Oil leak from engine's left side plastic cover - what is it?

[BigV]

Hi,

Got my K7 SV650S out after 2 months of not being able to ride. Started her up and she got to normal engine temp...all was good until I noticed a liquid on the floor under the areas marked on the pic. Fluid is clear, I thought it might be water or something but it doesn't smell like water. :rolleyes:

http://forums.sv650.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=15544&d=1449821194

Anyways, noticed the leak of what I can only assume is some type of oil on the circled parts of that plastic cover.

1. What is behind that cover, I know the other side is the clutch etc, but what is behind there on the side I'm getting the leak?
2. What oil is leaking?
3. How do I fix it?
4. Can I still ride with the leak or am I at risk of it landing up on the rear wheel and then sliding out?

Tnx
BV

[Craig380]

That's the generator under the cover. How much liquid was there on the floor?

I would suspect it's coolant, as on the left side of the bike there's the coolant expansion bottle and the thermostat sits between the cylinders, so if there's a small weep of coolant from any of the pipes going to and from the thermostat, and the bike is ticking over on the side stand, it could find its way onto the cover where you spotted it.

Have a good look using a torch around the thermostat hoses etc, it might be just a few drips from a loose hose clamp.

[BigV]

Ah ok cool, makes sense as she was on he kickstand so it would collect there. I thought it was leaking from the bolt of the cover. I will take a look this evening. So irritated...was looking forward to my ride today :(

[BigV]

Sorry, just read your reply again. Not a lot of liquid. on the floor, about the size of the palm of a medium sized guys hand? :D

[Craig380]

That's not much liquid, to be honest - a tablespoon of water would easily make a pool / stain the size of the palm of your hand.

As mentioned, I would look at hose clamps around the thermostat, the big hose that goes to the top left of the radiator might drip that way if it has a slight weep from somewhere.

[BigV]

Thanks again, will do...hope it's just a loose connection ;)

[BigV]

I have some talcum powder, heard you can sprinkle over affected area and then the leak source should show itself - follow the leak trail back to the source. Anyone tried this method?

[Corny Gizmo]

yes, clean it all, then throw some talc on it

[Toooldtodie]

If it's been laid up for a while, could it just be condensation?
Check the coolant level then go out for a short ride, park it up and see if the patch reappears.
Do not ignore it because that's how I spotted my radiator was FUBAR. If it doesn't smell and is slippy it's probably coolant.

[Red Herring]

Was it parked up inside or out in the elements. Could it simply be water that had collected and then been dislodged by you starting it up?