Mysterious oil leak (big pictures) [Updated]

[BuzZz]

If that cylinder is (or has been in the past) not burning it's mixture correctly (bad spark, too rich, etc) and/or is leaking some oil down a valvestem or past the rings...... then an sludgy, oily, gassy smelling goop can condense in the exhaust over time.

So that narrows it down to the general 'engine' area... helpful, eh?

Those holes are there to let any fluid out, weather it's water, fuel or oil, as a 'just in case' liability avoidance sorta thing.

[DieMonkeys]

I went to a bike maintenance get together in Richmond, VA today, had a guy with a bit more knowledge look at the bike.

Glad to know where the leak on my bike is actually coming from. There is a crack in the frame that heads to the oil cooler that was JB welded shut before I got the bike and cracked again after I got it. We got it patched up with more JB Weld (after sanding the old stuff off) and it lasted a while but oil started leaking again on the ride home.

When I got home and checked the spot we patched the part I felt was bone dry, which is great. Though, I wonder if on closer inspection that I missed a spot with the JB Weld and it's leaking where I wasn't about to stick my finger while the engine was hot. I'll double check tomorrow.

I'll be off the bike for a while, noticed that my riding permit expires today. I'll either have to get a learner's (possibly a license if they'll take my SC MSF card up here) for Virginia, or have my mother grab me a new updated copy from SC and mail it with my Battery Tender.

Dunno, but for now I'm going to take off the exhaust and find any more leaks if I can, mark them and take the bike (on a trailer) to some radiator/muffler shop and have them permanently weld the cracks.

After that I will have the fork seals replaced. And then I think the bike will be in good shape! I can start saving for my next set of tires.

[mydlyfkryzis]

DieMonkeys,

I noticed in the picture you have no plug in the drain tube from the air cleaner (Clear but yellowed line, about 1/2 inch OD, NOT the battery drain which is smaller)) which exits under the frame. This line should be plugged so you don't pull in unfiltered air into the engine. When the line gets an inch or two of condensate in it, you pull the plug, drain it, the replace the plug.

[DieMonkeys]

DieMonkeys,

I noticed in the picture you have no plug in the drain tube from the air cleaner (Clear but yellowed line, about 1/2 inch OD, NOT the battery drain which is smaller)) which exits under the frame. This line should be plugged so you don't pull in unfiltered air into the engine. When the line gets an inch or two of condensate in it, you pull the plug, drain it, the replace the plug.

Next time I'm at the hardware store I'll pick up a little plug.

[pvo22]

I have the same bike. My shop manual says to use 10w-40 oil. May want to consider switching.