Oil tank leak?

[AndrewK]

I was finishing up balancing my throttle bodies when I noticed, what appears to be a slight oil leak from the under the back of the oil tank. Any ideas? Only 1,850

Thanks in advance!

Oil tank 2

• AndrewK
• Sep 3, 2017

Oil tank leak.

• AndrewK
• Sep 3, 2017

 

[Fingers]

Bad o-ring?

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Hard to tell what I'm looking at

EDIT- it was easier to see on my computer. I was looking at it on my phone at first.

 

[AndrewK]

Hard to tell what I'm looking at

Good point. These photos are both from underneath the oil tank, in middle back. If the front of the oil tank is where it's supported (right side of first image and out of focus) then I assume the back is where the oil is actually transferred to the engine. It is the back that has the trail of oil going down towards the front edge of the oil tank.

Tank = Reservoir ? Not oil pan, right?

I'm just knowledgeable enough to get some stuff done but mostly just get myself in trouble.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

There are two pipes that connect to the oil tank and seal using o-rings. Sometimes you can get lucky and loosen the two bolts on top of the oil tank, grab the tank with your hands and wiggle it around some to let it find it's "happy place". Sometimes the o-rings will seal up. If not, they will have to be replaced. Not a terrible job to do, but you have to remove the throttle bodies to completely remove the oil tank, in order to change the o-rings.

 

[AndrewK]

Thank you for the information. I'll see if I can help it find it's happy place tomorrow. If the o-rings need replacing then I think I'll look into having the dealership do that. She's too new to have any kind of leaks (now that she has a fitting oil filter).

 

[scot in exile]

Is it still under warranty? with only 1800 miles I hope so

 

[AndrewK]

Is it still under warranty? with only 1800 miles I hope so

It better be! I'll found out Tuesday.

 

[Tal]

A small amount of electrical grease may have been stuck up in there and when the motor gets hot it turns to an oily substance, usually blackish colour. If its an oil leak it will leak right to the ground as it keeps coming. I had the very same thing on my 2016 for a short time too. I cleaned the area with white spirits and blew it dry with an airgun, took it for a spin and checked. It may take a couple of trys before its all gone.
It gets the anxiety going but I'm guessing that's all it is.

 

[leatal]

My bike did the same thing but cleared up after a few thousand miles. The rear oil tank tube is not a solid tube like the front tube. Instead it is a separate 2" tube with an O-ring on each end which slips into a hole in the case and the tank. This allows the tube to adjust for a better fit. Triumph packs the area between the O-rings with clear grease which is free to run out of the tube holes in the crankcase and oil tank until the excess grease is leaked out. As mentioned above, wipe it down. If it's excess grease, it will cease after a few dozen rides. If an oil leak, obviously will continue leaking and not cease.