Stopping an Oil Leak on a Motorcycle

Stopping an Oil Leak on a Motorcycle

Are you someone who likes to fix his things? If the answer is yes, you can learn some important practical tips regarding motorcycle oil leaks. Even if the answer is no, you should learn to stop oil leaks on your motorcycle, as it will come in handy if you are stuck.

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Steps to stop an oil leak on a motorcycle:

1. Prepare the bike for inspection:

The first thing that should come to your mind when inspecting an engine for an oil leak is safety. Make sure that the engine is cool, and then only inspect the bike. You should place a newspaper below the engine to soak the oil if it falls while you are inspecting the leak. Use the jack stand to make sure that the bike is stable.

2. Detection:

The oil leakage can be at different spots on the engine. To detect the oil leak, you can inspect it with the naked eye to find the leak. If the leak is not visible to the naked eye, you can use a UV flashlight and glasses. Just pour some liquid into the tank and watch the liquid flow with the help of a UV flashlight. 

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The leak should be at one of the four spots: -

• Oil pan seal leak- The area between your engine block and the oil pan is prone to wear and tear over the bike's lifecycle. This can cause the engine oil to leak.
• Cylinder head gasket- A gasket leak is often characterized by smoke coming from the head gasket. But, there can be a leak without the smoke as well.

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• Oil filter- Oil filter leaks are common. Usually, it is because the seal on the oil filter is loose.

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• Hoses and tubes- Your bike might have some hose to pass the oil, depending on your motorcycle model. If the hose leaks, it is easy to detect the leak.

3. Repair:

The damage is very low in most cases, and the repair process can be undertaken easily. You can buy a sealant from the market and spray it over the surface with a leak. Alternatively, you can buy products from the market that can be coated on the tank to stop leakage. If the damage is beyond repair, it is possible that you might need the professional help of a mechanic.

If the damage is on the hose/tubes, you might need to replace the tube. If the damage is on the engine, you might need to take out the engine completely and take it to a mechanic to get it repaired.

Repairing an oil leak on your motorcycle is a skill that will come in handy. You can avoid a trip to the mechanic and save money and time.