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Post by ibtrikin on Jun 22, 2012 22:44:14 GMT -5
The red trike developed an oil leak at only 1400 miles and oil was all over under the seat and gas tank. I had to take it in to the dealer, because I could not see where it was coming from. He said it was a gasket on the head for the oil bypass. Does that sound right? Anyone else have this problem?
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Post by mechaniczman on Jun 23, 2012 2:06:38 GMT -5
wats up edfr
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Post by waterjunk on Jun 23, 2012 22:19:06 GMT -5
That wile coyote..
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Post by ibtrikin on Jun 28, 2012 16:40:40 GMT -5
Turns out the head bolts weren't torqued correctly from the factory. One of them had backed off a bit and oil was leaking. they put a new gasket on and re-torqued the head bolts. Hopefully it's ok now. I go pick it up tomorrow. Luckily it was still under warranty.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jun 30, 2012 14:00:32 GMT -5
I picked up the trike yesterday, got it home and there's oil everywhere again. It rode like a champ, though. When I picked it up, the dealer said it was the valve cover gasket leaking. the other day, he said it was the head bolts weren't tight, so I guess he's politely telling me I'm on my own. It's 105 degrees today, so I'll look it over later, but I'll probably have to take it back in.
1500 miles on the odo and it's leaking like a sieve. The blue one has 2300 and is clean as a pin. Go figure. I guess the red one was built on Friday.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 1, 2012 9:30:49 GMT -5
I was checking the trike out this morning. I took the fan shroud off the engine, wiped everything off, started it up, nothing leaking. It seems like oil is coming out of the hose going into the intake manifold. I figured the EVAP can(black box) probably has oil in it. So, I disconnected the valve cover vent line from the black box, tied it up high with a fuel filter on it, and took the "Y" with the other 2 useless hoses on it off of the black box.
I went for a short ride to get WOT(this is when it seems to leak), and when I got back home, there is oil on the bottom of the access door under the seat, on the intake manifold hose, and the side of the engine opposite the spark plug.
Now, I'm confused. The fuel filter on the valve cover vent line is clean.
I still think the intake manifold hose is sucking oil out of the black box, but it seems like there would be oil on the spark plug side of the engine. Could it be spraying the seat pan and it's dripping on the CVT side of the engine? Should I disconnect the intake hose from the black box or leave it connected?
I don't think any of the engine gaskets are leaking, because the scooter is running great, just leaking oil.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 2, 2012 16:13:11 GMT -5
Well, it wasn't the valve cover vent hose. I've still got oil all under the seat and on the gas tank. Wherever it's leaking from, the fan seems to be blowing it upwards. Anyone have any clue what I should check next?
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Post by jonglauser on Jul 2, 2012 16:40:14 GMT -5
My scoot seems to have the same symptoms as yours. Mine is getting worse. I figure it's one of the two cylinder gaskets on mine. Oil blown everywhere, mostly on the side opposite from the spark plug, no obvious source.
I was thinking if I have to tear it all apart to replace a couple gaskets I ought to spend the time installing a BBK as well. I have yet to take any action other than keep the oil topped up.
I'd like to know what you find on yours!
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 2, 2012 18:00:22 GMT -5
I found the problem. The head has two cracks in it. One on top near the chain tensioner and one below the bolt on the side of the head. It's going back to the dealer. 1500 miles and the head's cracked. I don't think so....  |
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Post by jonglauser on Jul 9, 2012 16:56:57 GMT -5
now I'll have to check mine when I get a chance
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 9, 2012 18:32:48 GMT -5
Fingers are crossed. Good luck.
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Post by Parker2100 on Jul 13, 2012 20:41:58 GMT -5
Heart Breaker! Sorry for your loss.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 13, 2012 22:59:08 GMT -5
Still under warranty  It's being replaced. |
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Post by crazynavyjeff on Jul 21, 2012 13:55:55 GMT -5
These engines run on crankcase pressure vs vacuum, you have to build a hose that runs from the valve cover vent to a PVC valve, and put a Y fitting and again run a hose to your dip stick connection, they sell kits for this you can pick up at a lot of web sites, the trick is to keep the hoses up so you do not make a loop seal, but you have to take the pressure off the crank case or as long as you run you will leak oil. The kits come with a can, you will send that much oil up, but once you turn off the engine it drains back into the dipstick connection.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 21, 2012 16:40:08 GMT -5
What? I've got a cracked head, man. What does that have to do with the valve cover vent?
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Post by h3nry on Jul 21, 2012 20:21:40 GMT -5
i love how the camera chose to focus way back there lol |
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Post by Parker2100 on Jul 21, 2012 21:19:36 GMT -5
Think I can see the crack. Is it running horizontal?
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Post by OverReved on Jul 21, 2012 21:31:33 GMT -5
What a mess. Buy a 4$ can of brake cleaner and give that thing a BATH, Wash all of that oil off of the COLD engine and allow to air dry. Crank that scooter up after you've allowed to dry and dried any puddles of cleaner and look for your oil leak again. This is the process I always use when dealing with an oil leak on an engine with clean oil. The dirty oil is easier to trace back to it's source.
