oil leak from an overflow hose?

pinkandblack · June 5th, 2011, 08:21 PM

Hey everyone. Has anyone heard of a 2009 250R leaking oil from an overflow hose? I have never seen it before today. Plus she just started backfiring 2 days ago. It has happened three times. I have a slipon two brothers and it was loud! I accidentally dropped it going no more than 5mph as I was taking my license test. I dropped it gently and on the right side. I am leaking on the left side. Any help or advice would be appreciated!

Alex · June 5th, 2011, 08:34 PM

Are you sure it's oil? Gas or coolant would be more likely out of an overflow hose.

kkim · June 5th, 2011, 09:28 PM

which hose and what color was the fluid? pics would help.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 05:33 AM

No its oil. The hose is clear and can't post pics it is up to high.

rockNroll · June 6th, 2011, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandblack

No its oil. The hose is clear and can't post pics it is up to high.

Did you taste it?

Tell me, how would I find this hose on my bike?

dubojr1 · June 6th, 2011, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkandblack

No its oil. The hose is clear and can't post pics it is up to high.

hmmm... I don't think our bikes come with any clear hoses...

Are you the first owner?

Cuongism · June 6th, 2011, 07:46 AM

Isn't there a clear overflow hose from the bottom of the air filter box (sorry I can't check, tossed that box fairly quick)? Oil does get in there as well so it kind of makes sense with the drop. Double check that your oil level is still correct.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 06:41 PM

I called Kawasaki and I am not part of the recall... When laying down under the bike on the drivers left side (with farrings off) the leak is coming down from above the kick stand. There is a clear hose and it is coming slowly from it. Also, my left farring has a spongy thing attached to it and it looks like it has been leaking for a while. I wiped everything down and fired her up again. I steadied the throttle to 5000, I turn it off and boom...drip drip drip. When the plastic is on, I don't notice it cause of the sponge. I am going to call the dealership I bought it from. I am not the original owner

. The fluid is definately oil, but my level is fine. I took a pic on my phone of the oil, I will post shortly. If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

kkim · June 6th, 2011, 06:46 PM

AFAIK, there is not a clear hose on the left side of the bike near the sprocket. A picture would really help.

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

So this is the fluid, I had to take a pic of my phone haha. The hose is 3-4 inches above the kickstand.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 07:08 PM

and my plastics are on right now...my hubby would kill me to take them off again, right now.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

Did you taste it?

Tell me, how would I find this hose on my bike?

No did not taste it!!

The hose is 3-4 inches above the kickstand.

It is frustrating me to an all new level. And my level is to the top of the glass.

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 07:13 PM

That would be oil level is to the top.

kkim · June 6th, 2011, 07:23 PM

to the top of the sight glass? is the bike vertical and on a level surface when you are reading the oil level?

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 07:28 PM

Yes to the top of the sight glass. But it has been like that since I bought it. Do you think there is too much oil? If so, why now the drip?

kkim · June 6th, 2011, 08:19 PM

is the bike vertical and level when you are reading the oil level and not on the side stand?

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 08:29 PM

Vertical and level. Here is a pick of the hose.

Cuongism · June 6th, 2011, 08:37 PM

Kinda hard to see, but looks like the overflow out of the airbox. It really is the only clear hose that I know of. This pic is from Dustin's bike when we took his airbox out. Meredith, can you confirm that it's attached to that?

kkim · June 6th, 2011, 08:51 PM

I think cuong is correct. remove the right side panel and remove the airbox cover so you can check the inside of the airbox for oil.

some pics to show you how to access and remove the airbox cover.
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10090

pinkandblack · June 6th, 2011, 08:51 PM

Haha I don't even know where that is! I can't confirm, but it looks like the hose. It does run over the kick stand and under the seat. I will have to take my faring off again to confirm, but on my day off (Friday). If it is that part, can you guesstimate as to what is wrong? It does not drip unless I run the bike. I didn't ride today and I have no new drips.

Cuongism · June 6th, 2011, 09:51 PM

There's a few reasons why there may be oil in your airbox. The crankcase connects to the airbox through the crankcase vent hose so the most common reason is an overfilled crankcase. Another reason may be blowby from constantly being in a very high rpm, but it shouldn't be enough to leak. Last reason may be from your tipover and gravity kicking in.

If your oil level is correct, it's pretty hard for the crankcase to get pressurized enough to get oil into your airbox. I believe there's a way to drain your airbox if someone with one can chime in. Once drained, see if it still leaks oil from riding.

