HELP.......oil leak.........dealer caused??

newbie · June 11, 2009, 09:17:37 PM

Ok so i just bought a 07 gs500, had some carb issues and did not have time to mess with it my self and took her to the dealers. While she was at the dealers (last week) I had them change the oil also (i would normaly do this my self but it was there so...) Anyways that was about 300 miles ago. Today after a ride i noticed that smoke was coming from the bottom of the bike. I looked down and oil was dripping from the front of the bike. I stopped and it looks like oil is leaking from the front oil filter cover. Is this the o-ring not sealing? The bike didi not have this problem before and no oil is on the motor or underside at all b4 to this. Should i take it back to the dealer and make them fix it for free? Seems like there fault right??

gsagent005 · June 11, 2009, 09:41:16 PM

YES!

after my 1st service at the dealer mine was leaking oil as well, they said they pinched the gasket putting it back together, they should replace the seal and top off oil level at no charge to you. if not i'd pitch a fit until they did, then find another trust worthy dealer for future needs.

newbie · June 11, 2009, 09:45:00 PM

I was thinking they should fix it for free! Im some what glad to hear im not the only one this has happened to. I freaking love this site. I could never get this kinda support with my sportster. Thanks!

gsagent005 · June 11, 2009, 09:47:02 PM

no prob... they shouldn't give you any fuss.

laters.

JB848 · June 12, 2009, 10:45:27 AM

Well did you take it back and get it fixed for free or what? Enquiring minds want to know!

newbie · June 12, 2009, 11:07:12 AM

Didn't get a chance to take it in today, dealers open from 9-5 and i work 8-5:30.

I plan on taking her in first thing tomorrow monring when they open. I will let you all know how it goes!! I was supposed to go on a 150 mile poker run tomorrow but i dont know if thats gonna happen now!

JB848 · June 12, 2009, 11:43:10 AM

Nothing for nothing but I don't let others touch my bike. I have only once went to a dealer and that was recently because of necessity. I am not a carb expert like Buddha nor did I have the time.

I just don't trust others to do the quality safe work that I know I do.

I guess you and the other gentleman with the same issue confirmed my suspicions!

"Never send a boy to do a man's job." (Alfred J. Talley)

lamahug · June 12, 2009, 12:57:37 PM

I just got my 'new' 2004 GS500 (yellow) and tried to change the oil and filter. I went to the local dealer and bought the oil filter and o-seal. I then looked at this site's instructions on how to change it (great) and got everything ready. Tools, oil, rags, oil pan, cardboard, all right!. So, all proceeded fine...I got the old filter out, put the new one in, new gasket inserted in the cover groove (save the old one), put the cover back on, tightened everything down, filled her up with new oil, and started up the bike. Disaster! Oil came pouring out of the engine's bottom right on to the exhaust pipes.

It turns out that the o-seal had slipped out of the cover groove while I was putting the cover back on and got cut when I tightened down the cover. I took the oil cover back off, removed all of the gasket pieces from the groove and put in the old o-seal, paying close attention when putting on the cover. Once again, started up the bike, YEAH, NO LEAKS.

So, I think that it is really easy to cut that o-seal while putting the cover back on. Your dealer should have known right away if there was a problem with that oil change. He should have checked his work before you got your bike back. Tell him that you are not happy, and if he wants your business he should fix it for free.

JB848 · June 12, 2009, 01:22:44 PM

I don't know if it is appropriate or if there is one here all ready but it sure would be nice to have a "Dealership" rating thread

1. Rate purchasing
2. Rate Insurance offered (Most are Agents)
3. And last but not least the most important for most is rate "Service"

I personally have had a bad experience with the insurance with a dealership. I had my bike serviced and renewed my insurance online with the same company as the dealership. I needed proof of insurance to pickup and ride my bike home but the Insurance company would only fax a copy to a certified insurance agent which the dealership was. I asked the dealership to call the Insurance company and request a copy faxed as only they could and the lady there asked me " Why should I help you? Why should I do that?" real nasty like! I was like you flippen biatch! I just dropped major bones here to have my bike serviced and you have the audacity to say that to me?

