Causes of Leaking Oil?

Have you ever experienced the same thing as me? I think most people who have private vehicles, motorbikes, have experienced this. Oil dripping onto the garage floor and creating puddles. Sometimes this makes many motorbike users worried. At first I was too, but is this really a sign of damage to the motorbike? The real answer after I tried to find out is yes. Not all parts of the motorbike are damaged, if oil leaks and leaves puddles on the garage floor, it is a sign that some components in the motorbike are damaged. Otomodify will summarize some damage to motorbike components that cause oil to leak and create puddles on your garage floor.

Leaking seal or gasket

The most common cause of oil leaking and even dirtying the garage floor is due to damage to the seal or gasket. The seal or gasket functions to keep the oil in the engine. A damaged gasket or seal, either due to wear or damage due to age, can no longer work optimally. The parts that often have problems are:

• Crankcase seal
• Cylinder head seal
• CVT cover seal

Not only worn and damaged, if the installation of the seal or gasket is not correct or not precise, it will also cause oil to leak.

Damaged or loose oil cap gasket

This oil gasket can be damaged due to frequent opening and closing. It should also be noted when doing a monthly oil change to make sure the oil cap is tightened. It sounds trivial. But this can also be one of the causes of oil leaks.

Oil release during service

Sometimes, during routine service, there is residual oil stuck to the bottom of the engine. This residual oil can drip and make you think there is a leak, when in fact there is not. Usually this oil drip will stop in 1-2 days.

Damage to the oil drain bolt

The bolt functions to tighten the parts of the engine. Loose bolts, especially threaded bolts, cannot be tightened perfectly. As a result, oil can seep from the open gap. In addition, the area around the bolt can also crack due to age or installation errors, this can worsen oil leaks.

Collision or friction under the engine

This is one of the causes that is quite serious and must be addressed immediately before it gets worse. If you have ever had a collision or the bottom of your motorbike has ever hit a speed bump, you should immediately check for fine cracks there. Cracks in the crankcase, even though they are fine, can cause oil to seep and create puddles on the terrace floor.

Overheating or often forced to speed up the engine

The engine should be warmed up before use. An engine that is forced to run before it is hot can cause the seal to break. The damaged seal can then no longer hold the oil. What happens next is that the oil leaks out.

An engine that is too hot can also damage the seal. The seal can harden and lose its elasticity. The seal can eventually crack. In addition, oil that is too hot will become thinner and easier to leak out through small gaps.

Wrong oil filling

This oil mistake often occurs, especially if you fill your motorbike oil yourself at home. Excessive oil or exceeding the capacity of the space can cause oil to leak. This is because the pressure in the engine increases and forces the oil out through the weakest gap, usually around the seal or gasket. In addition to filling beyond the capacity of the space, using poor quality oil can also be one cause of oil leaks. This quality is not determined by price. What is meant by quality oil is oil that is in accordance with the motorbike specifications. What happens if you use the wrong oil? oil can change viscosity quickly. Oil that is too thin or too thick can affect seal performance and accelerate damage. Which will then cause oil leaks.

How to deal with leaking oil

After knowing the various causes of leaking oil, here are practical steps you can take to overcome the problem of dripping oil from your motorbike:

Identify the source of the leak

Before taking further action and actually causing the oil to leak even more, you need to know the problem inside your motorbike.

Steps:

• Clean the dirty engine area from oil
• Use a flashlight to check the bottom of the engine, around the oil cap, gasket and drain bolt
• Start the engine for a while and see if oil leaks out immediately

Replace the leaking seal or gasket

If the leak is from the crankcase, cylinder head, or CVT cover, it is likely that the seal or gasket can no longer be used or is no longer suitable for use.

Solution:

• Immediately replace the seal or gasket with a new one
• Do not patch with glue or liquids that are not suitable
• Use original or equivalent quality replacement components

Check the oil cap

A loose oil cap sounds trivial but needs to be checked because it can be one of the causes of oil leaks. Steps:

• Open the oil cap and check the condition of the ring
• Replace the ring if it is flat, hard, or cracked
• Install the oil cap tightly but not excessively

Check and replace the drain bolt

A problematic drain bolt can cause oil to leak

Solution:

• Make sure the bolt is tightened to the appropriate torque
• If the thread is damaged, use the re-thread tap method or install a heli-coil
• Use a Washer that is still good and according to size

Do not overfill when changing oil

This is a common mistake that is trivial but often overlooked

Solution:

• Use a dipstick or oil measuring window to check the oil level
• Fill slowly and according to the manufacturer's recommended capacity

Regular service at a trusted workshop

Sometimes the problem of oil leaks is not immediately visible. That's why it's important to do regular service at a trusted workshop. Also use quality oil that is in accordance with the motorbike's specifications. Benefits of regular service:

• Early detection of leaks or oil seepage
• Checking seals, gaskets, or drain bolts

Tips to prevent oil leaks

• Change oil regularly
• Use quality oil
• Check the condition of seals and gaskets regularly
• Do not overfill when filling oil
• Tighten the oil cap and drain bolt properly
• Clean the engine regularly
• Avoid haphazard modifications
• Use the motorbike reasonably and avoid overheating
• Check the cooling system
• Avoid letting the crackcase hit the asphalt
• Perform regular service at a trusted workshop

By knowing the causes and how to overcome them, you can prevent more serious damage due to oil leaks. Don't wait for the leak to get worse—take care of your motorbike now.