Seems an oil leak, need advice

[Angel6]

Dear friends,

I have a GSXR 400 94". 2 days ago I saw some oil on the floor apparently leaked from my bike. I saw this only on that day and I don't see it after that. What could this be? Please advice. Do I have to worry about anything if I don't see any oil leaks anymore? I Guess the oild leaks from the exhaust pipes area beneath the bike. I maybe wrong. Im not an expert on bike mechanical stuff.

Thank you

[w00dzy]

Take your fairings off and double check for leaks..

Check your oil level, if all if well it probably is..

Was it defo oil? Could it have been coolant?

[Angel6]

Hi W00dzy, Thank you for replying. I bought the bike on 24th Dec (yeah happy xmas ) anyway I don't know what type oil is being used as I asked the shopkeeper to service it, change oil and coolant. Please be kind enough to give me more details of your concerns.

I guess that can't be coolant as the feeling I got when I touched seems like oil (Viscosity). Maybe Im wrong, as I remember coolant's Viscosity is very lower than oil (I maybe wrong).

Anyway about the Oil level, what you are trying to say is if the oil level is above the Max level then there is a chance that the excess oil will be leaked somewhere?

I will take the fairings (cowling?) and check what it is. I'm a newbie.

I wonder why it leaked only on that particular day.

[w00dzy]

No problem..

It was thinking more along the line of, if the oil level is below minimum then the problem is ongoing.

It is unlikely that the garage would have filled it up to high..

Does seem strange that it only leaked the once.. give everything a once over and double check whilst the fairings are off.. last thing you would want is oil leaking onto the brakes or tyres!

Get some pictures up if you see any oil where it shouldn't be. After checking the oil level run the bike with the fairings off to check for leaks..

Would recommend picking up a haynes manual if you dont already have one.. Or someone on here might have a electronic version you can use

Good luck!

[Angel6]

Hi W00dzy,

Thank you again. I have a few more questions plz.
1. Where is the oil level indicator. I just saw an indicator which I don't know whether it is rear break fluid indicator. Can you guide me to accurately pin point the oil level indicator?

2. Can Dipstick be used to determine the oil level?

3. Can too much oil cause oil leaks. Can you summarize and explain how this happens. I want to learn this. Thank you in advance.

I just found out that it may not be a 1 day oil leak incident. I just saw a few drops today.

[Angel6]

hi W00dzy,

I found the oil level indicator. My bad (newbie). right, now I see that when the bike is on side stand, the oil window shows a brown background which I believe normal. When I keep the bike on the vertical level the whole window is black (shows oil) also not to mention the "F" mark is on top (top edge of the window). Now does it mean I have to drain some oil out?

I checked the dipstick, there is NO dipstick. Just a black cap on the engine surface which has no long stick. Just like a bottle cap. Is it normal or the oil dip stick is broken by the previous owner?

[Awynn]

No you would not expect to find a dipstick on these bikes, the oil level should be between the two marks on that window with the bike upright. You say it has just had an oil change at the shop and yet the oil is black, sounds like you've been had there?? Are you sure the oil is black?

[M1KE]

Oil goes black quickly after a change if its been ridden a few miles, unless it was flushed first too. The oil should be between the middle of the window when the bike is upright. I'd wait a bit longer to see if it still leaks, it could just be a bit got caught in the belly pan when it wass serviced and it leaked out when you got it home.

[Angel6]

Hi all,

This is what happened. I bought the bike on 24th Dec 09, it was serviced before that date and I came home and parked bike and I didn't see any oil leak for couple of days. Suddenly 3 days ago I saw oil on the floor. I cleaned the bike and kept the bike again and after 1 days saw some couple of drops. I only ride it usually on the weekend. If the oil is overfilled can it be leaked when it is parked? Im hoping it is a simple oil overfilled situation which I plan to change oil today with the air filter too and also keep oil level upto 2/3 mark of the oil level window. If the problem persists then God bless me.

Ah I will change the oil filter too today.

Any idea how much of oil i must put? I see on the engine surface 2900ml. Is that fine?

[Sligeach]

if the previous owner added too much oil there is a chance the rocker cover gasket could be torn. this is a rubber seal that is visable the whole way around the top of the engine. i will see if i can get a pic to demonstrate this.

LABELED number 2
as regards amount of oil, i cannot say accurately but i know my ZX6 takes 3.4 liters with an oil and filter change