Author Topic: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)  (Read 5615 times)

MrKymco

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Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« on: May 12, 2011, 08:57:47 AM »
Ah yes, the fun we can have!  ::)

Hi guys and girls. I have a thread in the Agility 125 forum but thought I would bring the issue here after further investigation.

My Agility 125 with only 2300 miles on the clock is leaking oil like crazy, but only while riding / accelerating.  It is coming from the left side near the transmission case. In fact it looks as though it might start above the case (or on top) and run down. Tomorrow I am going to see if I can locate the exact location of the leak, but would like some direction as to what I am looking for, and where?

I have read of "overflow tubes," "crankcase ventilation,"  "compromised seals," etc. It's just so strange! History of the scoot service wise is first service at 600 miles, oil change with 600-650ml at 1300 miles, oil change with 600-650ml at 2100 miles. That's it! I specify the amount of oil to demonstrate I have not overfilled the scoot as to build too much oil pressure, and I always get every last drop of oil out of the scoot before putting new in, and of course check the level when done. Perfect!

It does NOT leak overnight. It does not leak when the scoot is not running. But today it leaked for the first time when just idling. At least so far as I know. Not a little oil, but quite a lot. At least it looks like a lot on the ground. But It must not be very much in reality because when I check the oil level it seems to not change very much.

So, if it is NOT a seal or gasket that is compromised, what else can it be? The oil is running DOWN the very back of the CVT cover. It doesn't run down the side of it, it doesn't hit the tire or wheel. It just drips / pours down the very back of the case. And the top of the case seems to be wet with it, as well as the bottom.

I am supposed to take it into the dealer for inspection next week, but if its something I can see and solve for myself, I will. I haven't an impact wrench or anything like that yet, so taking the CVT case / cover off is out of the question. But I have googled and read of tubes that need to be vented, bolts that may need to be tightened in some cases, and thought that could be the case here, too? At least that is what I am hoping for :(

Lastly, is Kymco good about warranty claims? I did have my first service at the dealer and have changed my oil twice since then (although only called for once) and that's about all there is to it. No other service was required except a valve inspection and I did that, too. Didn't touch a thing because they are within spec. And that couldn't cause a leak, anyway!  So I hope I am good to go with a warranty claim. I have been nothing but good to my scooter and need it for daily transport. So I need this resolved in my favor.

Thanks for any help and guidance :)


EDIT: It is NOT gear oil....

« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 09:16:51 AM by MrKymco »
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blue

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2011, 11:32:26 AM »
lmao did you you say warranty. too make a long story short they suck when it comes to warranty work.
Been there done that. just make sure you have all your papper work on the warranty with you. and let theam know you dont want theam to keep your scoot for a long time because the people that pay cash well come frist befor they touch your scoot.

old geezer

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2011, 01:08:05 PM »

sparko

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2011, 01:38:58 PM »
Maybe your valve cover was not in place properly when you put it back on after your valve clearance check. Try re-installing and hopefully you just forgot to torque it properly and didn't damage anything. Haven't done my agility valves yet but the valve cover on my Mercedes 79 diesel will leak if the gasket is not in place and seated properly.  :)

jmccoach

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2011, 04:52:49 PM »
From what you described I would have swore it was gear oil and you over-filled, but your edit says..."it's NOT gear oil".

MrKymco

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2011, 10:21:17 PM »
lmao did you you say warranty. too make a long story short they suck when it comes to warranty work.
Been there done that. just make sure you have all your papper work on the warranty with you. and let theam know you dont want theam to keep your scoot for a long time because the people that pay cash well come frist befor they touch your scoot.
thanks, blue. the bike is registered with Kymco so it should be on file. i will take whatever documents they ask of me. so for as the timeliness of the service i called MY dealer who is 25 miles away and he suggested i take it to a closer one, being the scoot is leaking while riding. i called them and they said if i took it in a week they could "get right to it." its a large powersports dealership who prides itself on speed of service, so hopefully yeah

i am hoping to at least have an answer as to what is the matter in a week. i just don't want Kymco to try and deny the claim, or drag their feet on it. with only 2300 miles on the scoot in 9 months i don't see how they could, but you never know!
Maybe your valve cover was not in place properly when you put it back on after your valve clearance check. Try re-installing and hopefully you just forgot to torque it properly and didn't damage anything. Haven't done my agility valves yet but the valve cover on my Mercedes 79 diesel will leak if the gasket is not in place and seated properly.  :)
thanks for the suggestion, sparko. not the case, however. no leaks coming from up front, running down, or otherwise. in fact i checked my valves AFTER it started leaking. the story sort of goes like this:

