oil on the outside of the engine...

[KevlarPants]

Hiya,
Today I noticed that there is quite a bit of oil on the outside of my engine. Since I've had the bike I've noticed oil on the ground under the bike (after I've had it out). Nothing major, just a small amount and so I didn't think much about it.
Anyway, after a closer look, there is 'wet' oil covering a fair bit of the front of the engine 'block' , and on the right side to a lesser extent.

The bike is an 11 year old kmx 125. It has had a service and mot before I bought it back in feb, and I've only done about 50 k on it since. All in probably no more than a couple of hundred k since its mot & service.

I guess I may have a problem? Could this just be an over fill or do I need to get it looked at asap. I'm guessing the latter.

thanks

[R4nger]

A photo would help much.

[Git]

Not sure what to suggest apart from cleaning the engine with degreaser and warm water so it's all clean and oil residue free, then keep very close eye on where the leak may be coming from, fingers crossed it's just a loose bolt, maybe able to just nip it up yourself, save some cash like

[KevlarPants]

I'll see about getting some pictures this evening, see what people think.

ta muchly.

[stinkwheel]

As it is a 2-stroke, chances are that oil over the front of the engine is coming from a leaky gasket, usually the base gasket in my experience. This is easy to fix by fitting new gaskets, not a particularly big job on a 2-stroke. If this is the case, it is possible it may be making the bike run lean (if oil can get out, air can get in) which could damage the engine.

If it is leaking from the gearbox, just make sure you keep it topped up. You can safely ignore a small leak of gearbox oil as long as you don't let the level drop too far.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

On the front of the engine I would suspect the exhaust gasket. Could also be a seal around the KIPS linkage.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[KevlarPants]

Hmm. Tis all greek to me so far. Looks like the ole haynes manual might get a look in after all.

I think I'll stop by the bike shop on the way home and try and sweet talk them into giving it a looksee. Pick some degreaser while I'm there.

[edwardwoodwar...]

Is the oil leaking on the floor near the side stand.
If it is i would say its the gear selector shaft oil seal
It's very common on bikes, and luckily if it is it's very cheap to do about £6
I drill a 1mm hole in the old seal and pull it out with a self taping screw.
Carefull you don't damage the ally though

Eddy

[Simonbt]

But again its all depending on where the oil is coming from. If it is on the left hand side of the front of the barrel then it will either be leaking from your cam shaft cover or your tacho gasket (this is usually on that side....)

But as was said before, wash the bike with degreaser (gunk is good) and the keep checking for where the oil comes out of.

Also oil under the side stand can mean anything. Mine leaked down there and it was coming from the sump.

[edwardwoodwar...]

Yep go with the degreasing idea and then have a good look.
It would be handy to know what oil it is.
I am pretty sure it isn't a camshaft cover though if it's a kmx125 seeing as it hasn't got a camshaft to cover

Eddy

[KevlarPants]

Someone did ask me today what kind of oil it is. Umm, oily. Hopfully the weather will dry up for the weekend and I'll clean everything up. Then keep an eye on things and try to work out where it is coming from. I've managed to get it booked in to a garage at the end of next week so if all else fails I should find out then whats up.

thanks for all the tips chaps!

[KevlarPants]

Right, got the bike back from the garage and their diagnosis wasn't all that great.

They did say they aren't 2stroke specialists, but in their opinion it could well be a piston or somesuch which would indicate some serious work on the engine, costing a fair bit.

Oh, and the front tyre is marginally bald, the chain and sprocket need replacing and the rear disc is badly worn.

Umm, crap.

Anyway, got one of the outlaws checking it out tomorrow and if it does need work he's going to take it away and get it sorted, which is cool (he owns a garage) .

Apparently the seat cover is ok, which is nice.

[stinkwheel]

If a new barrel and piston for a kmx125 came to more than 60 quid, I would be surprised.

I can't see how any fault with the piston could cause oil to appear on the outside of the bike though.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

I cannot see how a worn piston on a 2 stroke would cause this problem.

Suspect a piston from Kwak is between £40 and £80. If it can be rebored then about £15. If it needs replating then about £90.

A new barrel is probably about £250.

All the best

keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Lone-Wolf]

Wotcha.

Oil on the engine eh ?

Been there, done that
____________________
Cheers.
^..^
L.W. - www.moonshiners.org.uk

[KevlarPants]

Heh, well one of the benefits of 'keeping it in the family' in this case will be getting any work done at cost, or close to. Can't argue with that.

will update the thread when the final diagnosis (and bill) is in.

[stinkwheel]

Ok, didn't realise they were nikosil plated barrels

Full top-end kit which has everything in it including a service exchange on the barrel for a reconditioned one is £190 plus VAT from HERE

I still don't think a problem with that would be causing oil to be on your engine. It will be a leaky gasket somewhere. At the very worst a crankcase oil-seal.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.