Bush mechanic attacks! Help needed with prev owner dodgy fix.

[JenkinsBradbury]

Hi all

I recently bought a cheap little Ninja 250 to get about on while my other bike is being fixed. It had a few little things wrong with it which iv fixed but last thing is a bit more complicated. Just a small oil leak from the bottom of the engine.

As far as I'm aware this model Ninja has a new oil drain bolt going by this image. http://www.kawiforums.com/attachment...drain-bolt.jpg

Now the dodgy part is there is a rag between the "old" sump bolt (including crush washer) and the case. Can someone tell me why someone would do this? Stripped thread on case??? Why would someone even remove this bolt? :S I'v never seen something like this before. At the moment it's leaking a roughly 1" size drop of oil overnight.


What would be the best way of fixing this leak. Is there any reason this bolt would need to come back out again if I can drain from the "new" location instead?


I'm probably only going to have the bike a few weeks and should just leave it as it is... but I just can't fight the urge to fix it properly lol

[JenkinsBradbury]

Obviously the best thing to do would be to take it out and check what's going on but I kind of need the bike to get around on atm and the leak isn't that bad. Just lining up options for if/when I decide to fix it.

[choneofakind]

Use threebond 1215 gray RTV. It's intended for sealing cases on big equipment and is totally oil proof Also cures firm and never gets gooey when sitting in oil. Goober up the threads and put the bolt back in.

It's only marginally more correct than the rag, but at least I'm confident it will work.

[JenkinsBradbury]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Use threebond 1215 gray RTV. It's intended for sealing cases on big equipment and is totally oil proof Also cures firm and never gets gooey when sitting in oil. Goober up the threads and put the bolt back in.

It's only marginally more correct than the rag, but at least I'm confident it will work.

Cheers! That sounds like the cleanest solution as long as the threads aren't too badly damaged and there aren't any cracks I guess. I was also recommended green loctite.

[choneofakind]

Green, eh? I have no experience with green so I have no idea on that

My experience with 1215 is through work and using it to seal industrial gearboxes. It's very similar to what yamaha calls Yamabond and recommends to seal engine cases after the case has been split for service. Actually, I've had 1215 sealing my case covers and valve cover for a couple months now.

[Kurgan]

Originally Posted by JenkinsBradbury

the leak isn't that bad

Oil drips, back tire runs over drip while leaning, fun does NOT ensue.

All oil leaks are bad on a motorcycle. Fix it ASAP or find a way to plug it even more until you can fix it.
.

[JenkinsBradbury]

Of course. But this leak is really only 1 or 2 drips max overnight. I'm not too worried.
Will see how the stuff recommended goes on Monday. If you don't hear from me again Kurgan was right lol

EDIT: Still here. Will see if the stuff works later today or tomorrow.

[Foxrider64]

My thought is: if the PO had to stuff a rag in there to slow the leak the threads are beyond the point of RTV sealing.

Obviously- check first before deciding on an option.

Option 1: Helicoil the hole to install new threads
Option 2: Rubber expanding drain plug
http://www.autozone.com/external-eng...ug/256832_0_0/

[JenkinsBradbury]

Ok Iv had a look. Threads aren't that bad. There is a small crack in the case though and the crush washer was damaged. Going to try the stuff recommended and a new crush washer.

Still waiting for oil to drain out so I can get a clean thread... I cleaned up the area and had a closer look and the hairline crack runs along the outside of the thread hole and back up a few mm.
Think this will still work or could it leak through the crack above the bolt?

Only stuff I have at hand I think might be suitable would be some "NEWTECH Space Age Repairer 'good as liquid steel' contains aluminium" that someone left here.

[JenkinsBradbury]

Well it's fixed, it's been a few hours and I went on a hard ride and there's no signs of leaks. Loctite rep happened to be at the store I went to and he recommended me two things, I forgot the first one so went with the second which was compound 660.

Waited 2 days for it to stop dripping, cleaned out the threads on engine and bolt best i could with brake cleaner and a brush, fitted a new washer then doused the bolt in compound. Left it to dry overnight and filled up this morning. Problem solved.

Will still continue to check it for the next few rides.