Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« on: August 12, 2018, 07:58:46 PM » |
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For the first time ever I had three drops of oil on my garage floor from my valk!  Short of a crack in the case, the only thing I can figure is the drain plug wasn't seated quite right--maybe the alum crush washer--so I broke it loose and reseated it. Then I dried everything completely so I can keep checking it. The oil was right around the drain, nowhere else, and can't understand how it could weep past like that--anybody else have that happen? I sure hope it ain't a cracked case or something! |
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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sandy
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« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2018, 08:06:20 PM » |
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Could be the crush washer was used too many times? Next time change it with the oil.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2018, 08:38:48 PM » |
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I've been using the same crush washers for years, and never a drop.
Fluids (oil, or oily residue like from the blow-by dragon drool tube (close to the drain), or intake leaks) travel downhill with gravity. Just because its under/near the drain doesn't mean it didn't come from higher up. Use a flashlight at different angles (often better in the garage and not sun) to see if you can find a shiny streak revealing the source (if it's not the drain bolt). Sometimes you want to wait before cleaning everything up (except the floor).
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« Last Edit: August 12, 2018, 08:41:01 PM by Jess from VA »
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2018, 08:48:08 PM » |
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yeah I knew the drain bolt and crush Washer being the cause was a long shot, but I really did inspect under there with a mirror and a flashlight couldn't see any source from a point that's higher which really bothers me. I'll take a ride tomorrow and then inspect after and update. I've actually never had a motorcycle oil drain plug leak and I've had like 40 bikes, but I have had car drain plugs leak even recently
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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da prez
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« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2018, 04:59:32 AM » |
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Clean , I use parts cleaner spray , the plug and gasket when out. A small piece of grit could cause the symptom. (hd)
da prez
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98valk
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« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2018, 06:50:41 AM » |
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oil filter needs 1/8 turn?
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2018, 06:57:04 AM » |
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The only oil leak from the Valkyrie engine that's been reported on this forum has been from the shifter rod when the oil seal starts to leak a bit.
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2018, 07:25:49 AM » |
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I'm fairly certain it's not the filter or the shifter seal, as it's bone dry everywhere near those areas, and I can see the point of origin is towards the right of the engine case. My guess is it's either a crack in the case or the drain plug/washer wasn't seated properly. I'll keep you posted.
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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98valk
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« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2018, 07:47:25 AM » |
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I'm fairly certain it's not the filter or the shifter seal, as it's bone dry everywhere near those areas, and I can see the point of origin is towards the right of the engine case. My guess is it's either a crack in the case or the drain plug/washer wasn't seated properly. I'll keep you posted.
were u following a harley on your last ride?  |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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RonW
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« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2018, 08:28:29 AM » |
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Never know, might have picked up some oil while riding. Did you have a re-drip after drying up the underside of the engine?
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2018, 01:08:07 PM » |
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I'm fairly certain it's not the filter or the shifter seal, as it's bone dry everywhere near those areas, and I can see the point of origin is towards the right of the engine case. My guess is it's either a crack in the case or the drain plug/washer wasn't seated properly. I'll keep you posted.
were u following a harley on your last ride? no I normally stay out in front of them  |
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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98valk
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« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2018, 01:33:51 PM » |
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I'm fairly certain it's not the filter or the shifter seal, as it's bone dry everywhere near those areas, and I can see the point of origin is towards the right of the engine case. My guess is it's either a crack in the case or the drain plug/washer wasn't seated properly. I'll keep you posted.
were u following a harley on your last ride? no I normally stay out in front of them  |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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longrider
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« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2018, 02:14:26 PM » |
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Check and make sure the Oring is on the fill plug. Also check real close around the oil pressure sending unit
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2018, 04:14:29 PM » |
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Update: I took a 100 mile ride today, plenty hot this afternoon, and when I got back, bone dry. There wasn't any leaking around the fill hole (o-ring is on the cap), and bone dry around the sending unit as well. I can't figure where the oil leaked from. The only thing is the dragon drool tube was pretty full yesterday, so I emptied it, but I've had it that full before and besides it was oil on the bottom of my engine not that nasty drool stuff. So I'm going to say case closed, unsolved mystery, must have been my drain plug/crush washer poorly seated. I'm just glad it wasn't my worst nightmare--cracked engine case!!
