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2013 oil leak

7445 Views 27 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Genomj
Okay...

i have an oil drip thats getting worse. I purchased the bike used with about 4k miles and it has about 9k on it now. I originally thought that maybe it was the drain plug and the guy over tightened or under tightened it. I ordered an aftermarket replacement, cleaned the oil residue off and changed the oil and it did not fix the problem. I am having trouble figuring out where its coming from. I have cleaned the whole area multiple times and itll be fine. If the engine never warms up it wont leak, however if i take the bike out and ride for any length of time then park it over night or longer I will find a spot on the ground and then there will be oil everywhere again.

uploading a few pics.... any thoughts? suggestions? anything? doesnt actually seem to be a pan leak as far as i can tell.

thank guys!




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Based on the pictures it appears to be above the filter and drain plug. I would suggest cleaning it all up with brake clean, then going for a quick ride then park it and stare at her for a god 10-15. Maybe the oil pan seal? any idea if someone did a valve check? Maybe the re-used the gasket and it didn't seal well?
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Could be the porous crankcase casting problem that was the subject of a warranty recall?

Don't know if Kawasaki are still honouring this.
Could be the porous crankcase casting problem that was the subject of a warranty recall?

Don't know if Kawasaki are still honouring this.
No, that was the machined area up on the right side where the starter motor is bolted on. It's a windage area when the engine is turning. And the oil would pool below the starter motor on top of the block. I wouldn't even look at that area based on the pics.

It looks from the last pic like it's leaking above everything like Duhastme said. It's running down the side of the oil pan and dripping from the lowest point. I'd suspect it's a bad water/oil pump seal. Or transmission input shaft seal. I highly doubt the oil pan seal is bad, but could be. Or you could have a crack in the oil pan. Does it only leak after the motor is turned off? Or does it constantly leak over time just sitting?

Pull both lower fairings off. Clean the area up and around the water pump really good with some brake cleaner. Then let it sit for a few days and run your finger along those areas. Make sure it's on the sidestand and not straight up and down. This will help any oil drain to the left easier. I'd also get a small wrench on the oil pan bolts and just be sure they're snugged up good and not loose.
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No, that was the machined area up on the right side where the starter motor is bolted on. It's a windage area when the engine is turning. And the oil would pool below the starter motor on top of the block. I wouldn't even look at that area based on the pics.

It looks from the last pic like it's leaking above everything like Duhastme said. It's running down the side of the oil pan and dripping from the lowest point. I'd suspect it's a bad water/oil pump seal. Or transmission input shaft seal. I highly doubt the oil pan seal is bad, but could be. Or you could have a crack in the oil pan. Does it only leak after the motor is turned off? Or does it constantly leak over time just sitting?

Pull both lower fairings off. Clean the area up and around the water pump really good with some brake cleaner. Then let it sit for a few days and run your finger along those areas. Make sure it's on the sidestand and not straight up and down. This will help any oil drain to the left easier. I'd also get a small wrench on the oil pan bolts and just be sure they're snugged up good and not loose.
If i clean it up and let ot sit it didnt seem to leak, had to be ran up to temp and rode. Didnt seem to leak while it was running and parked even at temp. But its a slow leak thats getting a little worse with time so im not 100% sure.

I snugged the pan bolts of already.

Valves havent been checked ye... wouldnt have been a reason for the original owner to have done that.

As soon as it warms up some ill get started on that.
The oil plug must have a washer. you changed the oil and lost that washer.
The oil plug must have a washer. you changed the oil and lost that washer.
Dude, seriously. Go away.

Edit: not sure why you bother me so much. Nevermind the fact that you can see the damn washer in the photo... do you troll because you enjoy it or do you just give bad advice and answers to random people because you genuinely dont know any better?
I'm getting ready to do some troubleshooting on mine for pretty much the same. If it sits cold, I'll get maybe one drop every other week. If it's after a ride, I'll have about two drops. Unfortunately I'm thinking I may have a small crack in the oil pan. My start path was going to be exactly what Sky suggested. Hopefully I'll get time this weekend to get some work done.


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I ordered an oil pump seal/gasket just to be safe. Worst case, ill have an extra. Its way too cold here to mess woth it currently :(
juts take plastics off, start the bike for 15 min, clean with brake cleaner, and see where it comes from.
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Dude, seriously. Go away.

