Havent' needed help for a while, so thats good, but then as things happen, a little issue has appeared.
Over time I have noticed oil appearing on the rear of my sump. It appears to be very thin oil and seems worse after long run or just once engine's hot. It seems thicker on the right hand side of the engine but is above and mainly below the gasket line. The bike oil is not adversely affected and still doesnt need topped up. Engine has just over 10k on a '52. The oil is not dripping but more a thin misting of oil that builds up.
Any ideas?
I suspect the sump gasket or the right hand engine cover gasket as this ties in with oil getting thinner when hot and escaping like a mist through the gasket. Help or confirmation appreciated.
It can be difficult finding a small leak like this, as the air stream over the engine flows in unexpected directions sometimes, and the oil seems to settle away form the site of the leak.
One thing you could try is to (carefully) pressure wash the engine, then dry it carefully- ticking over for five mins should do it.
Then tape small squares of kitchen paper over likely areas- around the oil cooler take-offs, over the little half-round rubber bungs which are part of the cam box cover gaskets, sump gasket, oil drain plug etc. You can use gaffer tape to hold them in place.
Go for a ride.
You'll very easily see which one is the leak site, as the paper around it gets soaked in oil, but it doesn't flow across the engine surface.
Then a bit of white spirit to get the gum from the duct tape off, and fix the leak.
Don't forget the possibility of a tiny leak from the CCT's, and make sure that the breather pipes going into the airbox are properly connected- they'll let out a little bit of an oil mist if they're not connected.
The other possibility is it's a mist from the breather pipes- try taping a bit of kitchen paper round the end of each one so you can see which one it might be.
Last thought- might it be a leak from the clutch hydraulics?
This will leak out onto the front sprocket, and sometimes drips down onto the LH side of the sump- worth checking your fluid level in the reservoir.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
Nuggs,
I have a similar problem on my bike too. I have wondered if it is coming from the chain oiler (Scott oiler) as I didn't notice it before I fitted it.
For me it's not that much so am not to worried about it, I just clean it off occasionally. I'll be interested to hear if you do find out for sure what is causing it,