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« Last Edit: August 13, 2018, 04:16:49 PM by Tfrank59 »
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #14 on: August 13, 2018, 04:27:01 PM » |
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Update: I took a 100 mile ride today, plenty hot this afternoon, and when I got back, bone dry. There wasn't any leaking around the fill hole (o-ring is on the cap), and bone dry around the sending unit as well. I can't figure where the oil leaked from. The only thing is the dragon drool tube was pretty full yesterday, so I emptied it, but I've had it that full before and besides it was oil on the bottom of my engine not that nasty drool stuff. So I'm going to say case closed, unsolved mystery, must have been my drain plug/crush washer poorly seated. I'm just glad it wasn't my worst nightmare--cracked engine case!!
sometimes it takes just a speck of dirt on the crush washer to create some seepage. |
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1750
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2018, 05:50:07 AM » |
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Replace the aluminum washer with a copper one. The PO of my bike literally crushed the one on mine thus I had a drip when I 1st. got the girl.
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« Last Edit: August 14, 2018, 05:53:58 AM by h13man »
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2018, 06:36:24 AM » |
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Replace the aluminum washer with a copper one. The PO of my bike literally crushed the one on mine thus I had a drip when I 1st. got the girl.
That's kind of interesting. But I'm going to say aluminum or copper if you have some dirt or grit under there it's going to leak, like the guys were saying, and that's the only thing I can conclude here in my case. Besides I have a whole pile of the aluminum ones in my toolbox  |
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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98valk
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« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2018, 08:36:25 AM » |
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Replace the aluminum washer with a copper one. The PO of my bike literally crushed the one on mine thus I had a drip when I 1st. got the girl.
galvanic corrosion going on there with aluminum and copper. not a good combo. use an aluminum washer only. |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1750
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #18 on: August 15, 2018, 07:33:53 AM » |
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No problem with that whatsoever after 29,000 mi./6 oil changes. I'm assuming electrically speaking you are right, but in a straight up mechanical fit to my knowledge, hasn't been a problem but...
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98valk
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« Reply #19 on: August 15, 2018, 08:32:18 AM » |
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No problem with that whatsoever after 29,000 mi./6 oil changes. I'm assuming electrically speaking you are right, but in a straight up mechanical fit to my knowledge, hasn't been a problem but...
all it needs is some dirt/minerals mainly salt and water and/or air moisture. finding some white engine case corrosion one day will not make u happy.  |
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1998 Std/Tourer, 2007 DR200SE, 1981 CB900C 10speed
1973 Duster 340 4-speed rare A/C, 2001 F250 4x4 7.3L, 6sp
"Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the goverment of any other."
John Adams 10/11/1798
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1750
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #20 on: August 17, 2018, 07:55:10 AM » |
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Well after some research, the exposure to salt/water situation does cause a corrosion but I don't have that issue here in the Midwest unless I purposely put my ride out on the wintery roads and that's not going to happen. Also copper washers are used again on our fork tube "pipe" bolts and are definitely in an area that corrosion can be more a problem. The last 4 metric bikes I've owned and the oldest being the Valk @ 99' have all had these on the forks with no signs of corrosion. Living in a coastal/salt water areas are definitely more corrosive than inland areas. I would say boat owners know this more than anybody. Yes our drain plugs are exposed to the elements but can be rinsed with clean elements as well as dirty one's. The failure of aluminum crush washer worry's me more than corrosion of the copper washer as my environment hasn't dictated this being a problem. My winter storage is very well insulated from the elements also. To everything there is an exception.
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #21 on: August 17, 2018, 11:21:45 AM » |
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What actually concerns me more than the crush washers material is its diameter OD and ID being correct. I think if the diameters are too big or small it won't seal like it should just an observation
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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9Ball
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« Reply #22 on: August 18, 2018, 04:20:24 AM » |
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Look for possible cracks in the area of the drain plug. I saw one Interstate that the dealer did an oil change on that not only deformed the crush washer such that it was wrapped around the drain bolt. It also caused a crack on the casing. It was hard to see, but it allowed oil to weep from the split. I can’t imagine how much torque they must have applied, but it must have been tightened with an impact gun.
Hope this isn’t your situation. Need to inspect the area with a magnifier to rule this out.
As far as crush washer material, the water pump drain bolt has a copper sealing washer and I’ve seen some corrosion on the drain bolt as a result. With the frequency that oil changes are performed maybe the drain bolt material is inconsequential, but I still would use the aluminum 14mm crush washer.
Good luck...
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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Tfrank59
Member
Posts: 1364
'98 Tourer
Western Washington
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« Reply #23 on: August 18, 2018, 04:56:56 AM » |
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Yeah crack in the case was my worst fear, it was also my first thought when I saw oil, but the leak did stop once I reseated the drain plug. I know there's a thread on this forum about somebody who has a cracked case and that's why I thought of that but I think I dodged that bullet. I also make sure not to over torque the drain bolt  |
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-Tom
Keep the rubber side down. USMC '78-'84
'98 Valkyrie, ‘02 VTX 1800, '96 Royal Star, '06 Drifter, '09 Bonneville, '10 KTM 530, '04 XR 650, '76 Bultaco, '81 CR 450, '78 GS 750...
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