Possibly dried gear oil around the drain plug.

[Mscmkr]

Hey everyone, I have been noticing when I put my scoot back in the garage after I ride that it has a burned smell to it. I noticed Sunday night after I rode that there's a decent amount of what could be dried gear oil around where the drain plug is to drain the gear oil. I'm just wondering if this is normal or do I have some kind of a leak here? I did tighten the drain plug and it was a little loose but I wouldn't think that would cause what I'm seeing.
    Any info here would be great. I'm going to bring it into the dealer to have both the gear oil and engine oil changed this weekend, but I would like to know from everyone here if I have an issue or not.
Thanks and ride safe, mscmkr

[Stig / Major Tom]

Can we get a photo?
No, leaks in that area aren't common. Please post your findings, after you visit the dealer.
I don't think the gear oil is under a great deal of pressure -overfilling apparently takes the oil somewhere else, it does not seem to lead to blown seals in the gear area.
Overfilled?
Leaking drain plug?
Over-tightened plug?
Engine oil from a forward leak blowing back to that area?

Stig

[wordslinger]

.."burned smell" could be exhaust...

..how often do you ride your scoot?

..and, as stig said, any fluid leaks are not normal...

..does the final drive feel HOT after a ride?

[Mscmkr]

This is a pic of the dried oil.

[wordslinger]

..dunno if that is burned, or accumulated dirt??

[wordslinger]

..is it still, oily feeling?

[wordslinger]

..I see the residue on your wheel as well..

..if you say that fastener was loose, then I would suspect that you have lost a bit of gear oil...

...definitely need to check it!!


               

.does the final drive feel HOT after a ride?

[Mscmkr]

It is a little oily feeling but pretty dry. And there's a great deal of it. The only way I can get it to the dealer is ride it so I'm a little afraid of doing that.
    Thanks for the info and keep it coming. I will give an update after I get it checked.

     Ride safe everyone, mscmkr

[cochi]

Mscmkr, I had the same problem with my Like. I would get oil oozing around my filler plug after taking a long ride. It looked exactly like what your getting. Upon close inspection I discovered that there was no sealing washer behind the filler plug. I don't know whether they come from the factory without them, or they forgot to put one on mine. I ended up going to Pep Boys and I picked up a copper washer used to seal discbrake lines as they connect to the caliper. I placed it behind the filler plug and it stopped the leak. My drain plug so far hasn't leaked. I haven't removed it yet so I don't know if there is a washer  behind it. I'll find out at 3000 miles when I change my gear oil. Good luck. cochi

[wordslinger]

..wow, yeah some of those plugs have a washer, and some depend on the machined surfaces...

..the copper, or even a brass washer is a good fix!!


         

[Mscmkr]

Well we may have a winner. I backed the bolt out almost all the way and did not see any kind of washer. Also, when I checked to see if it was snug it felt a bit loose and easy to turn. I'm thinking this could be the culprit. I'm going to give it a good bath and add a washer and see if it keeps doing this. Cross your fingers.

Thanks everyone and ride safe, mscmkr

[TroutBum]

Mine has never had a washer. If you need one go to a motorcycle shop and get a crush washer. If it were me I drain the gear oil into a measuring cup. Compare the amount drained to the amount to replace in your owners manual. Also, check the color. Should be a lite honey hue and not dark. Also smell the oil. Should not have a burnt smell. If all checks out replace with fresh gear oil as specified in your owners manual. Be sure to wipe down the case to spot for leaks. My owners manual is not available at the moment or I'd give you specs. Whatever you do don't overfill. It will push-up into the breather tube and into the air box.

[MaryK]

I would probably use a rubber O-ring instead of a metal or felt washer.
Remove the fill plug and take it to an auto parts store to fit the O-ring.
O-Rings will seal with a lot less force required than a metal seal.

scoot safely,

[Stig / Major Tom]

The service manual shows a washer on the drain plug - none on the fill plug.
I have been using copper washers from my VW days on both.
It is very hard to find a genuine "crush washer" these days (I've seen them listed for Subarus) ...."Crush Washer"= a washer that required only moderate tightening because it 'crushed' to form a nice seal. VW beetles used these on the oil drain plugs - a copper skin wrapped a fibre center that crushed when gently tightened.
The deal is - they seal perfectly without needing to risk overtightening a drain plug into a soft alloy case! And, no they could not really be used a second time.
No longer able to find these so,- softer metals, like brass or copper can work - or the washers with a rubber backing that are compatable with heat and petroleum products. (Good luck finding these!) Or a rubber washer that's up to the heat and oil.
181 ml is the amount of 80W90 gear oil to put in, once you drain.
This is just a hair more than 6oz....... which is 3/4 of a cup (buy your wife a new one after you put gear oil in her measuring cup)
Put 3/4 cup of new gear oil in a squirt bottle, or pick it up with a syringe - squirt it in the fill hole. Screw in the fill plug, snug gently....with or without a washer,  and Bob's Your Uncle~! you just completed an important service on your scoot!
I'd do this ASAP - before going any place on your scoot. Now that you're changing your own gear oil - that quart bottle will last you quite awhile.....3/4 cup at a time!
If you see the oil again, or smell that hot smell - stop - trailer it to the dealer!
Stig