--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "spike55_bmw" wrote:
>
> Don:
> It doesn't sound like you broke anything that would stop the engine from running. I'm sort of surprised that you aren't able to see where the oil is leaking from. Take off the skid plate (plastic or metal) and look around.
>
> Just to confirm your suppositions, add oil and mark the level on the glass window with tape or something. Run the engine or ride the bike (still without the skid plate) until you see a gusher (STOP! right away) or once the engine is warmed up. Park it with a clean sheet of cardboard, section of newspapers, etc under it. Periodically check it out to see where the leak is occurring and if the oil level in the sight glass is stable.
>
> You may not have a 'real' leak but oil could have gotten past the internal engine baffles while laying on its side and come out the breather, or some other area.
>
> Don R100, A6F
>
> --- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "raydon_12" wrote:
> >
> > Greetings,
> > I have a 2001 KLR650 A15. In July, I was loading up to move to the Seattle, WA, area. There was a mishap while loading it into the U-haul, it fell sideways off the loading ramp, about a 3 foot drop, onto its left side. The bright/dim switch was smashed and the left mirror mount was broken. That's not a big deal, I can install replacements for that.
> >
> > When I arrived in Kirkland, there was a small puddle of light colored oil on the floor under the bike, it had been there about 6 days. While job hunting and so on its been parked at my sisters. Recently I was moving it around and checked the oil level window and it looks pretty much empty though I didn't have time to check it very closely.
> >
> > I have two questions. First, what would you suggest I check first to identify what all needs to be fixed. Second, eventually I'm going to need to find a good repair shop or some such in the Kirkland or Wenatchee, Washington areas.
> >
> > Thanks everyone,
> > Don
> >
>
Don,
I would also add to Don-SPike55 suggestion; wash the bike thoroughly before trying to hunt down the leak. Spray everything with enging decreaser and rinse, etc.
I would pay specific attention to the seal under the counter sproket (C/S), the oil drain plug, oil fill cap o-ring, the oil filter cap o-ring, the water pump casing/gasket, the lower unit gaskets for clutch and stator cases.
Fellow poster, John from San Diego, KLR rider aka the'klrbugeater' was here last spring with a HUGE OIL leak =qt/400mile size leak, that we confirmed to be a 'blown' seal that healed itself when we went from pure synthetic motor oil to pure dino Valvoline 10w40.
(NOTE: a 1000 mile oil change requirement as per other oil analysis etc. posted here and other places due to shearing)
At first glance, the nasty C/S manifested itself as an over-indulgent chain lube--due dilegent use of chain lube while riding miles and miles in the rain. Knowing that, I would suggest that you do not use chain lube/cleaner on the chain after cleaning the engine case until you have isolated the leak.
Locating this leak:
WE started with a wash down, followed by a short ride confirming the oil was leaking from the C/S. As it needed an oil change, (Yes, Virginia, we also ordered the seal from the Pierre,SD Kawi dealer) and I had the Valvoline 10/40 available --that is what we used. 400+ miles later, oil level was full, the seal was not leaking before he pushed off towards Kaleforkneea. Another oil change at 800+ miles, replaced with Rotella 15/40, the C/S leak proved to be fully cured without any additional leak/significant loss en-route to SDiego, CA.
So what if it is leaking at the C/S--
In your investigation of the leak, insure that your chain is not to tight as well. A tight chain will put pressure on the C/S and it will bow the seal--mi-nutely, minutely will be enough for the oil to escape. A good measure of a properly tensioned chain (assuming that it is aligned as well; while the bike is on the kickstand, you should be able to lift the lower part of the chain and touch the black chain-slider at trailing edge. That is more slack than KHI claims in the op handbook, but many here at DSN found that the handbook spec is to tight if you are using the full range of the suspension--which I suspect (and hope) you are!
Then there is the helpful-friend solution--
Prolly less than a 1% chance for this explanation--
Insure that you don't have a 'friend' that is making you nutz by dripping some oil under your bike. I have never done this, but a fellow DSN poster here tells a story that they used to make a fellow rider (a Harley guy) 100% crazy by 'leaking' oil under his non-leaking bike.
You have to admit, it is a pretty good prank--unless you are the one being punked.
IRT to the oil pooled under your bike, it also may have been a discharge from the air-cleaner area after the bike was taking a nap on its side. Only a slight possibility, but could happen.
It also has been my experience that sometimes, just sometimes, there is oil on the floor when we park, and don't notice it until we return. Coupled with the fact that your bike might have been low on oil, an unseen oil puddle, and/or a friend that is punking you--is a mix for a perfect-oil-storm.
Let us know what you discover.
revmaaatin.
I agree, was it not stated the bike fell off a ramp ?
How long did it lay there ? my bike has been on its side a few times in all sorts of angles, pointing down hill, up hill, handlebars down (upside down basically) but never for very long period of time.
Clean it up, remove bash plate, top off oil ride it and confirm its a actual leak, over oiling a air filter with motor oil can cause a drip out the over flow tube ( don't ask and I would tell, but chainsaw bar oil is much better )
Dooden
A15 Green Ape