Detecting the source of an oil leak?

My K4 seems to be leaking engine oil. Most of the oil is dripping off the sump plug, but I'd expect this, what with it being the low point of the engine. Some (more than the usual front sprocket chain fling) is coming off near the side stand too. I've changed the oil, filter and sump plug washer (and re-torqued it up correctly), checked all the oil lines on that bit of the engine were done up nice and tight and then gave it a good clean underneath the engine, but it appears to still be there.

Any tips on how to detect where exactly oil leaks are occurring as I'd prefer to fix this myself if possible rather than take it to a garage. I'm considering giving the bottom of the engine a really good clean, parking the bike on a level surface (somewhere outdoors to avoid gassing myself) and then lying down on the floor next to the front LHS of the bike and letting the engine idle and waiting to see where oil appears. Is there anything else I could try? Once I've located somewhere I suspect is causing the leak, any tests to confirm it?

I've heard of lithium grease being used to fix (well, bodge) minor oil leaks, any advice other than smother the offending part in grease?

As an aside, I heard a nasty clunk a while back when I bumped the bike up over a kerb, so it might of been caused by this. Any ideas on what might of caught on the bottom of the engine (both the sump plug and protective leading edge 'fin' seem fine).

[DaveW_42]

have you checked all your breather hoses under the airbox?

[yorkie_chris]

+1

Also degreasing it all and dusting it in talc can help you see where it's coming from.

Hadn't checked the breather pipes at all yet. Will do that this weekend, thanks chaps.

Talking of breather hoses, I've just thought of something; I recently started using an anti-pinch pin which goes through the frame in the place shown in the diagram below (although I have a K4S). I take it this is where the breather hoses are and I've probably knocked one loose a bit?

[yorkie_chris]

Quite possibly, same area.

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

+1

Also degreasing it all and dusting it in talc can help you see where it's coming from.

A tip from im Indoors no less...soemthing I still haven't got round to doing on mine

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I'd hijack this one.

After replacing my clutch cover and solving one leak, I now have another. Oil is dripping onto the exhaust pipe (the part where both pipes from the cylinders join together -is that the "collector" pipe?).

I cleaned it last weekend to see if I could trace it. It seems to be only a specific place, under the bike- there's a bit of mess behind the frame there- so I'm thinking the seal may have split on the main gearbox cover (that holds the clutch cover and pump housing) in place. Any other suggestions? (it's a curvy, btw).

It's also not really leaking much- doesn't happen if the bike is sitting on idle for 5-10 mins, but after the 25-30 min commute it drips a little on the journey by the looks of things, but not when the engine stops.

It's possible I overfilled the oil reservoir a little, but not disastrously so, looking at the level and I'm not really riding above 8k revs- so not really pushing the engine as such.

I'm not keen on taking the whole lot of casing off at the mo- don't have the weekend weather to be exposing the clutch/gears, as my bike's stored (and worked on) outside.

Also, it looks like the collar on the exhaust is coming loose where the front downpipe joins the collector pipe- will this cause major problems? Is it worth paying for it to be welded back on/replaced?

[yorkie_chris]

I would say it's clutch cover, or one of bolts, if you haven't moved entire side cover then it's unlikely to be that gasket. Trace leak, bit of sealant on a bolt head could be enough to cure it.

[yorkie_chris]

Ignore the clamp, it'll be fine