Large Oil Leak, advice?

5789 Views 23 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Tal, Nov 3, 2015

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · Sep 14, 2015

Hello, my R3 drained itself completely after my first service. First 600 miles had zero problems. Kept the bike under 7000rpm with a few exceptions temporarily as suggested in the manual.

Timeline:
Got serviced at 580 miles.
Rode it back to my house, ~50 miles.
Rode ~30 miles around town the next couple of days.
Bike sat for 2 weeks.
Rode for 19 miles, oil light came on and bike turned itself off.
Towed bike back to my house.
Oil level through window is empty when bike is centered upright.

Dealer's suggestion: buy moto oil and ride it back to dealership (50 miles).

The bike sits in grass so an oil mark/leak wasn't present.

Suggestions?

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Aufitt

· #2 · Sep 14, 2015

Got any pics of pics of underneath engine drain plug, and oil filter?

Are they installed correctly/?

Has the bike been dropped or on its side at all in this time?

.

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 14, 2015

I am not mechanically savvy, where do you want me to take pictures?

Bike has not been dropped. Very ordinary riding on straight rodes for the most part. Scraped a peg maybe once or twice.

Stirz

· #4 · Sep 14, 2015 (Edited)

Wasn't leaking before service, right? Now leaking after service - OK, what has changed? Agree with Aufitt - check drain plug and filter first. You would see wetness around them if they weren't tightened correctly. Make sure they are tight.

That much loss that fast would surely show some evidence, I'd think. Oil spots under the bike? Or on the inside of the fairings. If the plug/filter were loose, you should see oil on the front of the motor in that location.

If oil pressure got so low that bike went to limp mode and stopped, I'd have some significant concerns, especially if you rode it hard leading up to the issue.

Not a great photo, but this is where I'd be looking first:

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Tal

· #5 · Sep 14, 2015

Aufitt said:
Got any pics of pics of underneath engine drain plug, and oil filter?

Are they installed correctly/?

Has the bike been dropped or on its side at all in this time?

.

Also if the oil had drained onto the grass that would kill it pretty quick.
If the oil leaked out while riding you would soon know when it covered the rear tyre.

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ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 14, 2015

I will investigate tomorrow when I have time.

Thx guys.

Reactions: 1

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 16, 2015

Ok... this is really dumb. This cant be right... right?

I don't know anything about motorcycles but I'm guessing this is the drain plug to release old oil? There is no way this could have been off for the past 2 weeks and then the bike still runs 19 miles is there?

What should I be worried about? If I get the correct bolt and put the right amount of oil in and the bike has no problems am I safe?

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Aufitt

· #8 · Sep 16, 2015

Crikey!
your bike is proper ******..

don't replace the plug or oil, or even touch the bike,

show the servicing dealer or Yamaha dealer this pic.
provided you never laid a spanner on the bike they will cover warranty, or Yamaha in your Country will.

Tell us what they say.

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 16, 2015

They are going to give me a call in a couple of hours. Why is it ******? I want to know what to be worried about so I sound like I know what I'm talking about. Bike is 100% stock.

These modern bikes have self shut-off systems similar to computer processors correct? So assuming the right type/amount of oil is added with a drain plug the bike would be theoretically ok? Or is there a reasonable chance secondary damage took place?

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 16, 2015

Does Yamaha have a support/claim phone number?

Dealer Florida Keys Cycle in Key West, Florida is useless. Didn't want to mention their name but all the owner does is argue with me over the phone.

Capitalview

· #11 · Sep 16, 2015

Yamaha customer support 1 (800) 962-7926

Stirz

· #12 · Sep 16, 2015

A few thoughts: First of all, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING - records of phone conversations, who you talked to (First and Last Names).

The bad news is that there is a good possibility of serious damage to engine bearings, tranny, etc. that resulted from running the engine with little or no oil. Hopefully (although I have some doubts) the dealer will step up and make it right. The good news is Yamaha has a one year warranty - so you have some recourse if problems start popping up later. It may end up being a PITA for you, but don't accept a "just put oil back in and it will be OK" line of BS from the dealer (or - "we aren't responsible, we did the service correctly and it was good when it went out of here") Make a stink**, go straight to Yamaha USA, threaten or file a claim, whatever you need to do if the dealer doesn't step up. You may be perfectly fine, but only you can take the steps needed to take care of yourself if the motor goes south.

** by that I don't mean pitch a fit and be a total jerk, but be firm, professional and don't roll over.

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Reactions: 2

mikiee

· #13 · Sep 16, 2015 (Edited)

The dealer that did the 600 mile service owes you a new bike or at the least a new engine! More than likely, they did not tighten the drain bolt properly and it let oil leak out over time. Eventually it fell off completely. That's why you were able to ride so long. Accept nothing less. Get yamaha involved and if necessary your local better Business Bureau. You had a new bike with many, many great riding miles ahead of it. Now, if you don't get proper restitution on this, you'll have to worry every time you ride it, if it's going to break down.

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 16, 2015 (Edited)

Thanks for the advice. I run my own business and will remain professional. What are your thoughts on getting the bike to the dealer? I don't have a way (or time) to transport the bike to the dealer and back to my house (50 miles). In my business I ship out items (spearguns/freedive equipment) that are upwards of $2000. If there is ever a problem I pay for shipping both ways. How does it work in the motorcycle industry? I currently have a tow bill for $161 from the initial incident.

mikiee

· #15 · Sep 16, 2015

I would put the dealer on the back burner for a moment and get Yamaha corporate involved immediately. Let them advise you on what to do. Just remember, remaining "professional" doesn't mean that you let the dealer wiggle out of this. If it were my new bike, it would now be considered tainted and I would not want it anymore. The engine is 90% of the bike and it's now F*cked!

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 16, 2015

Ok I will start on Yamaha Corp. tomorrow. If you could, what is a summery of possible damage from running on little/no oil?

mikiee

· #17 · Sep 16, 2015

ApneaAndrew said:
Ok I will start on Yamaha Corp. tomorrow. If you could, what is a summery of possible damage from running on little/no oil?

As Stirz stated "there is a good possibility of serious damage to engine bearings, tranny, etc. " Remember, in these street bikes, the same oil lubricates both the engine and transmission, so you have two areas to worry about. If this happened to me, I probably would not enjoy riding it anymore. It would always be at the back of my mind that something could now go wrong with it. I would probably always be listening for odd sounds too.

ApneaAndrew

Discussion Starter · #18 · Sep 17, 2015

Ok I've been talking to Yamaha, and the bike is going to be looked at by a different dealer. I had to get creative and convince them the bike had a "defect"... so I said when you put oil in the bike it runs out the back end. I also had to convince them the dealer who serviced the bike was incompetent so I said when you put oil in the bike it runs out the back end. I will update whenever it gets looked at.

Next question is what should I accept from the new dealer in terms of inspection? I plan on telling them basically the bike ran for up to 100 miles on little / no oil.

t-rav_12

· #19 · Sep 17, 2015

Just be honest with your account of the situation. Otherwise it could come back to bite you. Don't glamorize or embellish the story. Please do keep us posted. I agree with what others said previously, that your drain plug did not get torqued at the time of your oil change. It then probably just took it's time to work itself loose until it fell out completely.

Tal

· #20 · Sep 20, 2015

I wonder how many of us took a spanner to that drain plug after a service after reading this thread,i know i did.Keep us posted on what progress you make Andrew hope it works out ok for you.

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