Anyway all said and done I finally got the insurance fax and my bike and left there for the last time. I will never do business with that shop again even in an emergency! EVER!
The problem with bike shops is they are usually far and few in between and get a lot of business and lose touch with who put them there in the first place. In my case there is another about 20 miles further away and if they give me any dissatisfaction at all I will do all of my business online!

Dealers beware! We are your business!

scottpA_GS · June 12, 2009, 01:37:25 PM

If you put 300 Miles on it after leaving the dealer its your problem not theirs. If they damaged it installing it it would leak when you left not 300 miles later. I would try to get them to replace it but its not likely after you put that many miles on it. I work at a dealership and we see alot of people trying to scam us by claiming problems long after our service dept worked on their bike (not saying thats what you are doing) Just saying if its been a while seince you had it in there I dont see them taking the blame.

tripleb · June 12, 2009, 01:42:49 PM

Scott's probably right. I'm sure they'll either ask or check their records to see how long it's been since you where in. you're better off just changing the oil yourself. that way you'll learn how to do it and be confident it's done correctly.

newbie · June 12, 2009, 02:12:45 PM

I picked the bike up last Friday from the dealers and rode about 300 miles myself before the leak started..........

I usually do the work my self on my bikes a oil change is no prob. im working like 80 hours a week so its hard to find the time to do anything besides ride to work and back..........

I just spoke to the dealer over the phone and they said they probably left the old o-ring in or something and if i come in tomorrow they would be glad to fix it if it is the o-ring for free.

I don't think it could be any other thing since the oil is leaking from the bottom of the oil filter cover? Ive never had this problem with my cb750 and the Harley does not have a filter. Why it didn't leak right away boggles my mind though......

gsagent005 · June 12, 2009, 07:40:38 PM

seal could have been pinched but not cut yet, the vibration of the engine during your 300 miles of riding would have been enough to finish it off. it took mine a week to leak after the dealer serviced the bike. i also work at a car dealership and in this case we would take the vehicle in, look it over for outside influence, and go from there, IF it was our fault, we would correct the issue, customer satisfaction is a very high priority. its what keeps them coming back when there are other choices out there for service.

also, in my case before i even bought it new from the dealer i planned on selling it when i was ready to move up and could afford it, so i do take mine to the dealer so that i have a paper trail for resale value and for the extended warranty should anything happen where that's concerned. there will be NO DOUBTS for Suzuki as to the maintenance of the bike. maybe i'm just being crazy

but working in the car dealership has taught me a thing or two.

ohgood · June 13, 2009, 12:51:07 AM

Quote from: scottpA_GS on June 12, 2009, 01:37:25 PM

If you put 300 Miles on it after leaving the dealer its your problem not theirs. If they damaged it installing it it would leak when you left not 300 miles later. I would try to get them to replace it but its not likely after you put that many miles on it. I work at a dealership and we see alot of people trying to scam us by claiming problems long after our service dept worked on their bike (not saying thats what you are doing) Just saying if its been a while seince you had it in there I dont see them taking the blame.

unless the wrenchin boy stripped a stud. hey, we all know how easy it is on gs's.

as far as pinched gaskets, a little (i mean very little!) rtv in the groove to keep it in place should be required reading for a moto-mechanic. or common knowledge or something.

if i ran the dealer shop, i'd fix it for free (of course) find out -why- it happened, and smile as the happy customer bought a new set of gloves/boots on his way out. not to mention when his buddies came buy (mispelled on purpose) and bought again.

- ps i did around $1100 in freebies friday. we call it 'shop' work, as it benefits the shop in the long run. nothing like a freebie bolt extraction that nets a $12,000 job from the same company later on. gotta-have-it-now work pays and pays !

scottpA_GS · June 13, 2009, 07:36:22 AM

Thats awesome that they are checking it out for you free! You have a stand up dealer there

newbie · June 13, 2009, 09:32:49 PM

Ok so went to the dealer today and they tried to screw me...............

They repaired the o-ring but got the choke cable all jacked up so the bike was running like crap as soon as i left. I drove a block and turned around. Went in to the service department and complained. They said sorry and fixed the problem. Its a 07 and they tried telling me i should trade it in for a new bike. Drove out and two blocks down the road i to stopped to check the oil (thank god). after stopping and waiting a few mintues pulled the dipstick and THEY DID NOT PUT OIL BACK IN THE GS AFTER THEY TOOK OUT THE OIL FILTER!!!!!!! The thing was almost totaly dry. Thankfully i had a full quart of oil under the seat. The full quart didnt even fill it up!!!!!! Im pretty sure they are really dumb or tried to screw me by running my motor out of oil!!!!!! I even asked them before i left if they topped it off!!!!! I think they tried to blow my motor so i would buy a new bike!! NEVER USE STRUTHERS BROTHERS in Desmoines IA!!!! Website www.struthersbros.com Im not sure what to do yet but im thinking reporting them to the better business bearu or disputing the charges on my card or somthing for the work they did do. Im really pissed off about the entire deal........... i felt dumb even taking my bike some place and this just reassured my original feeling.........never agian..........no matter if im working 80 hours a week i will some how find time. Thanks for your support and sorry for going off. But please please if you know anyone in the desmoines iowa area tell them to stay away from those bastards at Struthers Brothers

Toogoofy317 · June 13, 2009, 10:16:21 PM

Wow, I'm so sorry that has happened to you. I trust my dealer because I also ride with alot of their service guys in the CMA's Fast Lane chapter. They have helped me many times with little things for free. Like readjusting my idle or adjusting levers and such. I did buy the bike from them so I don't know if that made a difference or the fact that I also bought the full maintainance and warranty package as well. So, they are pretty much responsible for everything for the next well three years now. When I do buy something they show me the catalogue and charge me what is printed there no extra charges! They are Central Florida Power Sports. It was my best friend who referred me there after getting his Honda there. They gave him and me a $50 gift card for the referral. How cool is that.

I also live right in front of the Kawi dealership and they treat me very well even though I ride a Suzuki. There name is Kissimmee Power Sports. They are very nice and kind. I did buy a tank bag there that turned out to be the best thing since sliced bread to me. Just today the screw from my Frank Thomas riding boots popped out. Before, I went in to work I walked into KPS and the guy took my boot apart went back in the back to find the perfect screw! When I went to pay for said screw he said "don't worry about it!" we like to help out our Suzukis! I hadn't even bought the boots there!

Then about 4 miles away is the motorcycle clinic which is an all type of bike kinda shop. Really, they are where I get my aftermarket stuff. Like grips, and levers. They are knowledgable and take great pride in there customer service!

Guess, I'm just lucky to have three awesome places withing five miles of my house!

Mary

Suzuki Stevo · June 13, 2009, 10:38:49 PM

I always use wheel bearing grease in the slot to hold the O-Ring in place for assembly

commuterdude · June 14, 2009, 07:28:05 AM

well i certainly hope they did not leave oil out of your bike on purpose! On a bike that is just about as good as premeditated murder! I would find out who the technician was and have a meeting with him and his boss so everybody knows what the deal is. Even if nothing is done it needs to be said.

newbie · June 14, 2009, 11:56:47 AM

Went back to the dealer........the tech that did the work name is Tim, He claims he filled the bike up to the half way mark, WHAT??? Why would you fill it up to only the half way mark???..........So then the service manager told me i should have rode back to show them the bike was out of oil....What??? Are you kidding me??? Basically i was told i probbaly rode the bike hard and it used up all the oil.......WHAT?

So there is basically nothing i can do as far as dealing with them. I guess i learned never to go there

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HELP.......oil leak.........dealer caused??