Why my brandnew motorcycle's engine leaks? | How I solved the issue naturally without doing any fancy repairs?!.
One of the issues motorcycle riders encounter with their beloved brand new motorcycles is when they see smudges of oil leaks just around the engine. It breaks their hearts.
Others got even discouraged especially when they see oil spills under the engine, those are the worse cases.
I have the same drama with this kind of issue. I almost going to return my motorcycle to the showroom where I purchased it, I said that in my mind.
But I am the type of person who prolong a certain issue to find the answer (only if the issue is mild) . I am very patient. I search and ask people to know what is the cause and what's the best thing to do to fix it. I ask too many people, I later realize that too much ideas made it even more confusing. Most ideas are irrelevant to the right answers I was looking for.
Right on Facebook group page. I learned others had their units fixed and eventually broken. I pity them. Most of all the greenies or the newbies. Doesn't know what to do.
Nevertheless we share the same sentiment. I am not a master of this also. Engine knowledge is not perfectly installed in my brain. But I am willing to learn.
In June 2019 I purchased a bike...
To be transparent. It is the KEEWAY Cafe Racer 152. Commonly been admired by many because of its classic beauty and negatively judged also by some because it is made in China. But distributed by Taiwan Company SYM. The reality is... It is a HUNGARIAN Brand in partnership with Benelli. I want you to search all the truth about that on the internet. Thank you...
Let's go back!
Engine Leaks starting to show
During the break-in period I saw oil leaks, though it was only there from time to time. Here and there or at one side of the engine and the other. It occurs to different parts of the engine everyday. So, I was starting to get disturbed. For long years haven't got a bike in a decade, I forgot what it was like to understand motorcycle engine status just by looking at it. Probably the first bike I have in the last 10 years has the same problem. But I didn't gave much attention, I just start and run the engine at that time.
But today, it shocked my whole soul watching the engine with oil leaks.
My mind is different now. So, I start searching for an answer.
The first step I did was, I went to the shop where I bought it and had a change oil service, the bike's odo is at 1500 plus as it reads. Just the right time for the 2nd oil change under break-in period. Every 500km for the first 1,500.
So, while the mechanic performs the oil change procedure. I throw him a quick question while he is kneeling close to the engine. I asked politely: "boss, what can you say with these oil leaks on the engine corners?". Without hesitation he replied. "Those are Natural". Just run your engine normally and soon those oil leaks will be gone.
I was surprised with his quick answer. He must be saying the truth for not thinking twice. I was silent and closed my lips and never utter anything again. It made me think deeply...
After the service. I drove back home. Got paranoid a little bit, I watch other brand new motorcycles on the road to see if their bikes have some oil leaks too. I was eyeing the popular brand engines during stop lights and every crossings. I even stopped by at a motorcycle shop along the way to see other bikes' engine closer.
It was a relief. I saw many popular brands with leaks too. Some are pretty bad and others just little smudges just like mine. I arrive home very happy. And continued to be patient to finish the proper break in period.
I followed the proper oil change odo gaps during the break-in period printed on the user's manual. Most importantly, I do the soft breaking in process.
After reaching 3000km. I made a change oil myself. It was easy I have done that many times with my previous bike.
The time was right, exactly the time when a client of mine called up for a printer service check up and repair(my printer service provider job) . Their office was about 50km away from my place. And the road that leads to their office is the Cebu Trans-central Highway. If you know the road condition in TCH then you knew exactly what I mean. For me it is Perfect in finishing my 3000km break-in period.
So I drove my bike to the client's office back and forth for a total of 100km running to slope and steep road conditions. A lot of that at trans-central high way (TCH). The ride was so enjoyable.
Now Do you like to know what happen?
Okay I thought my bike's engine's going to blow up and tore to pieces but, it was a surprise... I arrive home safe and sound. I hugged my bike after turning it off. Thanking him and my maker for bringing me home complete and handsome.
The next day, my motorcycle run smoothly, silent and colder. My wife even notice the change. She said: it is more powerful now isn't it?, quicker, responsive and quieter.
After a week. Believe me or not. After I washed it clean. Smudges of oil leaks are gone. I find that the mechanic was right. The magical thing about it is that until now my bike is running at 17,000 plus km odo and No leaks at all. The engine is very clean. The engine temperature is cooler too.
Now, if you like to know how the leaks are gone. I know you would say it is because of the break-in process I have. Well, you are right but... There is much more to it than the breaking in alone. A lot deeper reason why leaks were gone after proper breaking in.
This is the magical reason...
Don't be surprise if I told you that oil seals, rubber seals, O-rings and gaskets must go through a breaking in period also. So with the tires.
Allow me to explain according to my perspective and personal experience.
Let us talk about rubbers first. What is their nature and how they react to weather and temperature. They shrink and expand.
Rubbers have a life span too. They react to weather conditions. And if you are not aware, they last longer if they are used regularly. Not harshly at its first use, got to use it with tenderness.
Rubber bands, rubber shoes and sleepers are good examples. If we leave them sleep at a shoe rack for a while soon cracks starts to occur and glued joint parts will separate eventually. Stacking it on a corner and inside cabinets may absorbed moist cause by room humidity. But if you use them everyday and exposed to natural air and movement they would still be intact. They last longer. Magical right?!
The same goes with gaskets and oil seals. Even the metal parts of the engine. Gaskets and oil seals react to the engines' heat, it shrinks and expands most of the time. Soon by doing the proper engine breaking in. They eventually go oversized a bit to a reasonable form that both the rubber seals, gaskets and the engine would fit perfectly together. You may never see it with your naked eye but they go oversized in time.
My bikes' engine got pass the trials. But with others are unlucky they have the worst cases. They have oil seal and gasket change services. They bought new gaskets and oil seals for their brandnew bikes. Imagine that.
While some suggested to tighten the bolts, as they suspected an improper engine assymbly from the manufacturer. Tightening bolts got this issue fixed but not all. Some got worsen.
That is why I am a bit skeptical to follow the advice.
When I tried tightening the bolts I couldn't even turn an mm, a cm or even a fraction of an inch.
I remember that these bikes were tightened perfectly at the factory using a torque wrench, the safest way to tighten engine bolts. But I haven't got one so I didn't follow the advice.
To some who would like to tighten their brandnew motorcycle's engine bolts, I strongly suggest to use a torque wrench and follow user's manual guide. Tightening bolt pound measurement is given there. Just to be safe so you won't break any bolts and threads.
Still best to bring your bike to qualified mechanics where you bought it. They know better.
To sum everything up how the leaks of my brandnew bike was fixed. The following is what I did...
1. I simply do the soft break-in..
2. Periodical oil change as per manual. (oil volume is only liter). Too much and too less is bad for the engine.
3. Never do a hard rev while on standby. Especially during cold starts
4. Never run the engine on a standby for too long. 2 minute pre heat is enough for tropical countries.
5. Ask qualified mechanics.
6. Search on the web and ask group pages on social media and ask experienced friends. But take a deep thinking and meet everything half way. Don't just follow any advice right away. It might cause you troubles.
In the end rubber seals and gaskets life span still has an end but by doing what I was doing it can live longer than expected, saves you a lot of time and pesos. More importantly you can ride your bike worry free with confidence and pride.
I think I have said everything what I needed to say.
So, here's the links of my facebook page and MR. Moonrider YTso you can have a glimpse of my engine without oil leaks. Enjoy!
Have a great day everyone.
Love lots!
-Mr. Moonrider
See pictures for proof
And Youtube Channel
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