oil leak..

Just discovred an oil leak, the bottom of the engine is covered ..any suggestions? I've checked hoses etc, its a fairly big leak..

Anyone

[squirrel_hunter]

First clean it up. Secondly check your oil level, how much have you actually lost, is there a puddle on the floor? Oil is very similar to blood, a little can go a long way...

Traditionally the curvy leaks a little from the plastic clutch cover, not sure which model you have?

With the engine clean you might be able to locate it. Things to check are the gaskets around the clutch cover and alternator cover, that there are no bolts loose or missing, that the drain bolt is secure and the sealing washer is doing its job, that the oil filter is secure, that the engine breather hoses are connected to the air box still, and finally that you have a nut on the end of the output shaft (otherwise known as the nut holding your front sprocket on) you will need to remove the sprocket cover to check this. Every thing is basically visual checks in the first instance.

Ok, I've discovred where the leak is coming from-Have'nt had chance to do anything about it yet though. It appears it's coming from the left had side of the bike and from the bolt that holds the belly pan thing on?

anyone shed any light on what it could be? is it as simple as tightening that bolt?

[squirrel_hunter]

It is likely that the bolt is loose which is allowing oil to seep through the gasket. First step would be to check that the bolt is tight, but I don't mean that you need to lean on it with a breaker bar as that might cause you more problems. Just see if it can be nipped up if loose. If not then its possible the gasket may be damaged and a replacement needed.

However the belly pan is not exactly a standard item and it may be mounted via a number of different bolts. Can you post a picture to confirm the bolt and the leak?

Ok its a 8mm bolt which is defiantly the issue, it doesn't tighten it just spins. Help I've witnessed it trickling out around the bolt, its one of many 8 mm bolts

It's one of these bolts but on the left hand side of bike..http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...t=bolt+tighten

[sniff]

Originally Posted by JonGeorge

It's one of these bolts but on the left hand side of bike..http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...t=bolt+tighten

Not bad thats the right hand side of the bike.

I've also got a leak on my K9S on the same side. Thought it was my sump bolt but turns out its not. I'll get to look at it next week hopefully.

[squirrel_hunter]

A picture would confirm the bolt, however I think it this sound like an Alternator Cover bolt. If it turns but does not tighten then I would suggest that the thread has been stripped. Take the bolt out and see if the thread on the bolt is intact or if you have some pieces of metal on it. I would imagine its taken the thread from the engine crank case which is why its not tightening, why it is not sealing the cover to the case, why the gasket is not sealing, and why your engine is leaking oil.

My suggested fix would be to fit a new thread, be it Helicoil or other means. If this were on my bike I would have to take it to a dealer to remedy.