i have an exhaust leak of some sort as the scooter sounds loud. sort of like a mini Harley. so i decide i will try to locate this, and check my valves, too. just by way of routine maintenance. on the EXACT day i decide to do this i am riding the scooter for the first time in a few days. i ride to my destination, park for an hour, come out of the business and notice a drop of oil near my scoot. get down on my knees and yup, its dripping from my scoot! right off the rear of the CVT case

so i ride home and investigate further, while still going ahead with my planned maintenance. so i check for the exhaust leak. don't see anything unusual. i THEN check my valves. they are at spec, i don't touch a thing, replace cover and torque properly. i then figure 'why should i continue searching for the exhaust leak by dropping the pipe if the dealer has to see the scooter about the oil leak, anyway?' so i just let it be

today i had a neighbor start the bike as i crouched behind it to see exactly where the oil is coming from. no doubt about it, it is dripping OUT of the CVT case at the very most rear. their is a small "opening" at its rear about 1 inch long and that is exactly where its coming from. but since i haven't an impact wrench i can't see where it originates from inside the case, or what the cause might be
From what you described I would have swore it was gear oil and you over-filled, but your edit says..."it's NOT gear oil".
right. i never overfill anything. and i thought 'gear oil,' too. and who knows, maybe it is? but here is the problem with that. the oil that is coming out is dark / dirty like motor oil. when i drained my gear oil to check that possibility, it was clean. nearly new looking, in fact. so i put fresh gear oil in, perfectly clean and clear. started the scoot up, it starts to leak, the "oil" is dark / dirty. just like the oil in the engine

this leads me to believe it is indeed engine oil

thanks guys. any other comments are most welcome about possible culprit's, solutions, and the Kymco warranty process
« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 11:25:59 PM by MrKymco »
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sidthesloth

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2011, 12:29:17 AM »
I am not sure what model it was, but they did have a problem with cracks in the crankcase, replaced under warranty I believe. I think Axy might know more about this.
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Hoolander2

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2011, 03:47:00 AM »
Yes, Sid, it was Axy.  I think the same model too.  MrKymco, you don't need an impact wrench to take off the CVT cover and look in there.  Just a regular socket should do that.  The impact is for taking off the pulleys inside.  You won't hurt anything by taking off the cover.  Just be a little careful about the gasket.  However, if it's a bad crank seal or crack in the case, there's nothing you could really do about it.  If oil is inside the CVT then your belt may be saturated and need replacing.   
 
« Last Edit: May 13, 2011, 03:48:58 AM by Hoolander2 »

MrKymco

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #8 on: May 13, 2011, 06:28:05 AM »
^ thanks for the replies and all the info. i am taking it all in, and who knows? if i can get around to it i may take off the CVT cover and have a look since an impact wrench is not needed. heck, its going to come off at the dealer next week, anyway. if i don't put it back on quite right, i am sure they will!

so if it does need a crank seal or have a cracked crankcase, is this a big job? i suppose it is for the average DIY'er, but is it a big job for a professional shop with heavy duty tools and skilled techs?

scoots!

sparko

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #9 on: May 13, 2011, 02:21:53 PM »
http://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?topic=554.0

Let's hope it is not your crankcase. This is the story of a cracked crankcase (among other things). Yeah, open up that cvt case. Just crisscross your torqueing pattern when you tighten it up. Not too tight, just real snug. Use a torque wrench if you have one. Good luck. :)

grouchysmurf

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2011, 07:04:07 PM »
I had a cracked head on a china 150.  Leaked oil like crazy when running, but 30 minutes after turning it off the last of the oil would hit the pavement and it was done.  I went nuts looking for the source, it seemed to be coming from nowhere and everywhere.  When I finally found it, it was a hairline crack, just barely visible.  It's amazing how much oil could push through that tiny little crack.  So after buying a $50 head, an hour of fighting tupperware, and an hour or two on the motor, she was good as new.

My point?  Not sure that I have one... just that oil leaks can really suck.  Be glad you are under warranty!   

axy

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Re: Help Me Find An Oil Leak (Fun!)
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2011, 11:00:53 PM »
Yes, Sid, it was Axy.  I think the same model too. 

No, it was on P250S.
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