[plexiform]

Whats the best way to diagnose where an oil leak is coming from? My 2005 F4 AGO drips a good amount of oil. I am going to do my first oil/filter change and change the main oil pan gasket for starters and hope this fixes it. Any thoughts before I start would be appreciated.

 

[silentservice703]

Well, the first thing one usually does is to clean up all of the evidence of oil that currently exists. Then run the bike and look for the source. The source will be above where you find the oil drips. If you ride the bike, the oil will blow around and make it difficult to find the source.

Some folks use foot powder or talcum to find leaks, others use dye penetrant developer powder.

Observation skills are key.

All that being said, it does look like, in your case, the oil pan gasket is leaking. You have to be careful with those bolts that attach the oil pan. You can easily strip the threads out of the aluminum engine block.

Use care, clean everything up, apply a new gasket and carefully torque the bolts to spec...it is a very light spec.

For the oil filter, follow the same process of clean up and attachment, spinning the filter to just hand snug and then a half turn or so to tighten.

 

[esq'z me]

You forgot to tell him about the side stand mount aggravating the oil pan sealing!!

Check it, too.

 

[plexiform]

Will give it a shot today. Do you know what the torque spec is for the oil pan bolts? What is the side stand mount aggravation?

 

[plexiform]

I just read about the side stand problem. It is bolted to the side of the oil pan therefore the more it sits on the side stand the more constant pressure on the bolts holding the oil pan in place which eventually causes loosening and oil leaking. this is probably my problem since my bike sat on the side stand for a long time not being ridden. I will change the gasket and tighten bolts to spec and then keep it on the center stand i have now to avoid this side stand issue. I suppose another solution would be to just ride it more. Will have to work on that also.

 

[silentservice703]

The side stand mounts to the oil pan. (Oil Cup in the engine manual). The side stand aggravates the loosening of the Oil Cup fixing bolts. i.e. they loosen over time and use of the side stand.

The Oil Cup fixing bolt torque is 10 nm. This is a very light torque.

The side stand fixing bolts get torqued to 25 nm

 

[plexiform]

What to do if the oil cup bolts have already been over tightened?

 

[silentservice703]

Upon removal, stiction will make you think they are over tightened. When restoring them, simply tighten to spec.

 

[Teeps]

What to do if the oil cup bolts have already been over tightened?

If the threads in the engine block are stripped out.
A thread insert will have to be installed. Time-Sert or Heli-Coil.

 

[nigelrb]

I have no oil leaks but glad I read this. The side-stand issue in particular is one I'll now be mindful of, and like 'plexiform' shall make more use of centrestand/paddock stand.

 

[theknurl]

?

plexiform;
Stop making this a major event.......

Your pan bolts are loose on the left side, retorque them.....
Then go to the auto parts store and buy a 32oz squirt bottle of Gunk Citrus Engine Degreaser,
it doesn't stink like the old stuff, clean the lower part of the motor

Ride the bike and then try the talcum powder trick.....remember you may be squeezing oil out of the gasket
As long as the gasket isn't broken I wouldn't replace it, after a 2nd cleaning it still leaks .....
Drain the oil, remove the pan, clean everything with acetone or lacquer thinner and use RTV silicone on both sides
of the gasket, no more than 0.005" thick

:wink2:

 

[theknurl]

?

I have no oil leaks but glad I read this. The side-stand issue in particular is one I'll now be mindful of, and like 'plexiform' shall make more use of centrestand/paddock stand.

nigelrb;
I have 35,000+mi on my B4, I've welded up the bottom of the side stand twice because it was getting too short>

Just check the pan and stand mounting bolts when you change the oil or see an oil leak

:wink2:

 

[silentservice703]

Oh, I don't know Noel...I think, based on the "mechanic's" opinion, the bike should be scrapped. I'll pay $50.00 for the title and I'll go pick the bike up....>:stickpoke:f4: