Oil leak

[Framer]

Well it seems I have a oil leak. I noticed a spot on my garage floor about a month ago but wasn’t sure it was from my bike. About two week ago I put around 150 miles on her and have been watching for oil ever since. For the first week after the ride all looked good but then Christmas Day the the temps were down in the 20’s and the next day I noticed oil again. I looks like it’s coming from the stator wires but I’m not 100% sure. The spot on the floor continues to grow.

I checked our search engine and came across a couple of threads but they were incomplete.

Any thoughts. 1700 Voyager

The pic is shadowed but you can still see the oil.


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[mike07nad]

Hmmmm.... I find it odd that there was enough of it to form a trail like that. I would have though that at this temp the oil would not be so fluid and the floor would have that much of a slope to create that oil trail.

Now I have seen marks like that when someone put used oil under a Harley just to mess with them.

[mike07nad]

In looking closer to your picture - it's kinda in the area of the oil filter. Wonder if if maybe that didn't seal good when installed and with the temp change it causes a leak. With the bike sitting leaned toward the left it would follow the engine toward the center of the bile - just thinking out loud.

[ErikB]

Yeah thats what I was thinking too. I hate to ask a very dumb question, but you did grab the oil filter and give it a good crank, right? I have had a few come loose over time...

[Framer]

No I haven’t but I will. I find it strange that it didn’t leak for a week and now with low temps it’s leaking. Tuesday when I noticed it the spot was only about 3” and now 4 days later.... well you can see.

[Framer]

It’s not the oil filter. Whatever it is it’s leaking on the frame and then to the floor. I’m going to clean it off and put it in my shop.

[redjay]

Are you sure its not the rear shock leaking ?

[Framer]

Originally Posted by redjay

Are you sure its not the rear shock leaking ?

Your kidding right

[redjay]

Originally Posted by Framer

Your kidding right

The rear shock on the 1700's are prone to leaks, especially the drive side shock. Mine was replaced under warranty. I only noticed it because it was leaking on the floor.

[Framer]

Originally Posted by redjay

The rear shock on the 1700's are prone to leaks, especially the drive side shock. Mine was replaced under warranty. I only noticed it because it was leaking on the floor.

I wish it was that simple, unfortunately it appears a gasket or seal has failed.

[mike07nad]

Originally Posted by redjay

The rear shock on the 1700's are prone to leaks, especially the drive side shock. Mine was replaced under warranty. I only noticed it because it was leaking on the floor.

Hey I had a Drive Side shock leaking Oil & Replaced under warranty. Twas a Twitchy things to ride, exspecially making a left hand turn out onto the highway. Almost felt like it was gonna kick out from under me.

[Framer]

This is a pic of the wires going to the stator. It’s the only place where there’s oil on the bottom of the motor


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[OldSchool]

I'm only a shade tree mechanic for sure, nothing pro about me but bits and pieces do get stuck in my head from time to time. Doesn't the stator run in an oil bath to help keep it cool ?. It sounds like it may be the seal to the stator cover. As the temperature drops the metal contracts allowing the seal to leak. Like I said, it's a guess.

[Framer]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

I'm only a shade tree mechanic for sure, nothing pro about me but bits and pieces do get stuck in my head from time to time. Doesn't the stator run in an oil bath to help keep it cool ?. It sounds like it may be the seal to the stator cover. As the temperature drops the metal contracts allowing the seal to leak. Like I said, it's a guess.

That’s kinda what I’m thinking. My CD (shop manual) shows where the wires come through and states to put sealant on. Obviously there must be oil in there somewhere since the dipstick comes through that part of the casting.
So I may buy a stator/alternator cover and start taking her apart.

[gv550]

Originally Posted by Framer

So I may buy a stator/alternator cover and start taking her apart.

No need to buy a new alternator cover, unless you can see a crack in it (very unlikely).
Drain the oil and fuel, roll out some old carpet and lay the bike over onto its right side. With a small screwdriver or awl pry the rubber grommet away from the case, spray solvent in there and force new sealant into the gap, work your away along until the grommet has new sealant all around. Use sealant that is compatible with oil such as Hylomar, not silicon.