Already leaking oil

[Einar]

Only approx. 1,900 miles and the R3 GT is already leaking oil. It seems to be coming from the seam/gasket along the lower side of the transmission, near and behind the forward controls. Of course, further back the wind from riding has blown it all over including along the side of the starter and along the swingarm. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the cause of some "squirreliness" I felt from the rear, though I don't see any oil on the tire.

 

[Kevin frazier]

Have you checked torque on those case bolts?

 

[Protonhound]

I don't know if gasket technology has changed but I remember that the old "common wisdom" is to use mineral oil in a new engine until the gaskets have broken in and swelled up so when full synthetic is added after certain miles the much slippery oil does not seep through.

 

[Gerald]

I don't know if gasket technology has changed but I remember that the old "common wisdom" is to use mineral oil in a new engine until the gaskets have broken in and swelled up so when full synthetic is added after certain miles the much slippery oil does not seep through.

I'd check all areas, gaskets and seals above lower surfaces for leaks first.

 

[Einar]

Have you checked torque on those case bolts?

Yes, the dealer and I both did. They claimed it was a loose oil filter, tightened it, then sent me home. But 40 miles later I noted fresh oil along the left side. At this point it looks like I have two (remaining) leaks: the gear position sensor and the seal between the upper and lower crankcase.

The sensor's bolts were under-torqued and setting them to the correct torque has slowed the leak there, but not stopped it. I suspect an issue with one or both O-rings.

There's also a separate leak on the same side, coming from the seam between the upper and lower crankcases "hidden" behind the mount for the forward controls.

 

[Einar]

Turns out there wasn't a separate leak. I put a dab of RTV on the seam joining the upper and lower crankcase, between the two suspected leak sources, to prevent migration from one area to another, and found all of the oil was actually just coming from the gear position sensor. It needed new o-rings, and the issue now appears to be fixed. Probably (yet another) assembly error at the factory.

 

[Journeyman]

Turns out there wasn't a separate leak. I put a dab of RTV on the seam joining the upper and lower crankcase, between the two suspected leak sources, to prevent migration from one area to another, and found all of the oil was actually just coming from the gear position sensor. It needed new o-rings, and the issue now appears to be fixed. Probably (yet another) assembly error at the factory.

As you already know (and commented) - I found the same exact issue and made a related post yesterday. What is the chance of that! Mine never dripped while parked, but must have leaked only when riding and then blew and/or cooked off. You and I were both losing about a quart/3k miles. I wonder from earlier posts about oil usage how many other 2.5 riders have the same issue and don't know it. I think it's possibly been going on since I got the bike.

2.5 using oil

Found out my bike has been leaking oil. It's always "used oil" and I wonder if this could be where it's been going all along- seems likely. It's coming from the gear position sensor and is slow enough that it never drips beneath the bike and may only happen when the bike is running. If so, the...

www.r3owners.net

 

[TURBO200R4]

Probably the ones installed on Friday night
Lol

 

[Ironuout]

Turns out there wasn't a separate leak. I put a dab of RTV on the seam joining the upper and lower crankcase, between the two suspected leak sources, to prevent migration from one area to another, and found all of the oil was actually just coming from the gear position sensor. It needed new o-rings, and the issue now appears to be fixed. Probably (yet another) assembly error at the factory.

Could you post a picture of where the gear position sensor is..

 

[Tal]

I'm on my third GT and ..touch wood...no problems as yet....got 20,000kms on the current one.