Edit: not sure why you bother me so much. Nevermind the fact that you can see the damn washer in the photo... do you troll because you enjoy it or do you just give bad advice and answers to random people because you genuinely dont know any better?
Didn't mean anything. Just look at obvious first. I judge you by what you said and your pictures. Then offered a suggestion. No reason to over react. I have the '11 and the '13 both with a ton of miles
(35,000 to 50k per year all twist loop but since moved into 10r '12 only 35k or so...I'm not lying. I've met one mod here in person who documented the mileage and posted) and love to talk about supers as have had many.

All good and request a touch more toleration on this site.
There was a issue with the Gen4 casing gasket, its happened to someone i know, at the rear of the casing in front of the rear shock. It needed to be ridden hard for crankcase pressure to force it out at first then progressively got worse. It blows around all over the surfaces then drips off the lowest point when stood and cooling.
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Didn't mean anything. Just look at obvious first. I judge you by what you said and your pictures. Then offered a suggestion. No reason to over react. I have the '11 and the '13 both with a ton of miles
(35,000 to 50k per year all twist loop but since moved into 10r '12 only 35k or so...I'm not lying. I've met one mod here in person who documented the mileage and posted) and love to talk about supers as have had many.

All good and request a touch more toleration on this site.
I didn't want to jump in here but I had to. Putting miles on a bike doesn't mean you know a damn thing, other than maybe how to ride the bike. I know truck drivers with over a million miles and they don't know the first thing about their trucks other than how to put fluids in them and drive them. Now tell me that you've been wrenching on motorcycles for a period of time and it might somewhat back your claim that you know all. Riding a twisty loop doesn't mean that you know shit. I don't believe you were basing your suggestion off his statements or the pictures he posted because you should be able to clearly see that there's a crush washer under that plug.
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What's up with all the arguing on here? Everywhere you go, everyone is trying to compete, act like they are in-charge, like they know best. Last place we need it is here, right? OP asked for suggestions, anyone can chime in. I think any suggestion is relevant, no matter how simple. If no one responded to the op, would he be better off?
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There was a issue with the Gen4 casing gasket, its happened to someone i know, at the rear of the casing in front of the rear shock. It needed to be ridden hard for crankcase pressure to force it out at first then progressively got worse. It blows around all over the surfaces then drips off the lowest point when stood and cooling.

Not sure if thats whats going on here but will look into it. Thanks buddy.
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I didn't want to jump in here but I had to. Putting miles on a bike doesn't mean you know a damn thing, other than maybe how to ride the bike. I know truck drivers with over a million miles and they don't know the first thing about their trucks other than how to put fluids in them and drive them. Now tell me that you've been wrenching on motorcycles for a period of time and it might somewhat back your claim that you know all. Riding a twisty loop doesn't mean that you know shit. I don't believe you were basing your suggestion off his statements or the pictures he posted because you should be able to clearly see that there's a crush washer under that plug.
Ive called him out before, this was the first time hes responded. Had i specifically mentioned that i knew 110% that it wasnt a plug/washer issue he likely would have replied in a similar way. Search his posts.

What's up with all the arguing on here? Everywhere you go, everyone is trying to compete, act like they are in-charge, like they know best. Last place we need it is here, right? OP asked for suggestions, anyone can chime in. I think any suggestion is relevant, no matter how simple. If no one responded to the op, would he be better off?
Nobody is arguing really. My reply to him has nothing to do with arguing but rather the fact that he tends to respond to peoples posts and questions in a way that spreads bad info and advice. Its been going on so long that people wont even call him out on it anymore. Ask about ecu flashing and he responds with saying its a waste of money, doesnt do or change anything because there are no restrictions on the us bikes and that you need to learn to ride the bike..
Didn't mean anything. Just look at obvious first. I judge you by what you said and your pictures. Then offered a suggestion. No reason to over react. I have the '11 and the '13 both with a ton of miles
(35,000 to 50k per year all twist loop but since moved into 10r '12 only 35k or so...I'm not lying. I've met one mod here in person who documented the mileage and posted) and love to talk about supers as have had many.

All good and request a touch more toleration on this site.

I wrote out multiple replies... all of which weren't pretty.

Tolerance? Im fairly certain many people here give you that on a daily basis.
Tolerance? Im fairly certain many people here give you that on a daily basis.
Relax Victors. Scout is one of the best members in this forum.
Relax Victors. Scout is one of the best members in this forum.
^^facts
Not sure if thats whats going on here but will look into it. Thanks buddy.[/QUO
TE]
im sure you'll be able to see clearly any track marks round the back there Kawasaki did them on warranty.
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