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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through February 19, 2008 » Leaking oil, replace oil tank? « Previous Next »

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Bobo
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 02:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

See the attached pic. It is not my bike but is shows where my leak is at - one of the elbows right under the rubber. In the parts catalog this is not a seperate item with a part number and is part of the tank.

Do I need a new tank?


Oil Tank Leak
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V74
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 03:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i had the same,used a electric soldering iron to melt and fix it,that was 4 years ago,stil ok.
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Newbuellertoo
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 05:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine looks similar. That's a great idea with the soldering iron.
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Bobo
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 07:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

What did you melt. The rubber washer or the tank or both?

Wonder if I could just clean it real good and use a sealant of some sort.
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V74
Posted on Sunday, February 10, 2008 - 11:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

i just carefully melted the tank where the crack/split was,with the tip of the soldering iron,a bit like welding,just keep a steady hand and be gentle.
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Captainkirk
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 12:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is the tank cracked? One thing I found with my M2 is that if you have the oil level at the TOP of the dipstick level cold, as the oil warms, it foams and overfills the tank. This plugs off the vent fitting and pressurizes the tank, causing oil to leak from every nook & cranny (including the one in your pic)giving the appearance of a cracked or leaking tank. Make sure the level is just at the bottom mark COLD and check it again. This could be your culprit.
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V74
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 06:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

mine was cracked/split.didnt know if mine was a one off or others have done the same but it was out of warranty,if my repair hadnt have worked would have bought a new one.
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Loki
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 06:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If the tank is not cracked..... Those silly little rubber grommets can be had at your local lawnmower repair shop. Nothing more than gas tank mount bushings. Go to your local hobby shop and source some good gel type super glue.

I would replace all three as a preventative thing.
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Bobo
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 01:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Can I just yank that out of the tank? I would need to have one with me when trying to get a replacement.
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Jos51700
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 02:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm inclined to think, first, clean it all (I remove the bolts and hose under the rubber grommets to avoid trapped oil) and diagnose exactly where the oil is coming from.

Second, I'd ask how you go about filling your oil tank. Was it low when you got the bike, do you change your own oil, etc, because it's highly possible the bike wet sumped (the oil ran down into the motor, you checked, and added oil, and now it's overfull). I'd also ask if your oil dipstick magically backs out when you're riding (another sign of overfull).

I've not seen the oil tanks crack at the line fitting, but I've seen several crack where the retention bolt goes in, because people overtighten the bolt, and it overexpands, and busts the well that the rubber wellnut lives in. If I recall properly, The bolts don't retain the tank mechanically, they just capture it with well nuts.

And I've always run my tube-frame bikes a 1/2 quart low on oil if the bike gets wheelied at all.

I always check my bike AFTER a ride, while the oil is hot, with the bike still idling. Then I KNOW it's not wet-sumping, and the oil level is where it needs to be while the bike is in use.
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Bobo
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 03:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Great suggestions. I have not added oil to it as I have much work before it even will run. It did start up when I got it but you couldn't run it long due to a leaking push rod base. As I tore in it to fix that is when I started finding all these things wrong with it like the oil tank. I gather the previous owner was a stunter wannabe and has laid it down and made the oil mistakes you are referring to. I cleaned the tank best I could but I still see some seepage around these grommets where the hoses attach and while cleaning I have found oil every where leading me to believe he over filled it or as you mentioned was pulling wheelies. I have also found that the front wheel rim is bent indicative of wheelies and bringing it down hard without any control or ramming a curb.

But that is why I bought this bike. A project for me yet and why I offered less than what he was wanting. It was so amazing that he thought I was the one getting over on the deal. Whatever!

Again, thanks for the great suggestions.
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Old_mil
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 06:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Or you can go to American Sport Bike and buy one of those spectacular metal replacement oil tanks that they sell for tubers.

Did I mention I love American Sport Bike?
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Loki
Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The barbed fitting should feel nice and snug. Should not rotate or tip in any direction easily. A real free spinner is a leaker.

It will pull out and then you can gently pry the grommet out of the tank. A new grommet will seem like a bear to install just work it into the tank. The barbed fitting is gonna be real snug going back in. lube it good with some oil.
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