OIL leaking from starter????

I've just found the strangest oil leak on my 2006 R3.

I have oil leaking from both vent tubes on the starter. When I squeezed the "nipples" quite a bit of oil came out (dozen drops). It looks to me that there's a MAJOR underlying problem. Perhaps the MAIN seal if there's one on this bike.

Also I noticed that it was wet so I pulled the driveshaft boot and there was quite a bit of oil in there too.

My oil doesn't seem to go down. . .

Now this is happening 2 1/2 weeks before I'm supposed to leave for Tahoe and 2 weeks before my warranty is over.

Any comments welcome!

**** Rook but get it to the dealer and don't be concerned about any comments from this forum. Please let us know WTF...

After wiping everything dry I went for a 10 minute ride and sure thing these two vent tubes were filled with oil again. It's just a little more green in color than the motor oil, I assume by getting thru the starter which can't be that good for it either.

Got an appointment for the 9th. That 48hours before I'm supposed to leave for Lake Tahoe. I guess the plans are scrapped.....

Jeez people, no idea as to what it might be?

Don't scrap your plans until you see what the story is!!!

Mike....

escapingoth said:

CaptainCaeruleus said:

Don't scrap your plans until you see what the story is!!!

Mike....

Click to expand...

Ive offered him the use of my 50cc scooter. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Click to expand...

I'd rather use my pedal bike! :lol:

Were all waiting for the diagnosis? Any ideas yet?

I just brought it in this morning. They will try to take a look at it if they have time or if someone cancels their appointment. Then on the 9th when I'm booked they could actually fix it. No guarantees from them but at least if they need parts they MIGHT get here on time for Tahoe.

Now leak #1; driveshaft I figured that it was actually the grease they put on the splines that "liquefied" or separated. After looking closer 1st it is dark green in color and the shaft itself is bone dry. Besides the oil that came out originally nothing else leaked from there. SO problem fixed.

Leak from the starter breather hose is getting worse, it now leaks in the garage without running the engine, I figure it's the main seal ($5.14 part) from the engine leaking in the alternator case then to the starter unit and vent tube.

As far as I can see, they can take the starter, alternator cover and alternator out without removing anything but the exhaust/manifold. The real question is do they need to split the engine in two in order to change that seal...... I got the feeling they must... I guess I'll know in the next few weeks.

No matter what happens we're going to CA, so I guess on the 11th I'll know if I ride a bike or drive my car there....

On another note, I took an extended warranty and BTW that starter if it ever fails is $700US! Not cheap!

I'll keep you posted

Got it back! WOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was just the starter. Apparently the seal is in the starter and is not serviceable.
I can't really visualize it and certainly don't understand it but somehow some oil is in contact with the starter by design.

Glad they fixed it!