]

Tell the truth about everyhting with your dealer. They ARE your warranty. Trying to hide something from them only erodes their willingness to fight for you on warranty issues.

Nothing good can come from trying leave out valuable information from someone trying to help you.

 

[wyliec]

Tell the truth about everyhting with your dealer. They ARE your warranty. Trying to hide something from them only erodes their willingness to fight for you on warranty issues.

Nothing good can come from trying leave out valuable information from someone trying to help you.

:agree:

 

[wyliec]

Switch it back to the factory standard and see if the leak persists. Should be a 20 minute job to do this.

If you're going to have them troubleshoot the oil leak you need to have it back to factory normal. They very well may point the finger at any mods you did if they are related to the problem.

Ditto goes for electrical problems. If you've done mods and have problems and expect them to troubleshoot them under warranty, you should change things back to factory. It's also a good way to tell if your mods ARE causing the problem.

Switch it back and see if it still leaks.

Switched it back last night. I'm on my way out for a short ride and then check to see how low I am on oil.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Switched it back last night. I'm on my way out for a short ride and then check to see how low I am on oil.

Very good point by Dan to switch it back and see what happens with it now. Let us know how things turn out with this test.

 

[Firefly]

Tell the truth about everyhting with your dealer. They ARE your warranty. Trying to hide something from them only erodes their willingness to fight for you on warranty issues.

Nothing good can come from trying leave out valuable information from someone trying to help you.

I'm not suggesting 'lying' about anything -- only changing things back to how they were designed to operate-- thus taking any guesswork out of the equation for the dealer. I just wouldn't expect them to troubleshoot something under warranty that I modified that could be directly related to the problem at hand.

I take my spyder in naked (no covers) with all the mods I've ever done --- but if I was having a problem that I thought could be due to one of my mods--- I would pull that mod and test it prior to taking it in.

 

[boborgera]

Why use the tube and filter idea anyway. Just cut a 1 inch cube of foam type air filter and tuck it into the top of the original crankcase hose. This works like a charm to prevent airbox oil and the only giveaway that it is there is a screw type hose clamp at the top of the hose rather than the Oeticker type. I doubt that the shop guys would know you have it.

:agree:Sooner or later those Rube Goldberg contraptions will brake down.
I've been using the foam over two years, Haven't had a drop leak out.

 

[boborgera]

Switch it back to the factory standard and see if the leak persists. Should be a 20 minute job to do this.
.

:agree:Rule of thumb Always go back to the last thing you did,
And usually you'll find your problem.:thumbup:

 

[Roadkill]

... I'm almost tempted to tell the whole truth.

+Your inner self would remain at ease, and your outer self will absorb and continue.

Sounds like my kind of plan.

Ride on.
Roadkill

 

[Bob Denman]

Now my Missus would be the first to tell all of you that the truth and I have only a passing familiarity with each other... hyea:, but when it comes down to really important stuff the truth should be told... and for all of the aforementioned reasons!

((I cannot believe that I just said that! :shocked :roflblack:

 

[wyliec]

:agree:Sooner or later those Rube Goldberg contraptions will brake down.
I've been using the foam over two years, Haven't had a drop leak out.

Since you mentioned Rube Goldberg, I sent you a PM.

 

[groundeffect]

Hey guys!

Switch it back to the factory standard and see if the leak persists. Should be a 20 minute job to do this.

If you're going to have them troubleshoot the oil leak you need to have it back to factory normal. They very well may point the finger at any mods you did if they are related to the problem.

Ditto goes for electrical problems. If you've done mods and have problems and expect them to troubleshoot them under warranty, you should change things back to factory. It's also a good way to tell if your mods ARE causing the problem.

Switch it back and see if it still leaks.

:agree:Lay it all out on the table at the Dealer.

wyliec:
I have heard of oil leaking from the crankcase vent hose if clamps are loose, even the catch-can mod, however could you be leaking from the metal angled hose going into the engine itself - illustrated in attached photo. Just a thought? If so, maybe it just needs to be removed, cleaned, reinstalled with some hi-temp sealant.:dontknow:


What is the oil level - Guessing you checked to be sure it is not overfilled.
You mentioned a spot the size of a 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper - that's a lot, even if it is blow-by oil. :dontknow:


Let us know what you find out after the most recent ryde and also letting it sit for a while - any leaks?


Any photos to help get a better idea of what is going on?:dontknow:
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Dean