When we removed Dustin's airbox, he did have oil in his airbox as well.

Cuongism · June 6th, 2011, 09:59 PM

Here's a pic of how to drain the oil from the airbox. Let me know if you need a better pic.

DaBlue1 · June 7th, 2011, 11:08 AM

Like someone else mentioned the oil leak you see may be from your tip over, but I am inclined to think that your tip over may have resulted in a little fuel running into the airbox as well. Gas will cause the oil on the air filter to thin out a little. Also if the air filter is over saturated with oil it will also drain out the airbox hose. Like kkim said, open the airbox and have a look inside.

HKr1 · June 7th, 2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuongism

Here's a pic of how to drain the oil from the airbox. Let me know if you need a better pic.

Check that nipple

pinkandblack · June 10th, 2011, 07:06 PM

Ok, so we changed the oil, oil filter, and opened the air box. My air filter is saturated with oil. We ordered a K&N air filter and leaving the bike unassembled until it comes in on Monday. We put the air box back in to ensure no crap gets in. Thanks so much for all of your help!! It hasn't leaked since I last posted, so you all were correct! I'm pretty sad I can't ride until Monday though, it is finally nice weather up here in Vancouver. Damn the Pacific Nortwest for being so rainy!!

kkim · June 10th, 2011, 07:19 PM

clean the stock foam filter, reoil, reinstall and go ride. no need to buy another filter... they are reusable.

LoneRonin · June 11th, 2011, 04:53 AM

is it actually dripping on to the ground or just onto your fairing? You mention it being on the kickstand side, it could just be a buildup of chain gunk dripping down from the front sprocket.

chitor · June 12th, 2011, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

clean the stock foam filter, reoil, reinstall and go ride. no need to buy another filter... they are reusable.

I thought the stock foam filter does not need oil? Does the stock filter needs re-oiling? What kind of do you use and how much to use?

Thanks.

This oil dripping happened to me once last week, I saw some oil on the floor just in front of the rear tire after a ride... I cleaned the bike and observed it for a week. No oil on the garage floor after a week, so I just ignored it. I'll check it out again after a long ride.

DaBlue1 · June 12th, 2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitor

...I thought the stock foam filter does not need oil? Does the stock filter needs re-oiling? What kind of do you use and how much to use?

The stock filter needs to be re-oiled. It takes very little, a real light application. The service manual says,

•Clean the element [A] in a bath of high-flash point solvent,
and then dry it with compressed air or by shaking it.
•After cleaning, saturate a clean, lint-free towel with SE, SF, or SG class SAE 30 oil and apply the oil to the element by tapping the element outside with the towel.
•Visually check the element for tears or breaks.
•If the element has any tears or breaks, replace the element.

You can use the same oil you put in the engine on the filter.

pinkandblack · June 17th, 2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

clean the stock foam filter, reoil, reinstall and go ride. no need to buy another filter... they are reusable.

Why not buy a K&N? I will never need a filter again... I have had no leaks since we took everything apart. There was way

too much oil though. Aren't dealerships suppose to check stuff like that before selling the bike? Again thanks everyone for all of the advice!

kkim · June 17th, 2011, 10:34 PM

was your bike ever on it's side, as in...

? if so, the oil will flow out the crankcase vent hose and guess where they route it? ...yep, to the airbox. so, whatever spills out goes into the airbox and saturates the filter.

June 5th, 2011, 08:21 PM	#1
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	oil leak from an overflow hose? Hey everyone. Has anyone heard of a 2009 250R leaking oil from an overflow hose? I have never seen it before today. Plus she just started backfiring 2 days ago. It has happened three times. I have a slipon two brothers and it was loud! I accidentally dropped it going no more than 5mph as I was taking my license test. I dropped it gently and on the right side. I am leaking on the left side. Any help or advice would be appreciated!

June 5th, 2011, 08:34 PM	#2
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	Are you sure it's oil? Gas or coolant would be more likely out of an overflow hose. __________________________________________________ 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)

June 6th, 2011, 07:08 PM	#11
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	and my plastics are on right now...my hubby would kill me to take them off again, right now. __________________________________________________ Meredith

June 6th, 2011, 07:13 PM	#13
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	That would be oil level is to the top. __________________________________________________ Meredith

June 6th, 2011, 07:28 PM	#15
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	Yes to the top of the sight glass. But it has been like that since I bought it. Do you think there is too much oil? If so, why now the drip? __________________________________________________ Meredith

June 5th, 2011, 09:28 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	which hose and what color was the fluid? pics would help.

