| Author | Message | ||
     Mcooley3 |
My 98 S3T seems to be leaking oil, but I don't know where from. First it seems to be "sitting" right behind the rear cylinder under the starter. It drips down onto the exhaust and when I ride it gets all over the rear wheel. Where are common points of leaking? Where should i look? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
starter motor gasket. the new replacement is a much better design. it can also oil the left side of your tire so I wouldn't ride it until i fix it if i were you... it could also be the base gasket, but my money is on the starter motor... | ||
| Sportyeric |
It could be running down from a bad rocker box cover gasket. It could be coming out of the tranny vent tube as a symptom of a mainshaft seal failure. Or, as Scott says, it could be a starter gasket leak. (I had my starter rattle loose and had to ride home 300 miles and used four quarts of oil in the process....in the primary, out through the starter mount, onto the back tire, then gone.) But a rocker box gasket failure is the most common. | ||
| Jos51700 |
If it's dripping onto the header, I'm guessing rocker box gaskets. They've updated those gaskets as well. Do both cylinders if you're going to do one. If the base gaskets are going, I usually do them while I'm there (It's 8 more bolts, and intake and header bolts, from the rocker box gaskets, and some scraping). Then if you're doing that, you can check the rings and connecting rods! | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Mcooley3, Scott_in_nh has the cause listed that was my leak a while back with your same indications. I did not have to pull the starter but merely tighten the bolts which have access through the round clutch cover toward the rear of the primary cover. With careful seeing through the opening and an extension and socket,(if I remember it was 1/2"), you can tighten them without pulling anything else. Mine were only about 1 turn loose. I now check them for torque every time I change primary oil when adding through this same opening. Also one of the easiest things to check before going on to more elaborate ones. Good luck and stay safe. Bob | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
But a rocker box gasket failure is the most common. Agreed, but that is why on a 10 year old bike they have most likely already been replaced. Is it even possible that there is any tuber actually being ridden that has not already had the rocker gaskets replaced? The age seems ripe for the starter motor gasket. The gear box cover will be next! | ||
| Mcooley3 |
Thanks guys. I'm gonna do some investigation today and see. Ill keep you posted. | ||
| Sloppy |
Sounds like classic starter motor gasket. Here's a quick fix to save you some time. Wash the bike with a little engine cleaner around the starter area. Once dried, stuff a paper towel (folded a couple times over) UNDER the starter against where it's mounted to the engine. Any leaking oil will be picked up in the towel and will hold the oil for at least 8 months!!! When it starts to leak again pull out the towel with a "pick a part" or long needle nose pliers and replace with a fresh towel. I went two years like this until I had a good reason to open the primary to replace the gasket. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Matthew Sound like it's coming from higher that the header, rocker cover gaskets. But before you go there make sure that you haven't over filled the engine oil. Joe | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
not to beat a dead horse, but he said exhaust. When the starter motor gasket leaks it does indeed end up on the exhaust (not the header). I'm sure he understands gravity and if it was dripping on the header he would know that the oil had to come from higher up! (but I could be wrong ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) ) | ||
| Bad_karma |
I miss understood plain english. joe | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'll give you some invaluable advice; when working any where near the rear cylinder, take a towel and cover the 'well' where the oil lines and wiring harness go through the engine. If you drop an Allen wrench in there, you'll have to turn the bike upside down and shake it to get it out. Either that or stop what you're doing, get cleaned up, go to the autoparts store, and buy one of those magnets on a telescoping rod. | ||
| Ratbuell |
You clean yourself up before you go to the parts store?  |
