Oil Leak question????

[ReconLdr]

Hi guys newbie Buell owner here. I just bought a 2000 M2 Cyclone with 6511 miles on it. I put a 155 miles on it yesterday and found an oil leak. It looks to be coming from the sensor area on the right side of the bike. This sensor look like it might be a speed sensor for the out put shaft (front sprocket).

I clean it off last night and I guess it only leaks when the engine is running/being driven.

Q1: How is this sensor sealed? Is there an O ring around it?

Q2: Will a bead of anerobic gasket maker seal it with out causing a future problem?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Note: The closes Buell dealer is quite a distance away and the Harley dealership(s) I called are busy and can't schedule me for 2-3 weeks.

 

[anrkizm95]

Q1: How is this sensor sealed? Is there an O ring around it?

yes

Will a bead of anerobic gasket maker seal it with out causing a future problem?

probably

The closes Buell dealer is quite a distance away and the Harley dealership(s) I called are busy and can't schedule me for 2-3 weeks.

most parts stores will have that size o'ring

 

[ReconLdr]

Thanks anrkizm95.

most parts stores will have that size o'ring

Good to know^^^. When I pull it out tomorrow, I will try the parts store.

 

[ReconLdr]

I put a new O ring on the sensor and still have a leak. I took the seat and plastic off in the back and found oil all around the tank.(very little oil residue on the top) I found the side near the return line to be wet. I guess that will be my next task.

The thing I don't understand is, I can ride the bike all day and not see any evidence of a leak... but take a short trip to the quickie-mart (the next day and I find oil dripping when I come out of the store.

Note: The previous owner put a K&N filter which eliminated the factory air cleaner box.

I noticed this hose has oil all over it (it is right below the oil tank) and it is the only place I find oil and not just residue. I am guessing the purpose of this hose originally was to vent crank case vapors into the carb to be burned during combustion. Now it seems to be more of an old school road draft tube. If I am getting oil out of this tube does it mean I have some "blow by"?

 

[bosterfeld]

It's normal to get oil out of the vent tube. Check out the how to on re-routing a vent tube w/ a drain. This is a must do for buells.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...50-Helpful-Links-for-Buellers....and-Growing.

hope this helps....

 

[ReconLdr]

I just talked to a Harley guy. He says he routed that tube so it would "leak" oil onto his chain...

It's normal to get oil out of the vent tube. Check out the how to on re-routing a vent tube w/ a drain. This is a must do for buells.

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General ...

hope this helps....

Thanks. This ^^^ may be exactly what I needed.

 

[ReconLdr]

*UPDATE*

I have all the leaks fixed, kinda. I no longer have anything leaking on to the road. I do get wetness around the breather vent.

As of now, I am having to add almost 1/2 qt of engine oil every 200 miles. The bike runs great with no smoke or burnt oil smell.

Any ideas what I should check next??? I am getting to the point where I think I shouldn't change the oil, just spin a new filter on every 2500 miles...

 

[aaronbuell]

You will have wetness around the breather they like to spray alittle mist of oil now and then you could throw a filter on the end to keep it off your bike. I use about a 1/2 quart every 500 or so miles(1998 S3).

 

[ReconLdr]

This is what my bike looks like after riding to work today. (about 77 miles) I cleaned this area last night.

So there isn't a way to fix this completely??? The breather re-route really reduced the leak by 50% and stopped it from spraying on my back tire. I can live with the compromise, I just would like to stop the leak completely.

 

[uly luigi]

That looks like you might have a stuck ring and getting some excessive blow buy, 6k miles on an 11 year old bike, it has sat a lot, in car motors, i have put a quart of good transmission fluid in the the crankcase about a 100 miles before a planned change to help unstick rings and lifters, not recommending or endorsing this in your engine, BUT, if someone else agrees that this might work for you, I don't see any potential for damage to your engine, it will also de-gunk the internals, just make sure to change the oil and filter real soon after adding, I would put the tranny fluid in in the morning and ride a 100 or so miles, and change the same afternoon

 

[ReconLdr]

How about swapping the tranny fluid for Seafoam???

I have done the ATF in the engine thing on cars too. I'm a little leary of putting ATF in my crankcase on my bike. (not sure why... just seams wrong to me)

 

[uly luigi]

IDK, I don't have any experience with SF, but if you are more comfortable, I say go for it

 

[Livers]

I am having to add almost 1/2 qt of engine oil every 200 miles.

Are you overfilling it? You generally don't get that much blow-by without seeing exhaust smoke also.

 

[ReconLdr]

Are you overfilling it? You generally don't get that much blow-by without seeing exhaust smoke also.

I don't think I am overfilling it. I top it off to the top line on the dipstick. Not a drop more.

 

[uly luigi]

hot or cold? Whenyou check it is the bike at operating temp. and just shut down?

 

[ReconLdr]

I check the oil when I start the bike (just to make sure the oil is present) then I ride it, and check the level when I park it. Example:

I make sure there is oil in the tank (on the dipstick) ride it to work, park the bike put the jack stands under the rear axle and check the level. If it is not to the top line on the dipstick, I add oil until it is on the top line. I repeat this process when I go home at night.

I haven't tried letting the level somewhere in between the lines though. I am afraid the tank will get too low and ruin my engine.

 

[Livers]

Carry a quart with you and add a bit when it is at the bottom mark. And try checking it only when hot, on the side stand. I guess what I'm saying is let it run down a bit and see if it stops spitting and consuming so much.