Oil Leak on 6 week old bike, less than 100 miles on it

Jax1512 · July 5th, 2009, 07:46 PM

Looking for advice as to why my 09 250 is leaking oil. I bought the bike from the dealership about 6 weeks ago, I have less than 100 miles on it. I am going to contact the dealer tomorrow, but was looking to see if this was a common thing?

The oil is actually clean and there wasn't much coming out, however, enough to cause concern in my mind.

Thank you,
Jackie

noche_caliente · July 5th, 2009, 07:59 PM

well, in order to help, we need to know where it is coming from? the underside of the bike where the oil filter is, where the spark lplugs are.... more info would be helpful

Jax1512 · July 5th, 2009, 08:03 PM

Sorry, this most likely won't be much more helpful, but it doesn't appear to be a gasket leak, it's coming from a drain tube located directly underneath the bike near the kick stand area.

Nickds7 · July 5th, 2009, 11:07 PM

Check for tightness. Torque it to 14.5pounds.

Ken08Ninja · July 6th, 2009, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax1512

Sorry, this most likely won't be much more helpful, but it doesn't appear to be a gasket leak, it's coming from a drain tube located directly underneath the bike near the kick stand area.

Have you checked to see if it is infact oil? If your coolant is full, it may be pushing some out the overflow hose.

Jax1512 · July 6th, 2009, 06:37 AM

It smelled like oil, however I will double check it to be sure, thanks for the suggestion

tinng321 · July 6th, 2009, 07:30 AM

Why go thru all this when you still have warranty?
Just bring it back to the stealership.

Jax1512 · July 6th, 2009, 08:19 AM

That was what I was planning on doing, however I just wanted some input on what it may be. Still learning about the maintenance of my bike.

OldGuy · July 6th, 2009, 09:54 AM

Well if it is in fact coming from the line by the kick stand there could be some type of blow by. Verify that someone did not overfill the oil. Take a 2x4 and place it under the kick stand to get the bike almost level - it won't be exactly level but close enough. Check the oil level in the sight glass is should be around the two marks. If it is out of sight high someone overfilled the bike.

You can use a "turkey baster" to suck some oil out. If you are real adventurous you can try to use the drain plug to get a little out but that would be the hardest if you haven't done it before.

If the oil is high call the dealer so you get the facts on the record and see what they want you to do.

kkim · July 6th, 2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax1512

That was what I was planning on doing, however I just wanted some input on what it may be. Still learning about the maintenance of my bike.

take a white piece of paper and put it under where the drip is occurring. what color are the drips and what does it smell like? take pictures and post if you can.

BlueRaven · July 6th, 2009, 07:39 PM

when he checks his oil level should he check when its a cold or warmed up engine?

Alex · July 6th, 2009, 08:33 PM

Either way. If it's a completely cold engine, just make sure the bike is level and check the oil in the sight glass. If the engine has been started, then make sure it is fully warmed up (preferably ridden a short while), then turn the engine off and give it a few minutes to fully drain, only then put the bike level and check the sight glass.

Only chance for a false reading is if the engine is only partially warmed up, and oil is still contained elsewhere in the engine and hasn't fully drained back down to the oil pan; if the oil isn't up to temp that draining can take longer than expected. The outcome will be an oil level that looks low in the sight glass, but if you just wat a bit longer it will eventually show an accurate reading.

g21-30 · July 7th, 2009, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuy

You can use a "turkey baster" to suck some oil out.

Don, have you tried this on your bike? I tried it on mine and there is no way the tip of the baster is getting near the oil, even with a straw extension on the end. Too many components interfering with getting the baster in the housing.

BlueRaven · July 8th, 2009, 07:04 PM

When i look at the sight glass with a cold engine its over half but when i go for a quick ride and then shut the engine off after a couple of minutes is at the half way mark. Maybe i was tilting the bike a little too much on the right side when it was cold which seems unlikely as i was holding it while bent down and if it was leaning too much i would've fought to keep the bike up with one hand on the handlebar. I put about 1.5 litres of oil.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax1512

Sorry, this most likely won't be much more helpful, but it doesn't appear to be a gasket leak, it's coming from a drain tube located directly underneath the bike near the kick stand area.

Did you ever find out what was going on? I have the same leak and I have a 2009 with 5000 miles. I have put less than 2000 myslef and just noticed the leak after riding to work. I appreciate your experience!

wtfh4xx · June 6th, 2011, 07:44 PM

I do know that there is a RECALL on certain ninja 250's concerning leaking oil through the crankcase. Something to do with porosity of the metal, causing oil to drop on the rear tire and cause wrecks.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 07:45 PM

Yeah, I checked on that already...No go. Not my bike.