June 6th, 2011, 05:33 AM	#4
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	No its oil. The hose is clear and can't post pics it is up to high.

June 6th, 2011, 07:46 AM	#7
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	Isn't there a clear overflow hose from the bottom of the air filter box (sorry I can't check, tossed that box fairly quick)? Oil does get in there as well so it kind of makes sense with the drop. Double check that your oil level is still correct.

June 6th, 2011, 06:41 PM	#8
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	I called Kawasaki and I am not part of the recall... When laying down under the bike on the drivers left side (with farrings off) the leak is coming down from above the kick stand. There is a clear hose and it is coming slowly from it. Also, my left farring has a spongy thing attached to it and it looks like it has been leaking for a while. I wiped everything down and fired her up again. I steadied the throttle to 5000, I turn it off and boom...drip drip drip. When the plastic is on, I don't notice it cause of the sponge. I am going to call the dealership I bought it from. I am not the original owner . The fluid is definately oil, but my level is fine. I took a pic on my phone of the oil, I will post shortly. If anyone has any advice, I would greatly appreciate it!

June 6th, 2011, 06:46 PM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	AFAIK, there is not a clear hose on the left side of the bike near the sprocket. A picture would really help.

June 6th, 2011, 07:23 PM	#14
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	to the top of the sight glass? is the bike vertical and on a level surface when you are reading the oil level?

June 6th, 2011, 08:19 PM	#16
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	is the bike vertical and level when you are reading the oil level and not on the side stand?

June 6th, 2011, 08:37 PM	#18
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	Kinda hard to see, but looks like the overflow out of the airbox. It really is the only clear hose that I know of. This pic is from Dustin's bike when we took his airbox out. Meredith, can you confirm that it's attached to that?

June 6th, 2011, 08:51 PM	#19
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	I think cuong is correct. remove the right side panel and remove the airbox cover so you can check the inside of the airbox for oil. some pics to show you how to access and remove the airbox cover. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10090

June 6th, 2011, 09:51 PM	#21
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	There's a few reasons why there may be oil in your airbox. The crankcase connects to the airbox through the crankcase vent hose so the most common reason is an overfilled crankcase. Another reason may be blowby from constantly being in a very high rpm, but it shouldn't be enough to leak. Last reason may be from your tipover and gravity kicking in. If your oil level is correct, it's pretty hard for the crankcase to get pressurized enough to get oil into your airbox. I believe there's a way to drain your airbox if someone with one can chime in. Once drained, see if it still leaks oil from riding. When we removed Dustin's airbox, he did have oil in his airbox as well.

June 6th, 2011, 09:59 PM	#22
Cuongism ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cuong Location: San Diego Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250r, 2007 Daytona 675 Posts: A lot.	Here's a pic of how to drain the oil from the airbox. Let me know if you need a better pic.

June 7th, 2011, 11:08 AM	#23
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Like someone else mentioned the oil leak you see may be from your tip over, but I am inclined to think that your tip over may have resulted in a little fuel running into the airbox as well. Gas will cause the oil on the air filter to thin out a little. Also if the air filter is over saturated with oil it will also drain out the airbox hose. Like kkim said, open the airbox and have a look inside.

June 10th, 2011, 07:06 PM	#25
pinkandblack ninjette.org member Name: Meredith Location: Vancouver, WA Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 27	Ok, so we changed the oil, oil filter, and opened the air box. My air filter is saturated with oil. We ordered a K&N air filter and leaving the bike unassembled until it comes in on Monday. We put the air box back in to ensure no crap gets in. Thanks so much for all of your help!! It hasn't leaked since I last posted, so you all were correct! I'm pretty sad I can't ride until Monday though, it is finally nice weather up here in Vancouver. Damn the Pacific Nortwest for being so rainy!! __________________________________________________ Meredith

June 10th, 2011, 07:19 PM	#26
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	clean the stock foam filter, reoil, reinstall and go ride. no need to buy another filter... they are reusable.

June 11th, 2011, 04:53 AM	#27
LoneRonin ninjette.org sage Name: Jason Location: Mississauga Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250r Posts: 634	is it actually dripping on to the ground or just onto your fairing? You mention it being on the kickstand side, it could just be a buildup of chain gunk dripping down from the front sprocket.

June 17th, 2011, 10:34 PM	#31
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	was your bike ever on it's side, as in... ? if so, the oil will flow out the crankcase vent hose and guess where they route it? ...yep, to the airbox. so, whatever spills out goes into the airbox and saturates the filter.

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