Your picture is indeed a bit fuzzy so I can't pass judgment on your crack. Could be a casting line.
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 21, 2012 22:07:31 GMT -5
i love how the camera chose to focus way back there lol Yeah, lol. It's a great camera(kodak easy share), takes great pictures, but it doesn't do close-ups worth a dime. |
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 21, 2012 22:08:37 GMT -5
Think I can see the crack. Is it running horizontal? Yes, it's hard to see in the picture, but it IS there. |
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Post by ibtrikin on Jul 21, 2012 22:09:26 GMT -5
What a mess. Buy a 4$ can of brake cleaner and give that thing a BATH, Wash all of that oil off of the COLD engine and allow to air dry. Crank that scooter up after you've allowed to dry and dried any puddles of cleaner and look for your oil leak again. This is the process I always use when dealing with an oil leak on an engine with clean oil. The dirty oil is easier to trace back to it's source. Your picture is indeed a bit fuzzy so I can't pass judgment on your crack. Could be a casting line. Already found the leak. It is most definitely cracked. |
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Post by ibtrikin on Aug 31, 2012 21:51:30 GMT -5
So, the dealer replaced the valve cover. I still have a head with 2 cracks in it. I'm still leaking oil, and I don't want to go another 3 weeks without my trike. I wonder if I could clean it really good, scuff it, and JB Weld it. If it would just hold until tax time I'd like to do a BBK on it anyway. Think JB Weld would fix it for a few months? There shouldn't be a lot of pressure in the area that's cracked. It's in the timing chain area near the tensioner.
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Post by ibtrikin on Sept 2, 2012 17:42:05 GMT -5
I tried the JB weld on the cracks today. Hopefully it will hold. While I had the carb off I cleaned it and installed a 115 main jet and 38 pilot jet. I'll have to re-tune tomorrow, so the JB Weld can fully cure. I'll let you all know how it goes.
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Post by Parker2100 on Sept 2, 2012 19:20:10 GMT -5
Ah Man! You know, I can literally feel my heart sink hearing this saga. Most the dealers seem to be all the same (present company excluded, I hope) they don't care about making it good. They just want to do what they think will keep the customer quiet at the least expense to them.
They count on a customer who does not know and will be greatful for whatever they do. Didn't they even look to see if the problem was fixed before they sent it back to you?
This isn't a case of a customer imagining problems or being demanding. Simple....is it still leaking? No-fine, Yes-fix it!
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Post by quest4fire on Sept 2, 2012 19:41:05 GMT -5
Last year I had a leak like that on my 1984 Honda Elite. Oil all over. Tried to get it inspected but the mech insisted the valve cover gasket was leaking. I checked it over at home, and it was the dipstick. Wasn't screwed in just right. I cleaned out the threads on that stubby dipstick, put it in properly and no more spray.
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Post by wiredgeorge on Sept 4, 2012 8:18:48 GMT -5
One neat trick used by pro mechanics to find leaks is to clean the engine with engine degreaser and then a light spray with powder-based deodorant then start the engine. The powder clings and any oil will soon appear clearly in the powder.
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Post by ibtrikin on Sept 4, 2012 18:05:08 GMT -5
Ah Man! You know, I can literally feel my heart sink hearing this saga. Most the dealers seem to be all the same (present company excluded, I hope) they don't care about making it good. They just want to do what they think will keep the customer quiet at the least expense to them. They count on a customer who does not know and will be greatful for whatever they do. Didn't they even look to see if the problem was fixed before they sent it back to you? This isn't a case of a customer imagining problems or being demanding. Simple....is it still leaking? No-fine, Yes-fix it! No, they didn't check it. Hell, they didn't do anything to it. They said the changed the valve cover, but my zip tie was still on the vent hose. They held it 3 weeks and washed it off, best I can tell. |
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Post by ibtrikin on Sept 4, 2012 18:06:25 GMT -5
One neat trick used by pro mechanics to find leaks is to clean the engine with engine degreaser and then a light spray with powder-based deodorant then start the engine. The powder clings and any oil will soon appear clearly in the powder. That's a great idea! I'll try it this weekend. |
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Post by ibtrikin on Sept 4, 2012 18:07:49 GMT -5
Last year I had a leak like that on my 1984 Honda Elite. Oil all over. Tried to get it inspected but the mech insisted the valve cover gasket was leaking. I checked it over at home, and it was the dipstick. Wasn't screwed in just right. I cleaned out the threads on that stubby dipstick, put it in properly and no more spray. Was yours leaking on the other side of the engine? If so, how was the dipstick the culprit? |
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Post by wiredgeorge on Sept 5, 2012 8:01:28 GMT -5
Crankcase pressure will blow engine oil out the dipstick well if the dipstick isn't seated, I think.
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It's being replaced.