DaBlue1 · June 7th, 2011, 10:48 AM

The two hoses that extend to the bottom of the bike are lines to the coolant tank and gas tank. There is a third hose that is shorter but may not extend the the bottom of the bike. On my bike I have a short hose attached to the bottom of the airbox. This hose allows excess oil to drain out of the air box. If your oil that you see is clear, the air filter may be over saturated with oil or you may have some oil being sucked back into the airbox via the crankcase breather tube.

July 5th, 2009, 07:46 PM	#1
Jax1512 ninjette.org member Name: Jackie Location: Battle Creek, MI Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 16	Oil Leak on 6 week old bike, less than 100 miles on it Looking for advice as to why my 09 250 is leaking oil. I bought the bike from the dealership about 6 weeks ago, I have less than 100 miles on it. I am going to contact the dealer tomorrow, but was looking to see if this was a common thing? The oil is actually clean and there wasn't much coming out, however, enough to cause concern in my mind. Thank you, Jackie

July 5th, 2009, 07:59 PM	#2
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	well, in order to help, we need to know where it is coming from? the underside of the bike where the oil filter is, where the spark lplugs are.... more info would be helpful __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

July 6th, 2009, 09:54 AM	#9
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Well if it is in fact coming from the line by the kick stand there could be some type of blow by. Verify that someone did not overfill the oil. Take a 2x4 and place it under the kick stand to get the bike almost level - it won't be exactly level but close enough. Check the oil level in the sight glass is should be around the two marks. If it is out of sight high someone overfilled the bike. You can use a "turkey baster" to suck some oil out. If you are real adventurous you can try to use the drain plug to get a little out but that would be the hardest if you haven't done it before. If the oil is high call the dealer so you get the facts on the record and see what they want you to do. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

July 6th, 2009, 07:39 PM	#11
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	when he checks his oil level should he check when its a cold or warmed up engine? __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

July 6th, 2009, 08:33 PM	#12
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Either way. If it's a completely cold engine, just make sure the bike is level and check the oil in the sight glass. If the engine has been started, then make sure it is fully warmed up (preferably ridden a short while), then turn the engine off and give it a few minutes to fully drain, only then put the bike level and check the sight glass. Only chance for a false reading is if the engine is only partially warmed up, and oil is still contained elsewhere in the engine and hasn't fully drained back down to the oil pan; if the oil isn't up to temp that draining can take longer than expected. The outcome will be an oil level that looks low in the sight glass, but if you just wat a bit longer it will eventually show an accurate reading. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 5th, 2009, 08:03 PM	#3
Jax1512 ninjette.org member Name: Jackie Location: Battle Creek, MI Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 16	Sorry, this most likely won't be much more helpful, but it doesn't appear to be a gasket leak, it's coming from a drain tube located directly underneath the bike near the kick stand area.

July 5th, 2009, 11:07 PM	#4
Nickds7 ninjette.org guru Name: Nick Location: Sacramento, California. Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r Posts: 379	Check for tightness. Torque it to 14.5pounds.

July 6th, 2009, 06:37 AM	#6
Jax1512 ninjette.org member Name: Jackie Location: Battle Creek, MI Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 16	It smelled like oil, however I will double check it to be sure, thanks for the suggestion

July 6th, 2009, 07:30 AM	#7
tinng321 ninjette.org sage Name: Tin Location: NJ Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 black 250r (sold); '09 black zx6r Posts: 903	Why go thru all this when you still have warranty? Just bring it back to the stealership.

July 6th, 2009, 08:19 AM	#8
Jax1512 ninjette.org member Name: Jackie Location: Battle Creek, MI Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Black Ninja 250 Posts: 16	That was what I was planning on doing, however I just wanted some input on what it may be. Still learning about the maintenance of my bike.

July 8th, 2009, 07:04 PM	#14
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	When i look at the sight glass with a cold engine its over half but when i go for a quick ride and then shut the engine off after a couple of minutes is at the half way mark. Maybe i was tilting the bike a little too much on the right side when it was cold which seems unlikely as i was holding it while bent down and if it was leaning too much i would've fought to keep the bike up with one hand on the handlebar. I put about 1.5 litres of oil. __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

June 6th, 2011, 07:44 PM	#16
wtfh4xx Opinionated individual :) Name: SecretNinjaMan Location: Nor Cal Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninjette Special Edition (red/black) Posts: 342	I do know that there is a RECALL on certain ninja 250's concerning leaking oil through the crankcase. Something to do with porosity of the metal, causing oil to drop on the rear tire and cause wrecks. __________________________________________________ Yoshi slip on, shimmed 2 washers, zip tie throttle mod, pre-load #2, snorkel delete 2010 SE 250R! Miles in the saddle: 1000

June 6th, 2011, 07:45 PM	#17
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	Yeah, I checked on that already...No go. Not my bike. __________________________________________________ Meredith

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