Oil Filter Cover Leak (can changing the oil ever be easy?)

[tussey]

I hate changing the oil on my bike. I've done it twice and it's always a hassle. It never seals up properly. The studs, caps, and gasket are BRAND NEW. It's still leaking. The surfaces where the cover joins are both smooth. I've cleaned them. The gasket isn't pinched.

Initially it was leaking alot of oil and the caps were too loose (post over tightening fear) so I tightened them up a bit. That seemed to have helped. But it still drips, enough to make a dime sized puddle as soon as I turn the bike on.

I'm afraid going tighter may strip the caps.

Any suggestions?

[ohgood]

If you're consistently leaking after each change, with a fresh O-ring for the change it sounds like a flatness problem. Take a straight edge (steel rule) and check both the cover and the block for flatness. If either is warped enough it can prevent the o-ring making a good seal.

Try using a dab of heavy grease on the o-ring to hold it in the o-ring groove also. Axle grease does a great job of keeping it together until you've started the nuts.

I've changed my oil (1998 model) more times than I remember and never had a leak around that particular o-ring. I have a very small leak around the timing cover, but it's so small it looks more like blow-by on the case than a drip. Been that way for 20,000 miles now. I'm not tearing it apart unless it begins to actually drip.

If it really gets bad (more than a dollar sized drip per sitting) that's enough to oil slick one of your tires, yikes. There is always the option of using a RTV or homemade gasket from a thicker felt + RTV but that's pretty extreme.

One other thing I just thought of might be extremely high oil pressure. I don't know if it's possible to cause seepage, just an idea. It would indicate other more important problems than just a little spot on the deck.

I'm curious what weight oil you're using also. Without starting a flamewar about stupid xyz oil weight/brand/etc.

Well ?

[ben2go]

I used a flat file to flatten out my cover.Then I replaced the O ring and copper crush washers.I also removed the studs and put a little teflon on them.I didn't do this to seal them.I did it to keep them from backing out when I loosen the nuts.The studs have 10 pounds of torque holding them in and the nuts have 18 INCH pounds on them.Evenly torquing every thing helps.Make sure the filter is seating all the way.Also check that the spring is not binding and holding the cover out.

[Dan02GS]

I use white lithium grease with a new O ring each change, also torque those little caps down to 8 ft lbs and not more. Havent leaked yet, I agree with the other posts, but it sounds like you have done everything right already. I too would like to know the weight of oil you are using. Have you had any oil coming from the air box drain tube as well?

[tussey]

5W40 Castrol GTX Anti-sludge


I doubt it's high oil pressure. I'm at the correct level. I'll check the airbox.

[Dan02GS]

The reason I say check the air box is you might get oil in there if you are using a light weight. Out here in CA 10/40 is just right. Anyway, oil changes should be relatively simple, no problems should be encountered when done right, this is a problem we should easily put our collective minds to figure out. I know Fram 6000 filter oil rings might actually be alittle thinner the the OEM, could be this too. I actually thought you might have pinched it when I first read the post. But you said it was not, so must be something else, I also like to use a wire brush on both surfaces to get the grime out. If spring is fine, ring is fine and cap set to torque spec then maybe the surfaces a marred in some way.
Hey you have to be freezing out there. I have family in Midwest city and they dont have any power.

[tussey]

Do not have a torque wrench. Ordered one last week should be here soon so it could be that they're not torqued down correctly.

BTW I use 10W40, not 5W40. That was a typo

[Dan02GS]

Ah better to have them not tight enough then til you get a torque wrench, just to be sure. For now you can hand tighten them, then a 1/4 turn, becareful here. Remember those are easy bolts over torque. Around ten lbs and I am sweating it, I prefer 7-8 but that is just me. Also put alittle white lithium into the grove for the O ring, good grease to have around, you can get it almost anywhere I get mine at Napa cause it is close.