999 Engine Case Staining - Possible Oil Leak?

[SeekingZero]

I have been having to clean up the area around my front sprocket almost weekly. At first I just figured it was all the grease from the chain. However, the last cleaning I did I cleaned the chain up really good. When I went to clean it up this morning, there seemed to be oil pooling in the bolt hole dimples.

I wiped up the access and took some pictures of my engine casing now tinted brown. Is it common for an oil leak somewhere around here? Is there anyway, or any product, that can clean the casing without ruining it?

The first image has a vivid effect on it so you can see where the oil/grease has been collecting on the engine staining it. The second one is more of what it looks like to the naked eye.

 

[motobecane10]

Have you added cluth fluid lately or in the recent past??

 

[ABC]

What fluid do you run in your hydraulic clutch? Mineral oil?

 

[EEL]

Its not your clutch fluid. It dries with a powdery white consistency


if you look carefully, you can see in your photo a leak from your crankshaft cover plate.

You'd be surprised how oil travels at speed.

Go the the dealer and get a new neoprene o-ring that fits into the backside of the plate. It will probably cost you about 5 bucks (1000% markup) but that should solve the problem

 

[SeekingZero]

I have not added or changed clutch fluid since I got the bike. That won't be for another 7000 miles. I will check the crankshaft cover plate. But I never have to wipe anything off of it. Remember, the first pic is a vivid shot.

 

[EEL]

Only other thing it could be is old lube flung of the chain.

 

[SeekingZero]

Apparently my clutch slave cylinder seal has gone out, and is a common problem.

And I have been told I can upgrade the slave cylinder, which will give a lighter clutch pull with a better sealing arrangement for only around $20. :clap: Now I just have to figure out how to clean up the mess it left.

 

[SeekingZero]

Replacing it seems like the thing to do, since even if you replace the piston, the pitting in the stock piece will likely just tear it up again. Evoluzione has since gone out of business but I did find a few on Ebay for $125. The next bet would be Oberon at $145.

 

[motobecane10]

Glad to see it remedied albeit for a few $$. it was my suspicion from the beginning.

Now I just have to figure out how to clean up the mess it left.

it has stained permanently so either replace the case cover or have it refinished by paint, powder coat etc.

 

[morthrane]

Or just ride the damned bike.

 

[SeekingZero]

Or just ride the damned bike.

What makes you think I don't! :laughing

This baby is my daily commuter/weekend warrior, but I can be a bit anal about keeping things clean. :x

 

[SeekingZero]

I felt I should update this and show the correct solution to the actually problem I turned out to have.

I talked to Mike at Nichol's Sportbikes about getting a new slave cylinder because of the oil leak I was having. He said that its not the slave cylinder and almost never is. The leak, which seems to be typical, comes from the chain bouncing from the front sprocket and nicking the engine. I was skeptical but sure enough, we clean up the area in front of the chain and there was the nick in the case.

In order to fix the leak you have to remove the left stator side cover and take a light file to the edge to get it smooth again since it nicks the joint. Then in order to keep the chain from nicking the engine again, get a case guard. I got one from Cox Racing Group.

Hope this helps someone.